Da Lat

  Located on Lam Vien (Langbian) high lands, part of the greater Central high lands of Vietnam (Cao Nguyen Trung Phan), Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong province, is 1500 m above sea level and is 305 km from Ho Chi Minh City. The name Da Lat originates from the hill tribe people in this region.  It literally means Stream of the Lat people. 

The first person to explore this region was Mr. Nguyen Thong. Approximately 25 years later, in 1893,Dir.Yersin, a French immunologist discovered Dankia high lands while on an expedition to the Langbian high lands. Dankia is 10 km from the city of Da Lat. This region reminded Dr. Yersin of his homeland, and particularly the similarities between Da Lat's evergreen forests and those in the Swiss Alps. He made the recommendation to the government to form a resort town with health spas for government officials and foreign dignitaries in Dankia.

Not long after, Dr. Tardiff, also a French citizen, had an expedition through this region and visited Dankia and Da Lat. He recommended Da Lat to the government due to the favorable water source and locale. At the time, South Vietnam was under French rule, and was known as Cochinchina. The Governor of Cochinchina personally visited Dangkia and Da Lat and decided to take Dr. Tardiff's recommendation.

Since French authorities established their rule on this land, Dalat bore all the marks of a European city with its numberless villas of French architecture. Dalat is more attractive with its beauty and temperate climate (17oC in average); it also abounds with romantic lakes, beautiful waterfalls, green pine forests and various flowers in blossom all year round. Visitors will enjoy an unforgettable wonderful time when visiting "The City of Eternal Spring".