Dalat's Top Five Sights
Dalat is a national architecture treasure, and much of the fun lies in exploring the city on foot.
Here are a few of the sights that should not be missed.
• 1 • Bao Dai's Villa #3 (Summer Palace)
Le Hong Phong Street. Open 7 to 11 am, 1:30 to 4 pm.
GPS N11°55.813' E108°25.725'
Emperor Bao Dai built several villas in Dalat, and this one, with its 1930's period furnishings left intact, is extraordinary.
This 25 room house, built in 1933, includes everything, from furniture to pictures, and has been left intact, giving visitors the opportunity to experience life as it was for Vietnam's ruling family in its heyday.
Located in a pine grove 2km southwest of the central city, it is best accessed by taxi.
• 2 • Hang Nga Crazy House
#3 Huynh Thuc Khang Street.
GPS N11°56.085' E108°25.856'
Calling architect Dang Viet Nga's exceptional hotel and café "Crazy House" really doesn't do it justice, although that's her own term.
She has built an extraordinary Gaudi-esque concrete treehouse reflecting vegetal forms, with each room having its own nature-inspired theme.
Close inspection reveals strong structural integrity, and custom-designed furniture pieces are individually crafted to set into specific curvilinear spaces within each room.
You can stay here, and your room will be off-limits to visitors.
Nga acts as the hostess and ticket-taker, and she and her staff are charming.
The house is within easy walking distance of center-city.
• 3 • Lam Dong Provincial Museum
#4 Hung Vuong Street. Tel: (063) 820-387. Open Monday through Saturday 7:30-11:30 am, 1:30-4:30 pm.
GPS N11°56.459' E108°27.564'
This pretty, informative museum combines archaeology, ethnography, and the military history of the province.
Among the highlights are a 3,000 year old stone xylophone (you can play a stone xylophone yourself upstairs), and interesting exhibits relating to the K'ho, Ma, and Churu ethnicities who live in the province.
The museum is located in a historic villa built in 1935, owned by the father of Bao Dai's wife.
• 4 • Dilapidated Villas along Tran Hung Dao Street
Walking west from the Lam Dong Museum, you'll encounter a dozen or so architecturally significant villas that were expropriated by the Vietnamese government in 1975.
Several false starts were made in preservation, and most have fallen into disrepair.
You can walk around them, and poignantly view their faded glory.
Because building materials were top-notch, they have stood against the elements.
Exceptional architects were at work here, and at least one (#27), has been restored, and is an active residence.
No tours are available, but you're free to wander around the villas that are not private residences.
• 5 • Cap Treo Cable Car
Soaring high above Dalat, you'll see exceptional views of the countryside surrounding Dalat.
The cable car terminus is at Robin Hill, just south of Dalat on Highway 20.
From here, a twelve minute cable car ride takes you to Tuyen Lam Lake, where you can visit the Truc Lam Pagoda.
From Tuyen Lam, also on Highway 20, you can either taxi back to Dalat, or repeat your journey backwards.
