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Dalat-
Vietnam &
The Central Highlands
 Dalat-
Vietnam
was established as a hill resort at the beginning of the
last century by homesick French colonials who were
attracted to its cool, spring-like weather, pine
forests, waterfalls and lakes. Many reminders of Dalat’s
colonial past can be seen in the hundreds of European
style villas, chalets and other buildings still standing
around town. One fine example is the cream-colored art
deco villa that was once the summer home of Vietnam’s
last emperor, Bao Dai. Another slightly more grand
example of Dalat’s colonial architecture is the superbly
restored Dalat Palace Hotel overlooking the central Xuan
Huong Lake. On the opposite side of Xuan Huong Lake is
Vietnam’s first golf course, originally built for
Emperor Bao Dai and recently restored, it is now one of
the top courses in the region.
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Apart
from its colonial heritage Dalat is known in
Vietnam for its market gardens growing
everything from carrots and cauliflowers to
avocados and bananas as well as many
varieties of flowers. For Vietnamese, Dalat
means romance, and with attractions like the
Valley of Love it is the destination of
choice for local honeymooners. |
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the original forest cover has been cleared to make way
for coffee plantations. There are however still many
places of interest in the Central Highlands and although
the main towns of the
Buon Ma
Thuot,
Pleiku
and
Kontum
may not have a great deal to offer there are many
authentic minority villages throughout the countryside.
The traditional thatched, wooden stilt-houses of the Ede,
Jarai, Bahnar and others are a feature of the region and
an overnight stay in one of the villages is a memorable
experience. One such village is Jun village on the shore
of Lak Lake about 50km from Buon Ma Thuot. Here visitors
can have a real Central Highlands experience with an
elephant ride through the countryside, a cruise on the
lake in a hollowed-out tree trunk known as a pirogue and
spend the night in a village longhouse.