Vietnam Travel Tips

Da Lat Tips

Postcard
At this time, postcard shops are not yet available here. So if you like to buy and send postcards of Dalat to your friends, remember to bring some from Hochiminh City to Dalat.

Dress Warmly
Most people here dress warmly though out the day, especially at night. Some parents will put some kind of head gear for their kids when they go out to night market. Room temperature is always 10-degree while air conditioning controls shows 16-degree. So remember to dress warmly!

Local coffee – a surprise!
The service of local coffee is unique and come with small serving. First-timers will find it strange that the waiter/ waitress is serving you an empty glass. Yet soon you will find out that coffee level will slowly rise to almost half coffee glass.
It normally takes about 2 minutes to get your perfect cup of local brewed coffee. Please add water if you find the coffee a bit too strong.
The stainless steel container serves together, your empty coffee cup acts as filter and somewhat similar to Kopi-Tiam cloths filter.

Spice up your life!
Vietnamese food is not actually hot, but the regular chili sauce is twice as hot as those that you can find in Malaysia. In Da Lat, people consume more chilies than those in Hanoi & Saigon, particularly when you eat noodles.

Pine Forest
Due to the high altitude and cooler climate, pine forest can be considered as native and most prominent plants at this highlands setting.
The sound of the wind cutting through those pine needles can be quite soothing at times. But it may sound scary at night.

Beef Noodles
The beef rice noodles are common food source for locals, especially for breakfast.
It is quite delicious after adding the chilies and fish sauce. Vegetable, lime, mints and bean sprouts are served generously although the noodles itself is inexpensive.

It's Cold in the Clouds
As a hill town, Da Lat has plenty of sights for the family. Easy access from Saigon and a choice of hotels for Backpackers or Family. A large market and a lake. There's even a copy of the Eiffel Tower.
There are plenty of eating places and sights to see outside the town and I would suggest strongly trying the 'restaurant' on top of the market for the local food.
The French Architecture is outstanding and if you want to look at a cloud first-hand, take an oxygen mask and head for the top of the hill. Photos to come...