Da Lat, the place I fell in love with.

The French, in an attempt to find a temperate climate similar to Europe for a resort, "discovered" the Lam Vien plateau in the early 20th century. I, on the other hand, "discovered" Da Lat by chance, at the invitation of a friend in Vung Tau. Taking a night bus, I arrived in Da Lat while it was still dark, shivering in the biting cold, gazing in awe as the city slowly emerged from the early morning mist, illuminated by the rays of the rising sun.

We, the young people of that era, leisurely explored a dreamy Da Lat along winding, sloping roads, occasionally stopping to take photos with the yellow wild sunflowers, eagerly descending to Datalan Waterfall together, and marveling at the towering pine trees at the entrance to the Golden Valley tourist area… Not only nature and people, but life in Da Lat also captivated us with the simple sounds of the guitar and singing of the mother and daughter who owned the Cung To Chieu music cafe, and the warm cup of soy milk by Xuan Huong Lake…

Check in at the clay sculpture set to the famous song about Da Lat, "Who Goes to the Land of Cherry Blossoms?" in Da Lat.

A few years later, I returned to Da Lat. My old friends were gone; my lover was by my side. And strangely enough, Da Lat seemed different, more cheerful and dreamy. We struggled, breathless, up the slopes of the Nga Ba Tinh intersection on our motorbike, then trembled with fear as we descended the winding road into the valley to find Ma Rung Lu Quan. But no matter how steep the climbs and descents, we were satisfied by the dreamy scenery of the purple house by the lake. I nervously took a picture of my fragile lover leaning against the purple trees along the road leading to the house on the hill in the late afternoon mist. This trip to Da Lat also allowed me to climb Lang Biang peak, wander through the market, buy countless things to take home, and experience countless petty arguments.

This was our third visit to Da Lat. The highland city hadn't changed much, but we were very different. The young couple we once were were now a family with two little ones toddling along behind us. Da Lat's weather is capricious, with rain and sunshine all in one day. Wrapped in our matching raincoats, we cruised along the roads we'd traveled during our youth. Sometimes the two children were so tired they'd fall asleep in their mother's arms or on their father's shoulder, or in the morning light streaming through the window on our old train journey. And Da Lat is different now; our culinary journey is now driven by the children's demands: honey-grilled chicken, grilled chicken skin, salmon… followed by avocado ice cream, a treat we'd devour several cups of at once to satisfy our cravings. Then, at night, when the children were fast asleep, the scene became incredibly peaceful. My wife and I would sit together, gazing at the city – a peace unlike any we'd experienced before, a peace of happiness. So, Da Lat isn't just for young, single people; it's also perfect for young families.

I've been to many places, to many famous cities, but for me, Da Lat remains a city I've fallen in love with. Not a possessive love, but a love that lingers on. Every time I return to Da Lat, that love gently envelops all my emotions, evoking beautiful memories, soothing my weariness, and allowing me to take a deep breath to satisfy my longing.

LE NGOC SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/da-lat-noi-toi-da-trot-yeu-post800441.html