Da Lat poised to become leading Southeast Asian tourist hub

By Viet Tuan January 2, 2024 | 04:51 pm PT

Da Lat is shrouded in fog at night. Photo by Le Hoang Men

The government plans to turn the Central Highlands resort city Da Lat into one of Southeast Asia’s leading tourism centers with “high-quality nightlife activities.”

Under a government-approved plan for the period 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050, Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong Province, will focus on developing modern and "world-class" nighttime activities.

Around 110 kilometers from Da Lat, the mountainous resort city Bao Loc is slated for the development of eco-tourism, wellness treatment, healthcare and sports facilities to increase domestic and international competitiveness.

By 2030, the plan is for Lam Dong Province to become a "green paradise," where high-class tourism services such as golf, horse and dog racing will be prioritized.

Situated on a plateau around 1,500 meters above sea level, Da Lat is famous for its French colonial heritage.

It used to be a summer retreat for French officials during colonial times thanks to its year-round cool climate and beautiful landscape.

Once a top tourist destination in Vietnam, Da Lat has gradually lost its charm in recent years due to rapid urbanization, limited transport infrastructure and poor tourism services.

In 2022, CNN listed Da Lat as one of "18 most underrated places in Asia."

Last year, Da Lat authorities proposed a plan to build a casino and a new night market and set up a new pedestrians-only street to develop the nighttime economy.

Da Lat received 8.65 million tourist arrivals last year, up 15% year-on-year. International visitors reached 400,000, up 167% year-on-year.