Sightseeing and cultural exploration in Da Lat.

After reorganization, Da Lat City (Lam Dong province) was divided into four wards: Xuan Huong, Lam Vien, Cam Ly, and Xuan Truong, but the name Da Lat was retained after each ward name as a form of identification. In this cool highland region, many new spaces have recently emerged that recreate the traditional beauty of Da Lat, much to the delight of tourists.

Coffee under the canopy of old pine trees

In late March, the area around the Trai Ham intersection (in Xuan Huong ward, Da Lat) became a hotspot for young people thanks to cafes with views of the green pine valley on the road leading to the rock tunnel (Hoang Hoa Tham street). The main road into the area is only wide enough for two cars to pass each other, so traffic is always congested. Once inside, customers have to wait a while for a seat. The view directly down to the valley covered in green pines is very attractive to tourists.

Tourists visit and take photos at a vintage-style cafe in Xuan Huong ward, Da Lat.

One of the newly opened attractions is the Air Dream Forest Station cafe, located within the grounds of villa number 16 Hung Vuong (rear side), blending ancient architecture with a natural setting. Taking advantage of the old pine forest, the owner has designed wooden walkways, with tables and chairs placed directly under the pine trees, overlooking Tran Quang Dieu road leading to Bao Dai Palace. The cafe's clientele is mostly young people arriving by motorbike. On sunny afternoons, the short road in front of the cafe becomes lively as many young men and women gather to pose for souvenir photos.

Currently, Mien Du Muc is rushing to complete a gong performance stage with approximately 1,000 seats. The stage is constructed from various types of wood, with a rustic design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape. The performers are K'Ho ethnic minority cultural groups from Lat commune, at the foot of the legendary Lang Biang mountain. "We want to introduce the unique cultural beauty of the locality to tourists, create additional income for the artists, and also add a distinctive character to the tourist attraction," said Nguyen Dinh Quan Quy, owner of Mien Du Muc restaurant.

Relying on nature, preserving memories.

With the area of ​​inner-city pine forests shrinking to make way for road construction, houses, and hotels, scenic spots further from the city center are becoming increasingly attractive to tourists. A prime example is the "Nomadic Land" cafe, located on the former Da Chien hill, about 10km from Xuan Huong Lake. The cafe is built on a gently sloping hill, covering approximately 2 hectares, with five charming wooden houses surrounded by flower gardens, ornamental plants, a pond, and winding stone or wooden pathways. Thanks to meticulous care, the flowers bloom profusely, making the landscape here truly outstanding.

All the wooden houses at the cafe are built in the authentic style of Da Lat wooden houses from over half a century ago. Inspired by the idea of ​​returning to the past with rustic pine wood houses and taking advantage of the pristine surrounding landscape, the cafe has a unique charm for visitors. From the wooden houses, visitors can gaze towards Trai Mat and Xuan Tho, admiring the greenhouses growing vegetables, flower fields, or rolling green pine hills.

Talking to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Quan Quy (owner of Mien Nu Muc), we learned that this tourist attraction has existed since 2021 under the name "Smoke Valley." In 2023, Mr. Quy bought it and invested in upgrades. The highlight is the two small lakes, which both create a scenic view and provide a spot for female tourists to paddle boats and pose for photos. Initially, the cafe operated as a nighttime café, offering views of the farm lights. Later, Mr. Quy shifted to a daytime viewing model, so the cafe opens at 5 am to allow guests to witness the clouds covering the hills. This has become a unique feature of the cafe, offering guests unique photos while enjoying a cup of coffee and a light breakfast amidst the misty scenery, with fluffy clouds covering the flower gardens and hills in the background.

Heading back along National Highway 27C (formerly Provincial Road 723 connecting Nha Trang and Da Lat), we stopped at the Memory Station. Although it was almost the end of spring and the weather was warmer, the place was still crowded with visitors. Unlike the wooden houses of the Nomadic Region, the houses here are made of stone, another unique feature of old Da Lat architecture. The rustic stone houses, with walls built from boulders (not split stone), roofed with red tiles; the doors and pillars are all made of pine wood, evoking the wildness of the mountains and forests. Notably, the Memory Station also recreates a section of the cogwheel railway, about 30 meters long, one of the symbolic memories of Da Lat's past.

Drawing inspiration from nature, recreating the past, and preserving memories, the new tourist attractions in Da Lat, Lam Dong province, demonstrate the keen insight of tourism professionals in skillfully exploiting unique features that are hard to find elsewhere, captivating visitors with their distinctive character and commitment to sustainable development in harmony with nature.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/du-lich-canh-quan-kham-pha-van-hoa-da-lat-post847594.html