Spending ten days in Da Lat with your family allows you to bypass the rushed weekend crowds and sink into the cool, temperate pace of the Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原). This itinerary balances classic highland sights with low-stress, kid-friendly detours that keep everyone relaxed.
Day 1 — Arrival and Lakeside Strolls
After arriving in Da Lat (달랏 / 大叻 / ダラット), check into a family-friendly villa in the French Quarter (Ward 10), where the colonial-era architecture offers a quiet break from the high-traffic city center. Start with a slow walk around Xuan Huong Lake, the central body of water that defines the town's geography. For an easy first dinner, introduce the kids to "banh mi xiu mai" (warm meatballs in a savory broth served with crispy bread) at a local spot like Banh Mi Xiu Mai Ri 79 on Thong Thien Hoc Street. A family meal here rarely exceeds 100,000 VND.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the noisy swan pedal boats on the lake. Instead, walk the quieter northern bank near the Yersin Park corner where local families gather to fly kites in the late afternoon.
Day 2 — Pine Forests and Cable Cars
Head to Robin Hill in the morning to catch the Da Lat Cable Car. The 2.3 km ride glides over pine forests down to the Truc Lam Zen Monastery. The monastery grounds are quiet, filled with manicured gardens and stone pathways easy for young feet to navigate. For lunch, head nearby to Tuyen Lam Lake for "lau bo" (beef hotpot), a warming dish perfect for the cool highland air.
Off-script suggestion: Instead of taking the main paved stairs back to the parking lot, take the dirt path behind the monastery's main hall that winds down through the pine trees directly to the lake shore.
Day 3 — Alpine Coasters and Old Tracks
Spend the morning at Datanla Waterfalls. While the waterfall itself is standard, the draw for families is the alpine coaster. The self-controlled sleds let you manage the speed, making it safe for younger children riding with an adult. Tickets cost around 170,000 VND per adult. In the afternoon, visit the historic Da Lat Railway Station to see the vintage steam locomotives.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the short, overpriced tourist train ride at the station. Instead, walk 500 meters down the defunct tracks away from the platform to find quiet, overgrown spots where kids can balance on the rails without the crowds.
Day 4 — Strawberries and Artichokes in Trai Mat
Take a short taxi ride to the Trai Mat neighborhood, the agricultural heart of the valley. Visit a local greenhouse for strawberry picking. Many farms charge around 150,000 VND per kilogram to pick your own. For lunch, try "nem nuong" (grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper with herbs and a sweet peanut dipping sauce) at Nem Nuong Ba Hung.
Off-script suggestion: Return to Trai Mat after dark. The thousands of agricultural greenhouses light up the valley, creating a glowing grid that looks like a miniature golden city from the roadside viewpoints.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Day 5 — Lang Biang Heights
Drive 12 km north of the city to Lang Biang Mountain. Rather than hiking the steep trails with kids, rent one of the shared green jeeps (around 80,000 VND per person) to drive up to the Radar Peak. The top offers views of the Golden River and the valleys below. For lunch, try "ga nuong com lam" (charcoal-grilled chicken served with sticky rice roasted in bamboo tubes) at the foot of the mountain.
Off-script suggestion: Avoid the crowded photo props at the very top of the peak. Walk down the paved access road for about 1 km to find quiet pine glades where you can have a family picnic in peace.
Day 6 — Cafe Culture and Chicken Rice
Da Lat is famous for its cafe culture. Spend a slow morning at a garden cafe like Still Cafe or An Cafe, where kids can watch koi fish while parents enjoy a traditional "ca phe sua da" (iced milk coffee) or a warm cup of "egg coffee". For lunch, seek out "banh uot long ga" (steamed rice sheets topped with tender chicken and offal) on Tang Bat Ho Street.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the multi-story, modern cafes on the main roads. Look for small, residential cafes hidden down the narrow "hem" (alleys) of Ward 5, which often have small backyard gardens and friendly resident dogs.
Day 7 — Clay Pots and Market Walks
Spend the morning exploring the indoor section of the central Da Lat Market. It is a sensory experience of fresh artichokes, strawberries, and local flowers. For lunch, sit down for "com nieu" (clay pot rice), where the crispy rice at the bottom of the pot is scraped off and served with braised pork belly and clay-pot fish.
Off-script suggestion: Avoid the chaotic street food stalls directly outside the market entrance at night. Instead, head to the basement level during the morning to find the small, family-run noodle stalls where local vendors eat.
Photo by HONG SON on Pexels
Day 8 — Cau Dat Tea Hills
Take a 25 km drive out of the city to the Cau Dat Tea Hills. The rolling green hills are cooler than the city center and offer plenty of space for kids to run around. For lunch, stop at a local roadside eatery for a warming bowl of "bun bo hue" (spicy beef noodle soup, served here with a mountain of fresh highland shredded cabbage).
Off-script suggestion: Visit the old French tea processing factory at the center of the plantation. It has been preserved as a rustic museum showing vintage machinery from the early 20th century.
Day 9 — Architectural Oddities
Visit the Crazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse), an artistic, tree-like structure with winding concrete tunnels and whimsical rooms. It is a natural playground for older kids, though parents with toddlers should watch the narrow, high walkways. Afterward, visit the understated Bao Dai Summer Palace III to see how the last emperor of Vietnam lived.
Off-script suggestion: After visiting the palace, walk through the quiet pine groves of the surrounding park rather than heading straight back to the taxi stand.
Day 10 — A Slow Farewell
On your final day, keep things simple. Walk to a local eatery for a comforting bowl of "pho" to start the morning. Spend your remaining hours buying local souvenirs like dried persimmons, artichoke tea, and candied ginger from reputable shops like L'angfarm before heading to Lien Khuong Airport.
Off-script suggestion: Grab a bag of hot "banh tieu" (hollow donut-like fried bread) from a street cart near the lake to keep the kids happy during the 40-minute taxi ride to the airport.
Practical notes
Pack layers for the family, as temperatures drop quickly from 25°C during the day to 15°C at night. Taxis are easy to hail via ride-hailing apps, but for day trips to Cau Dat or Lang Biang, hiring a private driver for the day (around 800,000 to 1,200,000 VND) is the most stress-free option for families.
Last updated · May 30, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
