Story: Nguyet Cat
Photos: Tonkin

For those who love Dalat like me, it isn’t the dreaminess or the mountainous landscapes that draw us in, but the feeling of peace and intimacy when we visit.

When in Dalat, I rarely plan ahead. I book a place online, grab a ride or a flight, and just like that I’m peacefully drinking my coffee at Thuy Ta  while admiring the views of Xuan Huong Lake. After a 15-minute walk, I arrive in the Hoa Binh District with its streets lined with coffee shops and snack stands. In the evenings, when the weather turns chilly, both locals and tourists cheerfully find their way to enjoy some soy milk and mung bean milk served with cream puffs that boast a sweet taste and silky texture.

The Dalat Education College


With its clouds and breezy weather, Dalat tends to evoke tender feelings. Once, upon seeing a video of a cloudy valley where early morning mist seemed to float into a room as soon as its window was cracked open, I booked a room in a homestay some distance from the city’s center. When my companion and I arrived, we rented a motorbike and embarked on an adventure around the neighborhood. Spotting a green wooden house, we lingered for a long time to admire the tiny white flowers blooming like snowflakes in its small front garden. Seeing that we were hesitant to ask for permission to take pictures, the gardener said: “Just open the gate and make yourself at home.” She even recommended some famous local eateries.

Enjoying evening drinks at a street stall


Another time in Dalat, I met a local friend who took me to an area where locals enjoy breakfast and morning coffee. The shops were bustling but not chaotic, as owners and customers cheerfully chatted. My friend recommended a famous shop selling roast pork. While waiting for my turn, I asked where to buy bánh hỏi and bánh mì to eat with the roast pork and the shopkeeper gladly referred me to the shop next door.