Da Lat Highlands: Pine Forests, French Villas, Waterfall Canyoning & Artisanal Arabica Coffee

Known affectionately as the "City of Eternal Spring", Da Lat in Lam Dong province was founded as a high-altitude retreat by French colonizers in the late 19th century seeking refuge from the tropical heat of the southern plains.

Vietnam's Specialty Coffee Capital

Thanks to volcanic red basalt soil and cool mountain mist, the surrounding valleys of Cau Dat produce award-winning Bourbon and Typica Arabica beans that are celebrated in hipster specialty cafes across Saigon, Tokyo, and Melbourne.

"Da Lat feels like an alpine dream in the middle of Southeast Asia, with pine-scented breezes, roaring waterfalls, and cozy wood-burning fireplaces," says coffee roaster Hoang Nam.

Top Da Lat Adventures

• Datanla Waterfall Canyoning: Abseil down thundering 25-meter waterfalls, cliff jump into deep pools, and natural rock water-sliding with licensed guides.
• Crazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse): Explore the surreal, Gaudi-inspired architectural wonderland of twisting tree trunk corridors and fairy-tale animal rooms.
• Tuyen Lam Lake & Truc Lam Zen Monastery: Ride the pine forest cable car to the serene lakeside Buddhist monastery surrounded by bonsai gardens.

Evenings are best spent at the vibrant Da Lat Night Market indulging in piping-hot "Vietnamese Pizza" (Banh Trang Nuong) grilled on charcoal braziers with quail eggs and pork floss.