Da Lat - Center of convergence and development

Da Lat was chosen as the center of the new province because of the convergence of past marks and future prospects. This is considered the foundation and opportunity for Da Lat - Lam Dong to affirm its inherent values and promote its potential and strengths to become a modern city not only domestically but also internationally.

Da Lat is the administrative and political center of the new Lam Dong province after the merger of the three provinces of Lam Dong, Dak Nong and Binh Thuan.

● SELECTED LAND

In the past, Dalat has always been the choice of the authorities to build a beautiful, developed, luxurious and prosperous land.

The book Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi, volume 12, engraved on page 6, clearly records about this land: "To the west of the upper region is the Da Duong River (today's Da Dang River), the river is not deep but wide, with many crocodiles".

That was probably the first time this land was located in the country's geography. During the reign of King Tu Duc, mandarin Nguyen Thong thoroughly studied this area and concluded that this place: "The climate is autumn all year round, it is a rich land", "heaven and earth have given us an endless treasure...".

Documents about Da Lat are recorded through Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks. Photo courtesy of Lam Dong Provincial Historical Archives Center

The French also conducted many expeditions in the Central Highlands, but it was not until 1893 that the expedition of Doctor Alexandre Yersin at the request of the French authorities brought many results. Archives show that Doctor Yersin discovered Da Lat at 3:30 a.m. on June 21, 1893.

In his memoirs, Dr. Yersin wrote: “The coolness of the air made me forget my fatigue.” Attracted by the fresh climate and charm of the strange land, Dr. Yersin suggested to Governor-General Paul Doumer to build a resort city here.

And, not only King Tu Duc, the French also chose this plateau. In 1897, Governor-General Paul Doumer decided to build a European city on the Lam Vien plateau.

The process of formation and construction of Da Lat has some differences compared to other cities in Vietnam. Because, from the beginning, this place was built to become a resort center, a European city on the plateau.

Villa in Da Lat in 1957. Photo taken at Lam Dong Provincial Historical Archives Center

● DA LAT URBAN PLANNING FROM VERY EARLY

Documents kept at the Lam Dong Provincial Historical Archives Center (under the Department of Internal Affairs) show that planning work in Da Lat was carried out very early by talented people. For example, Paul Champoudry - a man with a lot of experience in urban planning who worked at the Paris City Hall, the first Mayor of Da Lat initiated the construction of the first project on urbanization of Da Lat and was approved by Governor General of Indochina Jean Beau in 1906 to build this place into the "summer capital" of Indochina.

In 1923, Ernest Hébrard - a talented French urban architect who participated in the planning of the Greek capital of Athens and many European cities, made a plan for Dalat at the same time as the plans for the cities of Hanoi, Saigon, Cho Lon, Hai Phong and Phnom Penh. Accordingly, Dalat would be a model high-altitude resort city; the city was designed according to the principles of: "Garden city planning". However, due to the turmoil of wars in the world, the plans were not implemented or only partially implemented.

By 1943, according to the Dalat renovation project of architect Lagisquet, Dalat was built as a central administrative center, a resort city, an educational - training, cultural and tourist center... Dalat at this time entered the peak of the French colonial period, many public and religious works appeared with Asian architecture, enriching the city's landscape. And at this time, Dalat became the real capital of Indochina.

Although experiencing many ups and downs, through the planning, thoughtful constructions, integrated into the natural landscape, have been formed, creating a rich urban landscape of Da Lat with valuable heritages in the fields of planning and architecture.

And at the end of March, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee submitted a document to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction requesting appraisal and approval of the overall adjustment project of the Master Plan of Da Lat city and surrounding areas until 2045. Accordingly, Da Lat is a national tourism development urban area and an urban area with heritage characteristics. It is the administrative - political, economic - cultural, scientific - technical center of Lam Dong province; has an important position in terms of national defense and security for the Central Highlands region and the whole country.

A section of cog railway. Photo taken at Lam Dong Provincial Historical Archives Center

● A PLACE WHERE DIVERSE CULTURES OF REGIONS CONVERGENCE

The development of Dalat is closely linked to the cog railway. This is a unique asset of this city that the whole world is still very interested in today.

The railway from the coastal area of Thap Cham to the Da Lat plateau is only 84 km long but it took 30 years to build (1902 - 1932). The route has 16 km of cogwheels allowing the train to cross the height of 1,500 m above sea level with a regular gradient of 12% and has the most beautiful station in Indochina. From this route, goods from the coastal plain are transported to the plateau to build the transportation system, cultural and educational facilities, a series of hotels, dormitories, villas... at a rapid speed.

Documents at the National Archives Center IV also show that in the early years of the 20th century, Chinese merchants took trains to Da Lat to trade and exchange goods with ethnic minorities. And from the highlands, wood, tea, Cau Dat coffee, vegetables, and flowers were also brought down to the plains. Residents from other places also followed this route to Da Lat to live. Da Lat is not only economically prosperous but also a convergence of diverse cultures from different regions.

Since the railway was built, it only takes 48 hours to travel by train from Hanoi to Da Lat, so the number of tourists coming to Da Lat for vacation has increased, especially those from the North. Da Lat tourism has started to develop since then.

The cog railway is a historical symbol of transportation and tourism in the highlands. The Government has a policy to restore this cog railway and Lam Dong province is also carrying out activities so that the highlands will soon resound with train whistles.

With a special history of urban formation and the harmony between climate, landscape, architecture, people... that not every place in Vietnam has, Da Lat is currently converging all the potential to continue to expand.

Lien Khuong International Airport

● HARMONIOUS CONNECTION POINT

According to Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, Da Lat City has many favorable factors in terms of regional connectivity, traffic infrastructure and is already a global tourism brand.

In terms of connectivity, Da Lat is located about 160 km northwest of Gia Nghia City (Dak Nong) via National Highway 28; about 160 km southeast of Phan Thiet City (Binh Thuan Province) via National Highway 28B and National Highway 20. Dak Nong is a mountainous administrative unit, Binh Thuan is a coastal administrative unit; Da Lat becomes a harmonious connection point between the three provinces after the merger.

Lam Dong province is making efforts to implement expressway projects.

The connection is further expanded because Da Lat is located on National Highway 20, which connects directly to the Southeast region and Ho Chi Minh City; National Highway 27 connects Lam Dong with the Central Highlands provinces; National Highway 55 connects with the South Central Coast provinces. Thus, not only is Da Lat a connecting center for 3 provinces, it is also an effective connecting center between the Central Highlands, South Central Coast, Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region.

Connectivity will be further enhanced as Lam Dong province is implementing expressway projects: Da Lat - Nha Trang, Tan Phu - Bao Loc and Bao Loc - Lien Khuong. In addition, currently, of the three provinces, there is only Lien Khuong International Airport located in Duc Trong district (Lam Dong province). Expressways and airports are great advantages that will help the new Lam Dong province after the merger have many opportunities to develop not only domestically but also to take off to reach regional and international levels.

Lam Dong is a pioneer and leading locality in the country in high-tech agricultural production.

In addition to connectivity efficiency, leadership in high-tech agriculture and tourism is an “unique” advantage of Da Lat – Lam Dong in the development process.

After 20 years of pioneering and leading the country in high-tech agricultural production, Lam Dong currently has 69,637 hectares of high-tech production (accounting for 21.2% of the province's cultivated area); 8 high-tech agricultural production areas; 14 high-tech agricultural enterprises; over 465 hectares of smart technology application, focusing on vegetables, flowers, strawberries and tea... This is the basis for Lam Dong to gradually move towards becoming a national and international high-tech research and production center.

Da Lat - City of Flower Festival

In terms of tourism, Da Lat is currently developing strongly and has become a global brand. This is demonstrated when, in addition to being the Flower Festival City, at the end of 2023, Da Lat was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Creative City in the field of music. By the end of 2024, this place welcomed its 10 millionth tourist.

At the end of March 2025, Da Lat City received 2 awards: 2025 Asia Festival Awards in the category of Asian Flower and Garden Festival 2025 and Asia Pinnacle Awards in the category of Most Environmentally Friendly Festival voted by the International Festival and Event Association of Asia (IFEA ASIA)... Those results are a solid foundation for Da Lat City's tourism industry to continue to grow.

With its special history of formation, with its existing and ongoing leading achievements in tourism and agriculture, with its unique and diverse cultural identity and distinct advantages in terms of resources, environment, infrastructure, etc., Da Lat is a suitable choice as the administrative and political center of the new province, ensuring sustainable management and optimizing resources; at the same time, creating the driving force to make the new province one of the most strongly developed and livable areas in the South Central Coast - Central Highlands region.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202505/da-lat-trung-tam-cua-su-hoi-tu-va-phat-trien-f845752/