Hello! Welcome to my first post in 2020! Wishing everyone a fruitful year ahead! :) Our annual family 2019 brought us to Dalat and Nha Trang, Vietnam! Compared to their world-famous counterparts like Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, you are probably not familiar with these two cities. After reading these series of posts, I am sure that you will fall in love with these cities like I do!
Day 1
- Departure from KL to Nha Trang
- Travel from Nha Trang to Dalat (~3.5 hours)
- Check in Christina's Bich Dao Villa
- Dinner at Artist Alley Restaurant
Day 2
- Breakfast at villa
- Cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Monastery
- Explore Lam Vien Square and Doha Cafe, shopping at Big C
- Visit Crazy House and lunch at Le Chalet Café
- Visit Dalat Railway Station
- Stop by Tiem Ca-phe Co Bong for coffee and Kem Bo Thanh Thao for avocado ice-cream
- Visit St Nicholas Cathedral and Domaine de Marie Church
- Dinner at Restaurant 33
Day 3
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Linh phuoc pagoda
- Visit Garden Hydrangea and Sunny Farm
- Lunch at Little Vietnam Kitchen
- Visit Datanla Waterfall (main highlight: Alpine roller coaster)
- Visit Clay Tunnel
- Check in Dalat Wonder Resort
Day 4
- Buffet breakfast at resort and explore the resort area
- Lunch at
- Travel from Dalat to Nha Trang
- Check in Rosaka Nha Trang Hotel
- Dinner at Lac Canh Restaurant
- Take a stroll along Nha Trang Beach and visit Nha Trang Skylight rooftop beach bar
Day 5
- Visit Po Nagar Cham Tower
- Explore Nha Trang Cathedral
- Lunch at Rainforest Cafe
- Check in Cam Ranh Fusion Hotel and chill at hotel
Day 6
- Buffet breakfast at hotel
- Relax at the resort
- Return from Nha Trang to KL
Air Asia is now having direct flights from KL to Dalat! This provides a hassle-free option to travellers who just want to spend time in Dalat, without having to land at Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh. Anyway, our round trip flight ticket from KL to Nha Trang was about RM500 per person, excluding additional cost for checked-in baggage. Unfortunately, there isn't any direct flight from Singapore to Nha Trang or Dalat as of Feb 2020.
Hiring a driver is the best way to travel around Dalat. We engaged the service (i.e. 7-seater SUV with an English-speaking driver) from Vietnam Budget Rental. Mr Andy (likely the owner of the agency) was very responsive and professional in replying emails and addressing to our concerns. Our driver, Mr Bao was an equally helpful and friendly guy. He is a true local born in Dalat, and we were lucky to meet his wife at the famous avocado ice-cream shop.
Cost breakdown:
US$170 (2-way between Dalat and Nha Trang) + US$138 (2 full-day in Dalat) = US$308
*US$99 was paid as deposit, the remaining US$209 or VND 4,848,000 was paid directly to driver at the end of the trip.
Upon arrival, we found out that a lot of attractions are very close to each other, and wondered if taking Grab/taxi around is a more cost-effective option. Nonetheless, I am happy with the smooth service provided by Vietnam Budget Rental that saves us time from waiting for a taxi or bargaining for a good deal for those that don't run on meter.
Nha Trang has the same tropical weather as KL and Singapore. Known as the City of Enternal Spring, Dalat has a mild and cool climate all-year round, thanks to its hilltop location at 1,500m above sea level. Particularly, the temperatures are lower during December and January. Warm clothing is essential. Avoid travelling during rainy season that lasts from April to October for a better experience.
L'angfarm is a must-visit place for edible souvenirs made from local produce. Some popular choices include dried fruits, nuts, artichoke tea and coffee. There are a lot of branches of L'angfarm in Dalat that you can hardly miss. Certain branches also offer buffet that allows you to enjoy all the goodies and drinks at a reasonable price. A gentle reminder to do your shopping in Dalat as the same products are priced slightly higher in Nha Trang.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Departure from KL to Nha Trang
- Travel from Nha Trang to Dalat (~3.5 hours)
- Check in Christina's Bich Dao Villa
- Dinner at Artist Alley Restaurant
Day 2
- Breakfast at villa
- Cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Monastery
- Explore Lam Vien Square and Doha Cafe, shopping at Big C
- Visit Crazy House and lunch at Le Chalet Café
- Visit Dalat Railway Station
- Stop by Tiem Ca-phe Co Bong for coffee and Kem Bo Thanh Thao for avocado ice-cream
- Visit St Nicholas Cathedral and Domaine de Marie Church
- Dinner at Restaurant 33
Day 3
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Linh phuoc pagoda
- Visit Garden Hydrangea and Sunny Farm
- Lunch at Little Vietnam Kitchen
- Visit Datanla Waterfall (main highlight: Alpine roller coaster)
- Visit Clay Tunnel
- Check in Dalat Wonder Resort
Day 4
- Buffet breakfast at resort and explore the resort area
- Lunch at
- Travel from Dalat to Nha Trang
- Check in Rosaka Nha Trang Hotel
- Dinner at Lac Canh Restaurant
- Take a stroll along Nha Trang Beach and visit Nha Trang Skylight rooftop beach bar
Day 5
- Visit Po Nagar Cham Tower
- Explore Nha Trang Cathedral
- Lunch at Rainforest Cafe
- Check in Cam Ranh Fusion Hotel and chill at hotel
Day 6
- Buffet breakfast at hotel
- Relax at the resort
- Return from Nha Trang to KL
Transport
Air Asia is now having direct flights from KL to Dalat! This provides a hassle-free option to travellers who just want to spend time in Dalat, without having to land at Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh. Anyway, our round trip flight ticket from KL to Nha Trang was about RM500 per person, excluding additional cost for checked-in baggage. Unfortunately, there isn't any direct flight from Singapore to Nha Trang or Dalat as of Feb 2020.
Hiring a driver is the best way to travel around Dalat. We engaged the service (i.e. 7-seater SUV with an English-speaking driver) from Vietnam Budget Rental. Mr Andy (likely the owner of the agency) was very responsive and professional in replying emails and addressing to our concerns. Our driver, Mr Bao was an equally helpful and friendly guy. He is a true local born in Dalat, and we were lucky to meet his wife at the famous avocado ice-cream shop.
Cost breakdown:
US$170 (2-way between Dalat and Nha Trang) + US$138 (2 full-day in Dalat) = US$308
*US$99 was paid as deposit, the remaining US$209 or VND 4,848,000 was paid directly to driver at the end of the trip.
Weather
Nha Trang has the same tropical weather as KL and Singapore. Known as the City of Enternal Spring, Dalat has a mild and cool climate all-year round, thanks to its hilltop location at 1,500m above sea level. Particularly, the temperatures are lower during December and January. Warm clothing is essential. Avoid travelling during rainy season that lasts from April to October for a better experience.
Souvenirs
L'angfarm is a must-visit place for edible souvenirs made from local produce. Some popular choices include dried fruits, nuts, artichoke tea and coffee. There are a lot of branches of L'angfarm in Dalat that you can hardly miss. Certain branches also offer buffet that allows you to enjoy all the goodies and drinks at a reasonable price. A gentle reminder to do your shopping in Dalat as the same products are priced slightly higher in Nha Trang.
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