The Ultimate Guide to Da Lat with Kids: 8 Must-Do Family Activities

Da Lat is located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and is widely known as the “City of Eternal Spring.” Unlike the tropical humidity found in the coastal regions, this mountain city offers a temperate climate and a landscape defined by pine forests, rolling hills, and French colonial architecture. For traveling families, it serves as a distinct geographical and cultural contrast to the rest of the country, providing a slower pace and unique “mountain station” atmosphere.

The city itself is a mix of historical European influence and modern Vietnamese mountain culture. It is a destination that rewards exploration of its outskirts, where the elevation and geography dictate the lifestyle and activities. While the terrain is hilly and requires some logistical planning, the variety of whimsical architecture, agricultural sites, and outdoor adventures make it a significant stop for those looking to see a different side of Vietnam.

Getting Lost in Dalat’s “Crazy House” (Hằng Nga Guesthouse)

The Hằng Nga Guesthouse, better known as the “Crazy House,” is a significant architectural landmark designed by the Vietnamese architect Đặng Việt Nga. The house is built to resemble a massive, decaying tree and incorporates organic design elements that break from more traditional linear architecture. It serves as a living piece of art where guests can wander through a labyrinth of hollowed-out “tree trunks” and winding concrete tunnels.

It’s a spot that offers a tactile lesson in surrealist and organic architecture. The design intentionally mimics natural forms like caves, spiderwebs, and roots, providing a great starting point for discussions on how nature can inspire creative engineering, and tall bridges connect various themed rooms while offering panoramic views of Da Lat.

Parents should note that the design prioritizes creativity over parental comfort. Walkways can be pretty high and railings are often lower than those found in typical western structures. Nothing imminently dangerous, per se, but definitely enough to make a parent feel nervous.

That said, it’s definitely a unique experience and makes for a fun hour or two of exploration!

Animal Encounters at the Puppy Farm

While tourists flock to Da Lat for the cool highlands atmosphere, it’s also an ideal location for farms specializing in cooler weather crops. The Da Lat Puppy Farm is one such farm that decided that the farmer and tourist should be friends.

Located on the outskirts of the city, it is a working farm that, true to its name, offers the chance to interact with a wide variety of dog breeds, ranging from Corgis to Alaskan Malamutes. But they didn’t stop there! Over the last couple of years they’ve expanded their facility to offer interactions with other animals, as well, including capybaras, ponies, racoons, and a new tropical bird garden.

Beyond the animals, there are large-scale greenhouses on the property showcasing the cultivation of strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and pepino melons, all of which thrive in the highland soil. This provides a direct look at the farm-to-table process and how specialized climates support specific types of produce that cannot grow in the Vietnamese lowlands. (Plus, you can pick your own strawberries to enjoy!)

More action oriented families can take advantage of the farm’s rainbow slides and motorized go-karts, which are also pretty new. (They’ve been expanding.) And if that’s not enough, the grounds also feature seasonal flower gardens, including lavender, sunflowers, and hydrangeas.

The farm is quite large, so be prepared for quite a bit of walking to see everything!

Riding the Alpine Coaster at Datanla Falls

Datanla Falls combines natural highland scenery with an alpine coaster system that provides an easy (but exhilarating) descent through Da Lat’s pine forest. The waterfalls themselves are beautiful, and among some of the most accessible in all of Vietnam. Getting there is as easy as taking a 10-20 minute walk on a paved walkway.

But while I’d visit just to see the falls, the real draw for many families is taking Da Lat’s own Alpine Coaster back!

Just like the alpine coasters in Europe, the individual coaster sleds are self-controlled, allowing riders to manage their own speed using a manual braking system, so you won’t have to worry about going too fast. The New Alpine Coaster is currently the longest alpine coaster experience in Southeast Asia at 2400 meters in length, and is super fun!

While the upper level of the falls is the most crowded due to the coaster terminus, lower levels are accessible via walking paths or a secondary cable car system, offering a more secluded view of the jungle-like environment at the bottom of the canyon.

Be sure to go early in the day to beat the crowds!

A Science Lesson in a Cup: Me Linh Coffee Garden

Vietnam is one of the top coffee-growing nations in the world, and the central highlands are the heart of their coffee industry. (Thus, Highlands Coffee.) So if you’re wanting to learn more about the process of getting a good cup of coffee, from bean to cup, Me Linh Coffee Garden is an excellent site for observing the entire production process!

I love a good coffee tour, and Me Linh Coffee Garden does it well. The facility offers a full educational experience, showcasing the various stages of growth, harvest, and roasting. Plus, it’s known for its production of weasel coffee (Kopi Luwak), which involves a natural fermentation process during the animal’s digestion. (The Asian Palm Civets eat the coffee and then it gets used to make the grounds.)

Visitors can see the animals, learn about the digestive enzymes that alter the bean’s flavor, and see how the beans are cleaned and processed for consumption. For children, this serves as a (very) memorable lesson in biological fermentation processes and agricultural science. Plus they get to say the word ‘poop’.

The coffee garden is set on a hillside with views overlooking vast plantations. While adults observe the roasting process and sample some local brews, children can explore the open-air walkways or view the traditional weaving displays on-site. It is an immersive look at the economic backbone of the region and the specific environmental conditions required for coffee cultivation.

And, if you want to take the experience further, they also offer a variety of guided tours ranging from one looking at just the farming process, to exploring the roasting area, to getting to roast some beans yourself!

Float Above the City on the Cable Car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery

The Da Lat Cable Car, or Robin Hill Cable Car, offers a 2.3-kilometer ride that connects Robin Hill to the Truc Lam Zen Monastery. The journey glides over dense pine forests and provides an expansive view of the valley, including the many plastic-roofed greenhouses that dominate the agricultural landscape. It is a quiet, low-impact way to visualize the topography of the Central Highlands.

The ride offers a visual lesson on urban development and the “hill station” history of Da Lat. From the air, the layout of the city and its relationship to the surrounding forests and lake become clearer. Seeing things from above is a helpful way for children (and adults) to understand a bit of the scale of the region and how humans have adapted to the steep terrain for both housing and farming.

The cable car terminates near the Truc Lam Monastery, a serene complex of temples and public gardens which provide several highlights for families. The flower gardens are a central feature, meticulously maintained by the monks and nuns to showcase rare species, like the “bird of paradise” and red sage. Nearby, the bell tower houses a massive 1.1-ton bronze bell, said to be the largest in Vietnam.

For those looking for a transition to nature play, a path of 140 stone steps leads directly from the monastery grounds down to the shores of Tuyen Lam Lake, where families can rent swan-shaped pedal boats or hire a motorboat for a tour of the water!

Stepping Back in Time at the Da Lat Railway Station

Built in the 1930s, the Da Lat Railway Station is a preserved piece of colonial infrastructure that blends French Art Deco design with the high-pointed roof styles of the Central Highlands’ indigenous architecture. The station no longer connects with the national rail system, but rather serves as a museum and a functional terminal for a vintage tourist train. It’s great spot for learning about trains, but also an ideal location for discussing the history of French colonization, both in Vietnam and around the globe.

The vintage heritage train runs on a short, 7-kilometer route from the station to the nearby village of Trai Mat. It’s a slow-paced ride and uses old-fashioned carriages, offering views into the residential backyards and agricultural plots of the locals along the route. There are several trains throughout the day, leaving the station roughly every 2 hours.

At the end of the line in Trai Mat, visitors can walk to the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a structure famous for its intricate mosaics created from recycled glass and ceramic shards. It’s quite a contrast from the colonial-style station, making this a chance for a diverse cultural excursion!

As of 2024, there were also 2 Night Train journeys added to the daily schedule which included live music and some light refreshments on board the train. The night trains are trains DL11 and DL13 on the schedule chart and only run on the weekends.

The Open-Air Education of ZooDoo Zoo

ZooDoo Zoo is an Australian-style open zoo located approximately 30 kilometers outside of Da Lat. Unlike traditional zoos with cages, ZooDoo focuses on gentle animal interactions in a forest setting. Visits are organized via small, guided tours that must be booked in advance to manage the number of people interacting with the animals at any given time.

The tour allows children to feed and interact with animals such as kangaroos, alpacas, ponies, and a few various bird species. The emphasis is on education regarding these animals’ diets, behaviors, and habitats, and it makes for a fun and unexpectedly educational outing. Plus, the pine forest where it is located provides a tranquil environment that contrasts with the more high-energy parks closer to the city center.

Sliding Through Mongo Land

Mongo Land is a theme park that combines a petting zoo with large-scale outdoor play areas. Its most prominent feature is the “rainbow slide,” where visitors use inner tubes to descend a multi-colored track built into the hillside. You can find similar rainbow slides all over Vietnam, but the one here is the longest and widest one in the country.

The big advantage here is that unlike most of the other locations with a variety of activities, Mongo Land offers an “all-inclusive” ticket. That means that once you’re in, activities like feeding animals, shooting bows and arrows, and, of course, their famous rainbow slide are all included in the entry fee.

Other than that, Mongo Land has quite a bit in common with Puppy Farm, including petting zoos with unique animals like capybaras and racoons. Most families will probably want to choose one or the other to visit, rather than going to both. So, if you’re more interested in the agricultural aspect of farming and getting to pick strawberries, head to Puppy Farm. If you want the (very Instagram-able) rainbow slide, head out to Mongo Land!

Where Should I stay in Da Lat, Vietnam?

Finding a place closer to the Da Lat Night Market and Xuan Huong Lake is definitely a practical choice for families prioritizing convenience. Stays here put you within walking distance of countless street food stalls convenience stores.

Personally, I really like the feel and price of my mid-range pick, Mi Amor Da Lat. They do a great job of creating a comfortable space for a family to stay on a trip to the area!

How to get Around in Da Lat, Vietnam

Transportation in Da Lat is most efficiently handled via booking a Grab or it’s local competitor Xanh SM. Both apps offer low cost rides from your phone. Grab works internationally across most of Southeast Asia, while Xanh is local to Vietnam and operates a fleet of electric vehicles. Both apps let you pay with an international card, though Grab makes it easier, and Xanh allows for use of cash or QR payments, as well.

Da Lat Night Market is a central hub for food and shopping, though it can get pretty crowded. For families, it can be better to arrive earlier (around 5:30 or 6:00 PM) to experience the market before the peak crowds arrive. This is the best place to sample local specialties like Bánh Tráng Nướng (grilled rice paper), which is prepared over open charcoal braziers by street vendors.

Other Considerations when Visiting Da Lat

Temperature management is a key part of the logistics. While Vietnam in general can get hot, Da Lat sits at a higher altitude than the coastal regions. As such, the weather can change very quickly from sunny and warm to foggy and cold. Carrying light layers is a great idea, especially if you’re planning to be out after sunset.

Also, while many of the more popular attractions can process credit cards, you will definitely need cash for things like shopping at the night market and for any smaller expenses.

While Da Lat is much smaller than places like Saigon, Ha Noi, and Da Nang, the cooler air and variety of fun outdoor activities make it one of the most popular locations to check out in Vietnam! Especially if you are staying in Vietnam for a longer amount of time, it’s an excellent location for escaping the heat and having some fun. Plus, with the area’s ties to Vietnam’s colonial roots, there’s plenty of material for adding some education in during your visit!