Lam Dong Travel Guide

Welcome to the new Lam Dong, a province that now stretches from the misty highlands of Da Lat to the sunny beaches of Binh Thuan and the jungle plateau of Dak Nong. With its recent administrative merger, Lam Dong has become one of Vietnam’s most diverse and attractive destinations, blending cool mountain air, lush coffee plantations, tropical coastlines and rich cultural heritage into a single itinerary. This travel guide will help you discover the best of Lam Dong, from how to get there, to the best places to explore, and its specialties you should try.

General information

Lam Dong, long known as the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, has recently undergone a dramatic transformation. Following the Government’s 2025 provincial restructuring, Lam Dong merged with neighboring Dak Nong and Binh Thuan provinces. This has made Lam Dong the largest province in Vietnam in terms of both area and population. The result? A land that stretches from cool, pine-covered highlands to sun-drenched beaches, offering an impressive diversity of tourism experiences within a single provincial boundary.

In addition to Da Lat – a city likened to a European mountain town thanks to its cool climate and vast pine forests, the new Lam Dong province now includes the volcanic landscape of Dak Nong with its waterfalls and basalt plateaus, and the coastal beauty of Binh Thuan, highlighted by its exceptional beach tourism in Mui Ne – Phan Thiet. This combination opens up completely different experiences in just one trip – imagine starting your day sipping highland coffee in Da Lat and ending it by watching the sunset on the beach near Phan Thiet.

Weather in Lam Dong & Best time to visit

In the central Central Highlands, especially around Da Lat, Bao Loc and Di Linh, thanks to the terrain being mainly mountains and plateaus, the climate here is mild and pleasant all year round. At an altitude of 800 to 1,500 m above sea level, the average temperature here ranges from 16°C to 23°C, with cool nights and warm, pleasant days. This climate is the reason why Da Lat is known as the “City of Eternal Spring”.

As you head south, towards the coastal region of Binh Thuan, the weather changes significantly. Along the coast, the tropical climate is much warmer and drier, with average temperatures ranging from 26°C to 32°C. Rainfall is more frequent from May to October, but the rest of the year is usually sunny – ideal for swimming, kitesurfing or seafood parties by the sea.

The best time to visit Lam Dong depends on your interests. If you love outdoor adventures like mountain climbing, flower gardens, pine forests or Da Lat’s hiking trails, the dry season from December to March is ideal – cool, dry and full of colour. This is also festival season, with events like the famous Da Lat Flower Festival. For those who love beach holidays, November to April is ideal, with clear blue skies and warm sea breezes.

With a little planning, you can easily experience two different climates in the same trip, whether exploring the cool highlands or relaxing on the golden beaches. Just make sure you pack enough for both seasons: a light jacket for the highlands and summer clothes for the coast.

Getting to Lam Dong

By air

To save time, flying is the best option with the main airport Lien Khuong (DLI), only about 30km from Da Lat. This airport has daily domestic flights from major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Da Nang, etc. From Lien Khuong airport, you can easily travel to famous destinations by taxi or private car.

By road

Lam Dong is conveniently connected with many major highways passing through, allowing you to travel by car or long-distance bus if coming from the provinces of Central or Southern Vietnam. For example, from Ho Chi Minh City, National Highway 20 will take you straight to Da Lat in just about 6 hours. Coming from the Central region? Routes from Phan Thiet and Lagi (formerly Binh Thuan) now lead directly to the South of Lam Dong, allowing you to combine beach time with a highland vacation in just one trip.

If you are coming from the west or northwest, such as Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), the routes QL28 and QL27 will help you access the old Dak Nong region and reach Da Lat. These routes are especially popular with motorcyclists who want to enjoy the majestic mountain scenery and cool weather.

Getting around Lam Dong

After the merger, getting around Lam Dong will require a little planning. Within Da Lat city, getting around is easy and convenient. You’ll find plenty of taxis, ride-hailing services (like Grab), and motorbike taxis for quick trips around town. If you want to explore on your own, motorbike rentals are affordable and widely available, but we don’t recommend this option as Da Lat has quite a few steep slopes and fog can reduce visibility and make the roads slippery.

Continuing to the larger towns of Bao Loc, Di Linh or Dak Nong, you can travel by minivan or public bus. Although the cost is cheap, the travel time will be longer due to the winding roads. Consider renting a private car or motorbike, which will take you to see the majestic basalt plateaus of Dak Nong, dotted with waterfalls, craters and small villages. Further south, in the coastal areas of Binh Thuan, transportation becomes more diverse. If you stay in towns like La Gi or Ham Thuan Nam, you can use local taxis, bicycles or even electric cars that some resorts provide.

Best Places to Visit in Lam Dong

Central Highlands (Da Lat and Surroundings)

Da Lat City

Da Lat City is known as the “City of Thousands of Flowers” or “City of Fog”. Famous for its cool and romantic climate all year round, Da Lat is an ideal destination for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing trip. The city attracts tourists by the beauty of pine hills, clear blue lakes, colorful flower gardens and ancient French-style buildings. In addition, the city is also famous for local products such as coffee, strawberries and wine. This is the most prominent tourist destination in Lam Dong.

Bao Loc City

As the second largest city in the province, Bao Loc is often overshadowed by Da Lat, but few know that this city is a hidden gem in the southern highlands with a peaceful atmosphere and fewer tourists. Famous for its B’lao tea, the landscape surrounding Bao Loc is filled with coffee and tea plantations as well as majestic waterfalls. Attractions in the city include Dambri Tourist Area, Dambri Waterfall, Dasara Waterfall and Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda. Bao Loc is also an ideal destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring nature.

Pongour Waterfall

This is the most beautiful and majestic waterfall in the Central Highlands, which was once recognized by King Bao Dai as “The most beautiful waterfall in the South” during a trip. Pongour waterfall is also known as the 7-storey waterfall, with a height of more than 40m, 100m wide, flowing through a system of ancient stone slabs in the shape of steps. Surrounded by a large primeval forest with extremely rich and diverse vegetation. Stopping at Pongour waterfall, you will have the opportunity to admire the natural picture that is likened to a fairyland. The spacious space and poetic natural scenery help you participate in outdoor activities such as camping, taking photos, ….

Madagui Ecological Area

Madagui Forest is part of Nam Cat Tien National Park. This place has an extremely rich flora and fauna. Coming to Madagui tourist area, you will be amazed by a completely different world filled with chirping birds, the quiet space will help you relax and escape the noise and bustle of the city. At Madagui tourist area, you will experience many unique games. All games bring joy and challenge to players. Some outstanding games that you should participate in are: Zipline sliding, Thien Ma horse racing track, mountain climbing, Zorling rolling ball, Madagui paintball shooting… In addition, this place is also chosen by many people to organize team building because of its large scale and fresh air.

Lang Biang Mountain

Langbiang Peak is one of the famous destinations that you should not miss when traveling to Da Lat. This place is known for its majestic, poetic natural beauty, along with the unique culture of indigenous peoples that attract many tourists who love to experience and explore. In addition, this is also a top place to hunt clouds in Da Lat that is sought after by many tourists. Not only that, when coming here, visitors can also experience fun activities, participate in picnics, hunt clouds, explore the beauty of the Central Highlands mountains and forests or enjoy the fresh air on the Lam Vien plateau…

If you want to challenge yourself, visitors can also participate in climbing to conquer Langbiang Peak. Langbiang Peak is the highest mountain in Da Lat, so standing from the top of this mountain, you can admire the panoramic view of the poetic and magical city of Da Lat.

Cat Tien National Park

This is the largest tropical forest ecosystem conservation area in Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and a world natural heritage. The park is home to endangered animals such as gibbons, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Trekking through the forest is an activity chosen by many tourists when coming here, especially adventure enthusiasts. Walking in the forest, you will have the opportunity to observe wild animals grazing freely or rare plant species that are hard to find elsewhere such as Go Bac Dong, Tung Co Thu … In addition, you can also cycle or even camp overnight to enjoy the natural space. This is a paradise for nature lovers and a must-see destination for anyone who wants to experience authentic wildlife in Vietnam.

Coastal and Island Attractions (Former Binh Thuan Zone)

Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Mui Ne Sand Dunes – also known as Flying Sand Dunes, Red Sand Dunes, Pink Dunes – is one of the prominent destinations in Lam Dong. The vast stretches of sand with rich colors and shapes not only create a breathtaking landscape, but are also an ideal destination for adventure tourism and sports activities such as skateboarding, jeep riding, etc. In addition, Mui Ne Sand Dunes is located right next to the Phan Thiet coast with blue water, creating a beautiful contrast with the red-orange sand dunes of the hills, bringing an unforgettable visual experience. From the top of the hill, you can observe the vast space of the sand dunes and the vast ocean, providing many impressive beautiful views.

Phu Quy Island

The farthest island in Lam Dong, Phu Quy Island boasts pristine and beautiful scenery with clear blue waters, majestic rocky beaches and simple life in fishing villages. It takes only a few hours by ferry from Phan Thiet, but those who make the trip will be rewarded with stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and a friendly local community. Popular activities include scuba diving, cycling around the island and enjoying fresh seafood. This is Lam Dong’s island frontier – quiet, beautiful and full of local character.

Specialties in Lam Dong

Grilled rice paper (Da Lat)

Also known as Vietnamese pizza, grilled rice paper originated in Da Lat, a famous snack that most tourists want to try. The vendor will place the rice paper on a charcoal stove, cover it with Chinese sausage, pork floss, eggs, vegetables, sauce and chili sauce, then grill. When the cake is cooked, fold it and enjoy.

Chicken hotpot with perilla leaves (Da Lat, Bao Loc)

This dish is very popular in Bao Loc and Da Lat. Vietnamese perilla adds a minty, slightly sour taste, balancing the softness of the chicken and the rich broth. Locals believe that it helps digestion and warms the body – making it an ideal dish for Lam Dong’s cool climate. This hot pot is often served with mushrooms, bamboo shoots and vermicelli, making it a popular dish at family gatherings and tourist meals.

Strawberries

When talking about specialties as gifts when traveling to Lam Dong, it is impossible not to mention strawberries. With a favorable climate, this is a suitable place to grow strawberry varieties. Strawberries are not only big and beautiful but also retain their natural sweetness. You can easily visit strawberry gardens and buy them as gifts. Local markets also sell many types of strawberry products such as jam, syrup, wine, etc.

Tea (Bao Loc)

Bao Loc has a cool climate and fertile soil, ideal conditions for tea plants to grow. The altitude of 800-1,000 metres above sea level and high humidity create favorable conditions for thick-leafed tea plants and rich flavours. The tea here has a natural aroma and a sweet aftertaste.

Avocado ice cream (Da Lat)

A delicious and nutritious dessert, combining soft, fatty ripe avocado with shaved ice, condensed milk, and sometimes coconut or durian. Found in cafes and dessert stalls in Da Lat, this is a local favorite that has quickly become an Instagram favorite.

Fried fruits

With a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, Da Lat is also famous for its diverse dried foods such as sweet potatoes, taro, jackfruit, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, artichoke, etc. Dried fruits still retain their delicious and attractive flavor. In addition, dried persimmon specialties are also very famous and delicious in Da Lat. All are carefully preserved and beautifully packaged, becoming a popular souvenir for tourists.

Artichoke

Artichoke is a popular plant in Lam Dong. Both its flowers and leaves have high culinary and medicinal value. In addition to artichoke extract and tea, visitors can also buy fresh artichokes to prepare dishes. Some popular dishes include artichoke stewed with pig’s feet, fried artichokes, artichoke jam, etc.

Wine

While Vietnam is not famous for wine, Da Lat is completely different. Dalat wine is famous for its distinctive flavor, using grapes and strawberries grown in the surrounding valleys. Each wine has its own characteristics in color, flavor, and tannin. Local wines are light, fruity, and best served chilled. Some vineyards offer wine tasting services, and wine shops around the city sell attractive bottles of wine for visitors to take home.

Can Wine

A national specialty originating from the traditions of the M’Nong and K’Ho people, ruou can is a fermented wine made from forest leaves, combined with brown rice and husks, served to the community with long bamboo straws in large earthenware jars. You will often see this wine at cultural festivals or homestay experiences near Dak Nong or Cat Tien.

Sour snakehead fish soup

Now part of the expanded territory of Lam Dong, the former coastal region of Binh Thuan is famous for this spicy and sour soup. Made from snakehead fish, pineapple, tomatoes, tamarind and fresh herbs, the dish is both refreshing and nutritious, especially on hot days at the beach. Many coastal restaurants serve it with rice and grilled seafood.

Seafood

Thanks to this merger, Lam Dong now has its own coastal area! In Lagi and Ham Thuan Nam, visitors can enjoy fresh grilled seafood such as scallops stir-fried with scallion oil, squid, grilled oysters, and sea snails with tamarind sauce. The evening seafood market is bustling, affordable and full of authentic sea flavors.

From Da Lat’s cool pine-covered hills to Dak Nong’s untamed forests and Binh Thuan’s golden beaches, the new Lam Dong offers an unmatched variety of landscapes and experiences in one journey. If you’re ready to explore Vietnam’s most diverse province, contact us today — we’ll help you create the perfect itinerary to see it all, your way.