Visiting Da Lat

Thursday, February 28, 2013 | 17:25:09

(VOVworld) - “ A misty city”, “A city of pine forest”, “A flowery city” , “A City of cheery blossoms”, and “A Paris miniature” are popular names that have been given to the central highlands city of Da Lat. Blessed with a moderate climate, the city is cool throughout the year. It’s one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist destinations.

Da Lat is known as a flowery city because it is the largest flower growing area in Vietnam. Visiting Da Lat, tourists first stop at the city’s flower garden where a wide variety of colorful flowers blossom. Da Lat’s flower garden is an exhibition of the largest and fullest collection of Da Lat flowers. Here there are more than 300 varieties of flowers including roses, chrysanthemums, gladiolus, orchids, mimosa, and hydrangeas blossoming throughout the year. In addition to traditional types of flowers, there are also dozens of imported flowers in the garden. Everywhere in this beautiful city, along the streets and in front of the house gates, are fresh flowers. Nguyen Minh Anh from Ho Chi Minh City says: “There is a wide range of flowers in this city. Some of them are new to me. I like wild roses climbing on the fences and rose bushes planted along the streets. White apricot flowers, hydrangeas and small bushes of wild flowers make Da Lat special to me".

Travel companies offer different types of tours of Da Lat including one-day city tours, tours of beautiful spots, camping tours, fishing tours, mountain climbing tours, and themed tours. Above all, ecological, hunting, cultural and festival tours are the most popular. Nguyen Minh Phong, who works for Vietrip Travel Company, says: “Visitors to Da Lat are usually interested in visiting Lang Biang because they want to experience the cool of the mountain. Taking tours of the countryside, tourists can learn how Da Lat people grow flowers and coffee and weave silk as well as enjoy wine made by Nam Bang people”.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, a tourist from Hanoi says he was very interested in attending a community cultural event of the K’Ho ethnic minority group. “This was the first time that I’ve attended a cultural event of the K’Ho ethnic minority people. It was a very impressive experience. We drank rice wine, sampled local specialties, learned to play musical instruments and danced around the fire. I liked wearing the traditional costume of the K’ho people most as it made me feel like a K’ho person”.

A backpacking tour is also a good way to explore Da Lat. Many tourists say they have a special feeling visiting Da Lat that inspires them to explore it more. Rick, an American tourist, says: “It’s a very different country. I’ve been here sometimes and seen a lot. This time, I came back again. Tomorrow, I’ll take a motorbike and go around the city. The best way to get around is on motorbike. I can stop anywhere I want, so motorbike is the best way. Sometimes, I get lost and I can see new things.