Da Lat sits 1,500 meters above sea level, surrounded by pine forests, strawberry farms, and cool mountain air. If you are a dedicated beach traveler, this highland city might seem like the exact opposite of your natural habitat.
However, you do not have to suffer from saltwater withdrawal. By swapping ocean waves for misty lakes, dramatic waterfalls, and a quick mid-trip dash down the mountain pass to the actual coast, you can experience the best of the highlands without losing your connection to the water. Here is how to spend 10 days in Da Lat (달랏 / 大叻 / ダラット) when your heart belongs to the sea.
Day 1 — The Highland Coastline
Start by orienting yourself around Xuan Huong Lake, the geographic and social heart of Da Lat. While it is a man-made lake rather than a tropical bay, the perimeter path offers a breezy, water-adjacent walk that feels familiar to coastal travelers.
Rent a classic swan pedal boat to get out on the water, or simply walk the 5-kilometer loop. Stop by one of the lakeside cafes for your first taste of "vietnamese coffee" or a sweet "ca phe sua da (연유커피 / 越南冰咖啡 / ベトナムアイスコーヒー)" while watching the mist settle over the water.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the touristy lakeside restaurants for dinner. Head instead to Tang Bat Ho street for a warm bowl of "banh mi" xiu mai (meatballs in savory broth served with crispy bread).
Day 2 — Canyoning at Datanla Waterfall
If you miss the adrenaline of riding ocean waves, Datanla Waterfall will satisfy your craving for adventure. Located just 5 km south of the city center, this ravine is the premier spot for canyoning in Vietnam.
You will spend the day abseiling down sheer rock faces, sliding down natural stone waterslides carved by the river, and jumping off 7-meter cliffs into deep plunge pools. It is wet, wild, and far more physically demanding than lounging on a beach chair.
Off-script suggestion: After drying off, take the alpine coaster at Datanla. It is a self-controlled toboggan ride through the pine canopy that bypasses the steep walk back up the gorge.
Day 3 — SUP on Tuyen Lam Lake at Dawn
Tuyen Lam Lake is a massive reservoir surrounded by pine forests, located about 7 km from the city. For a beach lover, this is the closest you will get to flatwater paddling.
Book a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tour that starts at 5:00 AM. The lake is famous for its thick morning fog, which mimics the dense sea mists of northern coasts. Paddling through the silent, vapor-shrouded water as the sun rises behind the pine trees is a surreal highland experience.
Off-script suggestion: Paddle to the far side of the lake to visit a small lavender farm and pine grove where you can land your board and enjoy a thermos of hot ginger tea.
Day 4 — The Great Waterfall Run
Spend the day exploring two of the region's most dramatic waterfalls: Pongour and Elephant Waterfall. Pongour is located about 50 km from Da Lat, but its massive, multi-tiered stone steps make it worth the drive. It looks like a natural amphitheater of rushing water.
Afterward, head to Elephant Waterfall (Thac Voi), where you can scramble down a wet, slippery track behind the main falls to feel the full force of the spray.
Off-script suggestion: Stop at the nearby Linh An Pagoda to view the giant Lady Buddha statue, then grab lunch at a local roadside shack serving hot "banh xeo" (savory crepes).
Photo by HONG SON on Pexels
Day 5 — The Ocean of Clouds
Beach travelers love sunrises over the ocean. In Da Lat, you watch the sunrise over a "sea of clouds" (bien may).
Wake up at 4:30 AM and drive to the Cau Dat tea hills, located 25 km outside the city. Wooden wooden walkways built over the hills offer front-row seats to a natural phenomenon where thick white clouds fill the valleys below, leaving only the mountain peaks exposed like islands in a white sea.
Off-script suggestion: On the drive back, stop at a local persimmon orchard to try dried persimmons and hot green tea.
Day 6 — Forest Baths and Clay Pots
Take a break from active water sports to enjoy the therapeutic side of the highlands. Spend the day at one of the eco-resorts near Tuyen Lam Lake.
Many of these properties offer forest bathing experiences, outdoor hot tubs overlooking the pines, and quiet kayaking routes. It is the highland equivalent of a lazy resort day on the coast.
Off-script suggestion: For dinner, seek out a local restaurant serving clay pot rice ("com tam" style but cooked in clay) near the lake forest.
Day 7 — The Descent to Nha Trang
Ten days is a long time for a beach lover to stay away from the ocean. Today, you make the transition to the coast. Hire a private driver or take a shuttle bus down the spectacular Khanh Le pass to Nha Trang.
The 3-hour drive drops you from 1,500 meters down to sea level. Watch the pine trees slowly give way to banana palms and coastal scrub as the air grows warmer and more humid. Spend the afternoon swimming in the warm waters of Nha Trang bay.
Off-script suggestion: Stop at the top of the Khanh Le pass at a roadside stall for fresh mountain bananas and a view of the waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Day 8 — Islands and Saltwater
Spend the day fully indulging your beach cravings. Rent a wooden boat or join a speed-boat tour to the islands in Nha Trang bay, such as Hon Mun or Hon Tam.
Spend the morning snorkeling over coral reefs, swimming in the clear blue water, and eating fresh seafood grilled on the beach. In the afternoon, visit the famous Thap Ba mud baths for a soak in warm, mineral-rich clay.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the tourist seafood streets in Nha Trang and head to the northern side of the Tran Phu bridge to find local shacks serving grilled fish wrapped in rice paper with "nem chua" (fermented pork).
Day 9 — Back to the Pines
Make the journey back up the Khanh Le pass to Da Lat. The sudden drop in temperature as you ascend the mountains is incredibly refreshing after the coastal heat.
Check back into your Da Lat hotel and spend the evening at the Da Lat Night Market. The cool mountain air is perfect for enjoying hot street food like "banh trang nuong" (often called Da Lat pizza) and warm soy milk.
Off-script suggestion: Warm up after the mountain drive with a bowl of steaming "pho" at one of the long-running noodle shops near the market.
Day 10 — Valley Views and Departure
Spend your final morning at one of Da Lat's famous hillside cafes. Places like Cafe Du Sinh or the spots along Khe Sanh street offer deep valley views where you can watch the morning mist rise from the pine forests.
Sip a slow-drip "vietnamese coffee" or try a rich "egg coffee" while reflecting on a trip that proved the highlands can be just as water-rich and refreshing as the coast.
Off-script suggestion: Pick up a box of fresh Da Lat strawberries or artichoke tea bags from the central market as a souvenir before heading to Lien Khuong Airport.
Practical notes
Pack layers; Da Lat can drop to 15 degrees Celsius at night, while Nha Trang will be a tropical 30 degrees. Renting a semi-automatic scooter is the best way to navigate the mountain passes, but only attempt the Khanh Le pass yourself if you are an experienced rider. Otherwise, hire a private car for the day trip to the coast.
Last updated · May 30, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
