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If the noise, heat and smog of HCMC become too much to bear, consider escaping to Dalat in the central highlands to recuperate. With its French colonial charm, ethnic diversity and natural beauty, Dalat is well worth two or three days of your time.
The first known European to visit the area was Dr. Alexandre Yersin, who was born in Vaud-Morges, Switzerland in 1863 and became a French citizen after graduating from a Paris medical school in 1888.
In June 1893, the good doctor set off from Dong Nai to see the highlands for himself. He crossed over the pass now called Ngoan Muc and headed for the empty and very picturesque Lang Biang Plateau.
It reminded Yersin of his homeland, particularly the similarities between the evergreen forests there and in the Swiss Alps, so he recommended to the colonial government that a resort and health spas for government officials and foreign dignitaries be built in the area now known as Dankia.
Four years later the French governor of Indochina, Paul Doumer, ordered the construction of a hill station where French colonial officials could escape the oppressive heat of Saigon, refresh themselves and perhaps enjoy a spot of big game-hunting.
The building later served as the summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai, who would go on hunting expeditions in the area. Since then, Dalat’s destiny has been to be carefully designed and landscaped.
Graceful colonial architecture can be seen everywhere – in the hotels, government buildings, churches and many homes. The style characterizes and defines Dalat as a retreat and hideaway from the outside world, which explains the hordes of tourists.
Dalat is a favorite with Vietnamese honeymooners and holiday makers, and is also popular with foreigners, particularly the French, who go there in the summer months to play golf and visit the many natural sights.
Recalling the past, Saigontourist Travel has started up a four-day tour named “Theo Dau Chan Yersin” (following in the steps of Yersin).
From HCMC, the tour party travels in a Mercedes or Ford Transit minivan to Phan Thiet on the central coast then along a freshly constructed road to Dalat.
On the way the bus stops at Ta Cu Nature Reserve and at Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and its 49-meter Buddha statue, the largest in Vietnam.
The scenery and views around Ngoan Muc are impressive and explain why the name of the pass means “pleasing to the eye.”
Then it’s on to Lam Vien Plateau and Dalat, “the city of flowers”, where the tour guide relates the town’s history and takes the party to all the usual tourist spots: Lang Biang Mountain, the Valley of Love, the Lake of Sighs, Lake Xuan Huong and the beautiful waterfalls of Prenn and Datanla.
The program also includes visiting Yersin Park in front of Dalat Stadium and laying wreaths in front of the statue of Yersin to commemorate the French doctor who founded the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang and made great contributions to Vietnam’s medical community.
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