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Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Vietnam

By Hilton Luke

March 15^th, 2019

Da Lat

Two years after my first visit to Vietnam, I am back! This time for 10 days to take in Da Lat, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

First up, Da Lat; a 40 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City located in Vietnam’s southern central highlands.

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

I wake early on the second day to get some photos of the sunrise from my hotel window.

At 8am, Binh a local guide collects me from the hotel for a day tour of pine forests, waterfalls and local villages.

If you go to Da Lat, I recommend you check out Binh's day tour—it was great value for money and he is an excellent, personable tour guide.

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Datanla waterfall

There are two ways to get to the bottom of the mountain to see the waterfall; hike down or take the rollercoaster. I decided on the rollercoaster. It cost 150,000VND (about $10AUD), it's relatively cheap and a lot of fun.

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Chicken village

Intricately made bags and clothes by a local teenage girl in the village.

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

ba vi national park

Having already visited Hanoi and explored its Old Quarter extensively, I wanted to experience something away from the craziness—this national park tour on With Locals looked promising.

My Hanoi local guide, Loan, picked me up from my hotel at 9am and we made our way through morning peak hour toward Ba Vi National Park.

After 2 hours on the road, we reach the park. We visit 3 man-made sites, each pathed with over 1000 steps amongst natural beauty I've only ever seen in movies—truly stunning!

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Cathedral pour Ba vi

I'm told that the French used to escape the Hanoi summer heat by visiting Ba Vi National Park and the Cathedral pour Ba Vi. After the French left Vietnam, the cathedral fell into disrepair and now locals visit for picnics.

Eerie with the low-level fog, but amazing photography!

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Da Lat & Ba Vi National Park

Footnotes

Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV, 35mm f/1.4L, 50mm f/1.2L and 85mm f/1.4L IS

FootNotes

Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV, 35mm f/1.4L, 50mm f/1.2L and 85mm f/1.4L IS

© 2026 Hilton Luke

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