BEST TIME TO VISIT DA LAT AND TRAVEL ROUTES FROM HO CHI MINH CITY
Dalat is located on the Lam Vien plateau at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, blessed with a cool climate year-round and picturesque scenery. Because of this, Dalat welcomes over 7 million tourists annually from Ho Chi Minh City, including both domestic and inbound tourists– according to a 2023 report from the local government.
Dalat – a year-round tourist destination
When mentioning Dalat, people often think of the city of mist and thousands of flowers. Each season in Dalat is associated with a characteristic flower season that attracts not only domestic tourists but also delights the local people.
Starting with the spring, Dalat is adorned with the pink blossoms of cherry blossoms blooming throughout the city, from main roads to small alleys, casting their reflections on Xuan Huong Lake, creating a romantic and captivating scene. As the pink petals fade, the pure white of bauhinia flowers quickly fills the mountain town. At this time, the weather is pleasant and cool, with gentle, warm sunshine covering the entire city, perfect for spring outings, picnics, and outdoor weddings.
When the purple jacaranda blossoms begin to bloom along Hoang Van Thu Street, Dalat enters the summer with temperatures ranging from 20-26 degrees Celsius and the weather becoming more unpredictable. The mornings and afternoons are pleasantly cool with gentle breezes, while midday becomes much hotter with intense, uncomfortable sunshine that feels like it’s burning your skin. Occasionally, the early season rains arrive and quickly disappear. These humid days are ideal for exploring the green forests or leisurely kayaking on the cool Tuyen Lam Lake.
Photo: Sam Sam
The autumn in Dalat is the season of rain, a time for lonely souls to find refuge and healing. Dalat’s rain carries the scent of red basalt soil and the fragrant aroma of pine trees. The rain falls on tiled roofs, gently tapping against windowpanes, washing away all the worries of the earth and sky. Brewing a warm cup of artichoke tea and reading a good book, or simply gathering with loved ones in the warm atmosphere of home are the simplest forms of happiness.
Photo: collected
The rain gradually subsides, giving way to the wind, the winter wind brings Dalat to its most beautiful season of the year. The leaves have gradually turned red and fallen on the old paths we used to walk. A gentle breeze blows across the hillsides, and warm sunlight softly filters through the rustling pine trees. The season of festivals and celebrations has arrived in the land of a thousand flowers. The Da Lat Flower Festival, year-end fairs, and major events are all held simultaneously attracting countless tourists to Dalat during these last months of the year.
Routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat
Most tourists from Ho Chi Minh City prefer landing at Lien Khuong Airport and then traveling by car to Dalat to optimize their time for experiencing other attractive activities. However, with Lien Khuong Airport scheduled to close from March 4th to August 25th, 2026 for infrastructure upgrades, the routes to Dalat have become a topic of discussion for both domestic and inbound tourists.
Let’s explore some routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat with Ana Mandara Villas Dalat!
Flying to Cam Ranh Airport and then traveling by car to Dalat
This route is suitable for tourists who want to visit many places but want to save the most time. Landing at Cam Ranh Airport in the beautiful city of Khanh Hoa, you can spend a day experiencing the warm sea breeze and diverse cuisine with seafood and grilled spring rolls. The next day, you can travel by car to Nha Trang city center to explore attractive tourist spots, then cross the picturesque Khanh Le pass and reach Da Lat in about 4 hours.
Road access via the expressway through Long Thanh – Dau Giay – Phan Thiet – Vinh Hao
With a total distance of over 410km, this can be considered the fastest and most scenic road route from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat. Starting from Phu My Bridge, take the Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway, then the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet Expressway, turn to the Phan Thiet – Vinh Hao Expressway, continue along National Highway 28 over Gia Bac Pass to Di Linh, and then straight along National Highway 20 up to Prenn Pass, you will arriveDalat in about 6 hours depending on traffic conditions.
National Highway 20 is accessible to all vehicles.
This familiar route has become a vital artery connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat for many years and also carries many local landmarks as it passes through Dong Nai province and most of Lam Dong province. It’s also a top choice for travelers who love exploring by motorbike with attractive and interesting stops along the way.
Dalat has long been a favorite destination for domestic and inbound tourists consistently ranking among the most searched travel keywords. The city of a thousand flowers is transforming itself every day to ensure high-quality services while preserving the unique cultural identity of the tourist destination called “the miraculous crystallization from fertile land.”