Da Lat, the city of thousands of flowers, is an ideal destination for those who love nature, cool climate, and romantic space. With green pine hills, majestic Datanla Waterfall, poetic Xuan Huong Lake, and specialties such as grilled rice paper and Da Lat coffee, this city always captivates tourists. In 2025, Da Lat is expected to welcome more than 9 million visitors thanks to cultural events and improved tourism services.
This article provides a detailed 3-day, 2-night self-guided travel itinerary to Da Lat, cost-saving tips, and updated information, suitable for both beginners and professional travelers. Let's explore the emotional journey in the dreamy city!
Why should you choose to travel to Da Lat for 3 days 2 nights?
Da Lat, located at an altitude of 1,500m above sea level, has a cool climate all year round, ideal for relaxation. The city is famous for check-in spots such as Lam Vien Square, Cau Dat Tea Hill, and unique cuisine . According to statistics in 2024, Da Lat welcomed 8.5 million visitors, and in 2025 it is expected to increase by 10% thanks to tourism stimulus programs. With 3 days and 2 nights, you can explore famous landmarks, enjoy specialties, and enjoy the fresh air at a cost of 2.5-5 million VND/person.
Prepare before traveling to Da Lat for 3 days 2 nights
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Transportation: From Ho Chi Minh City, bus (Thanh Buoi, Phuong Trang) costs 200,000-300,000 VND/trip, takes 6-7 hours. Airplane from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Lien Khuong airport (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet) costs 800,000-2,000,000 VND/trip, takes 1-2 hours. In the city, rent a motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day) at Dalat Motorbike (0935 123 456) or Green SM taxi (200,000 VND/trip).
Accommodation: Choose a 3-4 star hotel like TTC Hotel (1,200,000-1,800,000 VND/night) near Xuan Huong Lake, or a homestay like La Nha Homestay (400,000-700,000 VND/night) in Trai Mat area. Book through Traveloka, Booking.com to receive discounts.
Estimated cost: 2,500,000-5,000,000 VND/person, including bus/plane tickets, accommodation, meals (100,000-300,000 VND/day), car rental, and entrance tickets (Datanla Waterfall: 50,000 VND).
Packing list: Bring a light jacket, sneakers, hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+), and digestive medicine. Don’t forget your ID card and cash because ATMs in Da Lat are limited.
Tip: Book your bus/plane tickets and hotel 1-2 months in advance to save 20-30%. Choose the flower season (November-March, ideally December-February) to see cherry blossoms, or April-June to avoid crowds.
Detailed itinerary for 3 days 2 nights tour in Da Lat
Day 1: Arrive in Da Lat – Xuan Huong Lake – Lam Vien Square – Da Lat Night Market
6:00-12:00: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City by bus (200,000 VND) from Mien Tay bus station or plane (800,000 VND) from Tan Son Nhat airport. Arrive at Lien Khuong airport or Da Lat bus station, take a Green SM taxi (200,000 VND) or bus (40,000 VND) to TTC Hotel (4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, 1,200,000 VND/night). Check in and rest.
12:30: Lunch at Com Tam Thao restaurant (1B Bui Thi Xuan, 80,000-120,000 VND/person). Enjoy grilled pork ribs, banh beo chen, and sweet che ba ba.
14:00: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) at Dalat Motorbike (0935 123 456). Visit Xuan Huong Lake, the heart of Dalat, ride a tandem bike around the lake (50,000 VND/hour) or take photos at lakeside cafes like Thanh Thuy (40,000-80,000 VND/cup).
16:00: Check-in Lam Vien Square (Tran Quoc Toan), featuring the wild sunflower and giant artichoke flower symbols. Free admission. Visit the Rooster Church (15 Nguyen Van Troi), an ancient French architectural work.
18:30: Dinner at Da Lat night market (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, 18:00-22:00). Enjoy grilled rice paper (20,000-30,000 VND/piece) at Grilled Rice Paper 444, hot soy milk (15,000 VND/cup), and avocado ice cream (25,000 VND). Buy specialties such as artichoke tea (150,000 VND/kg) as gifts.
Day 2: Datanla Waterfall – Cau Dat Tea Hill – Lonely Pine Tree – Cu Lan Village
6:00: Wake up early to watch the fog at Xuan Huong Lake. Have breakfast with meatball sandwiches at Banh Mi Co Hong (145 Bui Thi Xuan, 25,000-40,000 VND/portion). Hot meatballs, rich dipping sauce, served with crispy bread.
8:00: Travel (7km, 15 minutes) to Datanla Waterfall (Highway 20, ticket 50,000 VND). Take part in the slide (80,000 VND/trip) or walk to see the majestic waterfall. Take photos at the miniatures.
10:30: Continue to Cau Dat Tea Hill (Xuan Truong Commune, 25km, 40 minutes). Check-in at the green tea hill, Cau Do, and Cau Dat Farm coffee shop (40,000-80,000 VND/cup). Free admission.
12:30: Lunch at Leguda Vegetable Hotpot (Cable Car Tourist Area, 150,000-200,000 VND/person). Enjoy Dalat vegetable hotpot, beef, fresh mushrooms, and signature dipping sauce.
14:30: Visit the Lonely Pine Tree (Suoi Vang Lake, 20km, 30 minutes). Take photos in the romantic setting, ideal for couples. If you have time, visit Cu Lan Village (ticket 100,000 VND), a small village in the middle of the pine forest with activities such as boating, campfire (150,000 VND/person).
18:30: Dinner at Tao Ngo Chicken Hotpot with Perilla Leaves Restaurant (5/3 Yersin, 150,000-200,000 VND/person). Fragrant chicken hotpot with perilla leaves, served with egg noodles and wild vegetables.
Day 3: Da Lat Station – Bao Dai Palace – Da Lat Market – Return
6:30: Breakfast with pho at Pho Thien Tam (10 Yersin, 40,000-60,000 VND/bowl). Sweet broth, tender beef, served with herbs.
8:00: Visit Da Lat Station (1 Quang Trung, ticket 10,000 VND), the oldest station in Indochina with unique French architecture. Take photos with the old train and colorful carriages.
10:00: Visit Bao Dai III Palace (Trieu Viet Vuong Hill, ticket 50,000 VND), learn about the history of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong. Take photos in the flower garden and ancient interior.
12:00: Lunch at Nem Nuong Ba Hung (254 Phan Dinh Phung, 80,000-120,000 VND/portion). Fragrant grilled spring rolls, served with raw vegetables and special dipping sauce.
13:30: Visit Da Lat market (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai) to buy specialties such as mulberry jam (150,000 VND/kg), artichoke tea (150,000 VND/kg), and Da Lat coffee (200,000 VND/kg).
15:00: Check out of hotel, take Green SM taxi (200,000 VND) or bus (40,000 VND) to Lien Khuong airport/Da Lat bus station. Take bus (200,000 VND) or plane (800,000 VND) to Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi.
Compare means of transportation to Da Lat
Choosing the right vehicle saves time and money. Here is a comparison table:
| Vehicle | Time (from Ho Chi Minh City) | Ticket price (VND) | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | 6-7 hours | 200,000-300,000 | Cheap, many trips | Time consuming |
| Plane | 1-2 hours | 800,000-2,000,000 | Fast, convenient | High price, need to book early |
| Motorbike (rent in Da Lat) | N/A | 100,000-150,000/day | Flexible, free | Driving skills required |
| SM Green Taxi | 30 minutes (from airport) | 200,000/trip | Convenient, order via app | High cost |
How to save money when traveling to Dalat
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Choose a group tour: 3 days 2 nights group tour (2,000,000-3,500,000 VND/person) including car, accommodation, meals. Contact Dalat Tourist (0936 789 123).
Local food: Choose a sidewalk restaurant like Banh Trang Nuong 444 (20,000 VND/piece) or Da Lat night market (15,000-50,000 VND/dish) to save 50% compared to restaurants.
Rent a motorbike: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) instead of a taxi (200,000 VND/trip) to save on travel costs.
Buy specialties at the market: Buy mulberry jam and artichoke tea at Da Lat market (150,000-200,000 VND/kg) instead of tourist areas to avoid price hikes.
Note: Bring cash as ATMs are limited in Da Lat. Avoid eating in tourist areas to avoid being overcharged.
Frequently asked questions when traveling to Da Lat for 3 days 2 nights
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Dalat?
November-March, especially December-February, to see cherry blossoms. April-June is also ideal because the weather is cool and less crowded. Avoid July-October due to heavy rain.
2. How much does a 3-day, 2-night trip to Da Lat cost?
About 2,500,000-5,000,000 VND/person, including bus/plane tickets, accommodation, meals, car rental, and entrance tickets. Group tours are cheaper, from 2,000,000 VND.
3. Should I go on a tour or go on my own?
Self-sufficient travel is more flexible but requires detailed planning. Group tours are suitable for beginners and save time. Contact Dalat Tourist or Vietravel (1900 277 297).
4. Are there any activities for families with young children?
Cycle around Xuan Huong Lake, have fun at Lam Vien Square, or eat grilled rice paper at the family-friendly night market. Children under 1m are usually free.
5. How to get around in Dalat?
Rent a motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day), bus (10,000-20,000 VND/trip), or SM Green taxi (200,000 VND/trip). Motorbike is the most flexible for self-sufficient travel.
Conclusion: Enjoy Dalat with a memorable self-guided trip
A 3-day, 2-night self-guided tour of Da Lat is a great way to explore Datanla Waterfall, Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, and enjoy specialties such as grilled rice paper and Da Lat coffee. With a detailed itinerary, cost-saving tips, and updated information for 2025, you can easily enjoy the city of thousands of flowers without worrying about going over budget. Book your tickets, pack your bags, and start your dream trip today!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/tho-cung-thong-xanh-song-cung-khi-hau-mat-me-tai-thanh-pho-ngan-hoa-3298112.html
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