Vietnam's Mountain Town Slow Life: Spend a 20℃ French Fairy Tale Winter with Kids
Escape the cold winter! This lesser-known Southeast Asian mountain town offers both romance and wild charm for children!
If you're like me and tired of the monotony of beaches, then this winter, I highly recommend taking your kids to Da Lat! It lacks the hustle and bustle of Nha Trang but perfectly blends French romance, fairy tale imagination, and mountain freshness. Here, we are awakened every day by warm sunshine, fragrant air, and the joyful laughter of children.
🌈 The A and B sides of Da Lat family trips, all in one go:
Side A · French Elegant Slow Life: The city center is filled with colorful European-style villas, ancient churches, and fragrant cafes. The pace is slow, perfect for strolling with kids and soaking in the exotic cultural atmosphere.
Side B · Natural Wild Adventure: Surrounding the city are waterfalls, forests, lakes, and farms. You can hike, bike, and feed small animals, letting children fully unleash their nature.
🚗 In-depth family activities breakdown (including hidden spots):
Core activities (must-visit in the city):
Crazy House: Recommended to go right when it opens in the morning for fewer crowds and a better experience. Remind kids to be careful as some stairs are quite steep.
Da Lat Old Railway Station: Besides riding the train, the station’s architecture and vintage carriages are great for photos. You can tell kids about the history of trains.
Da Lat Cathedral: The afternoon sunlight through the stained glass is beautiful, and you can feed pigeons in the square, which kids love.
Advanced activities (exploring nearby suburbs):
Pongour Waterfall: More spectacular than Elephant Waterfall, the tiered waterfall group is very impressive. After the rainy season, the water volume is abundant and majestic.
Cù Hill Sunflower Farm: If the season is right (usually until January), this place is a vast sea of sunflowers, resembling a comic scene.
Langbiang Mountain: You can hike or take a jeep up the mountain. The summit offers a wide view of Da Lat, making it a great choice for family light hiking.
🍽️ Family-friendly food map (clean and reliable):
Main meals recommended: Artist Alley Restaurant (artistic environment, exquisite dishes), Goc Ha Thanh Restaurant (authentic Vietnamese hotpot with sweet broth).
Desserts/Coffee: Bicycle Up Coffee & Store (converted from a bike shop, very unique), Lien Hoa Bakery (local old bakery, good baguettes and cakes).
Night market snacks: Try freshly baked pandan cakes (Bánh căn) and hot soy milk. Choose stalls with more customers for better hygiene.
🏡 Healing accommodation recommendations (personally tested):
The Anam Dalat: A luxury resort opened in 2023, colonial-style architecture with huge lawns and gardens. Has dedicated family activities and an indoor playground, very new facilities.
Mercure Dalat Resort: Under Accor, located in pine forests, quiet and pleasant. Rooms have balconies facing the forest, buffet breakfast with a wide variety, and many children’s meal options.
Dalat Wonder Resort: Very cost-effective resort with beautiful gardens and a small zoo (rabbits, peacocks, etc.), kids can play there for a long time.
🧳 Winter travel packing list (special edition):
Clothing: Long-sleeve T-shirts, thin sweaters, windbreakers, and long pants are essentials. Bring a hat and kids’ sunglasses for sun protection.
Medicine: Common children’s medicines like stomach medicine, cold medicine, band-aids. Da Lat is a plateau, generally no mosquito problems.
Others: Children’s sunscreen, insulated water bottle, a pair of comfortable shoes. Bring some small picture books to pass time in cafes or hotels.
In Da Lat, time seems to stretch. Explore one or two places each day at a relaxed pace, and spend the rest of the time playing in the hotel garden or sipping juice at a street corner. This high-quality companionship is the true essence of family travel.