Climate and Best Time in Da Lat

Part of the Da Lat travel guide — see every topic in All Da Lat Guides.

Da Lat is called the city of eternal spring because it is cool all year. At about 1,500 metres up, it is often ten degrees cooler than the coast. Most days are mild and sunny, and nights are fresh. The year has two seasons, dry and rainy, and both are good for a visit if you plan well.

Cool days, cold nights

Average temperatures in Da Lat stay between about 14 and 23 degrees all year. In the middle of the day the sun can feel warm, and a T-shirt is often fine. After sunset it cools fast. In the dry months nights can fall to around 10 degrees, and early mornings are often misty in the valleys. Pack a light jacket or warm top, long trousers and closed shoes. Many hotels have no air conditioning because they do not need it, but some rooms have heaters or thick blankets. Visitors from hot lowland cities often come just to wear a jacket and sit with a hot drink.

Dry season, November to April

The dry season runs from about November to April. This is the most popular time. Skies are often clear and blue, roads are dry and hiking trails are firm. It is the best time for Langbiang, viewpoints and sunrise trips above the clouds. December and January are the coolest months. Many flowers are in bloom near the end of the year, and the city sometimes holds a big flower festival in December, usually about every two years. Check the dates locally. The busiest days are around the Lunar New Year, usually in January or February. Hotels fill up and prices rise, so book early for those weeks.

Rainy season, May to October

The rainy season runs from about May to October. Mornings are often bright, and rain usually comes in the afternoon as short, heavy showers. You can still visit and enjoy fewer crowds and green hills. Plan outdoor trips for the morning and keep the afternoon for cafes, markets and museums. Some trails become muddy and slippery. Waterfalls are bigger and stronger, which looks good but makes water activities more risky. Mountain roads to and from Da Lat can have landslides after very heavy rain, so check road news before a long bus or motorbike trip.

Weekends and holidays

Da Lat is a top weekend escape for people from Ho Chi Minh City and other southern cities. On Friday night the buses and roads fill up, and on Saturday the night market, lake and famous cafes are crowded. If you can, visit from Monday to Thursday. Hotel prices are lower and the viewpoints are quieter. Vietnamese public holidays, such as the Lunar New Year, the long break around the end of April and early May, and early September, are the busiest times of all. During these dates book your bus, flight and room well ahead, and expect slow traffic on the passes.

Climate and Best Time at a glance

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