Introduction

For most tourists, when they visit Da Lat, Xuan Huong Lake is the first attraction to see. It’s where nature and vibrant urban life intersect. With its prime location and poetic charm, the lake is not only a symbol of the city but also an ideal starting point for your Lam Dong tour

Xuan Huong Lake is an ideal starting point for your Lam Dong tour

Xuan Huong Lake is an ideal starting point for your Lam Dong tour

General Information about Xuan Huong Lake

Xuan Huong Lake is an artificial lake created to serve tourism purposes. The lake is crescent-shaped, has a circumference of about 5 kilometers and an area of more than 26 hectares. Because of the large area, the lake is next to many famous landmarks of Da Lat, such as Cu Hill, Yersin Park and Da Lat Flower Garden. In many Vietnam travel guides, Xuan Huong Lake is always recommended as a must-see spot.

View of Xuan Huong Lake from above

View of Xuan Huong Lake from above

About the name Xuan Huong, many people believe that it comes from the name of a famous Vietnamese female poet to commemorate her romantic soul, as well as her great contributions to the country's literature. However, according to many Da Lat locals, the name of the lake simply means “the scent of spring” in Vietnamese, which is inspired by the fragrance from hundreds of flowers blooming and blending together.

Location

Xuan Huong Lake is located in Northern Xuan Huong Ward, Lam Dong Province, surrounded by Tran Quoc Toan Street. Before the 2025 administrative reform, the lake used to be in the center of the 1st Ward, Da Lat City. This prime location, along with the unique shape, makes Xuan Huong Lake a symbol of Da Lat. In addition, visitors can also visit Mongo Land - Da Lat, one of the attractive entertainment areas near Xuan Huong Lake.

Best time to visit

In contrast to other parts of Vietnam, the weather in Da Lat is cool all year round. Each season brings its own beauty, making the lake always charming in every moment. In particular, you should visit Xuan Huong Lake from January to April, because at this time hundreds of flowers bloom, so you are having a higher chance of seeing this colourful scene that often appears in many Vietnam travel guides.

From January to April, you can see a colourful appearance of the lake

From January to April, you can see a colourful appearance of the lake

Also during that time, if you come to Da Lat during Tet Holiday, the best view to watch fireworks is from Xuan Huong Lake. You will have the opportunity to see colourful fireworks with a clear view of the sky.

How to get there

From Lien Khuong International Airport, you can either choose to travel to the center of Da Lat by taxi or by bus. First, go along the Lien Khuong - Prenn Highway for 20 kilometers. Then, turn left and keep following the route of Prenn Pass and Ba Thang Tu Street for another 9 kilometers until you see Lam Dong Radio and Television Station. From here, you can choose Ho Tung Mau Street or Ba Huyen Thanh Quan to reach Xuan Huong Lake.

You can take a taxi or bus to travel from Lien Khuong International Airport to Xuan Huong Lake

You can take a taxi or bus to travel from Lien Khuong International Airport to Xuan Huong Lake

Taxi: This is a popular means of transport for travelling from the airport to Da Lat. At the arrival hall, visitors can quickly find reliable taxi companies such as Mai Linh Taxi, Thang Loi, etc., always ready to serve their travel needs. A taxi usually takes about 30–45 minutes and costs under VND 400,000 per ride.

Bus: Buses are a cost-effective way to travel, especially for those who are not in a hurry. To get to Xuan Huong Lake, take route number 3. Fares vary from VND 50,000 to VND 60,000 depending on the time and policy of each company, and travel times may be longer during peak times. Also, the bus comes every 60 minutes, so be patient if you choose this way of travelling.

Note: The information is for reference only and may change from time to time.

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What to see at Xuan Huong Lake

Pedalling & enjoying the cool breeze

One of the most popular activities to do when visiting Xuan Huong Lake is pedalling a duck boat, just like on other lakes in Vietnam. Pedalling has existed here since before the 1990s, and for over 30 years, this service has provided healthy recreational activities on the lake, therefore creating a beautiful, lively scene in the area.

Pedalling is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting Xuan Huong Lake

Pedalling is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting Xuan Huong Lake

To experience this activity, go to the boat parking area between Tran Quoc Toan Street and Dinh Tien Hoang Street, and you will be able to see plenty of duck boats along the lake. You can rent one for about VND 60,000 to VND 120,000/person/hour, depending on the size of the boat. After that, you can start your journey to enjoy the scenery on Xuan Huong Lake.

Note: The pedal boat service may be closed at times, so please check before arranging your schedule.

Stroll or cycle around the lake

If you want to have a refreshing way to sightsee around Xuan Huong Lake, you can have a walk or easily rent a bicycle. In addition, there are also tandem bikes, which are suitable for couples. When cycling, you can see the busy traffic passing by on one side and the peaceful scenery of the lake on the other side. 

You can stroll or cycle as a refreshing way to sightsee around Xuan Huong Lake

You can stroll or cycle as a refreshing way to sightsee around Xuan Huong Lake

To rent a bike, you just need to pay between VND 30,000 and VND 50,000. This can be seen as an eco-friendly tourism activity that is worth doing in Da Lat.

Have a small picnic with family and friends

There are vast, green lawns along the banks of Xuan Huong Lake that shine on sunny days, which seem to spread out as giant carpets. Therefore, many groups of people are choosing this place to go on a picnic. Along with the gentle breeze from the lake, this will help you wash out your worries behind and enjoy a moment of complete peace.

There are many vast, green lawns suitable for picnics

There are many vast, green lawns suitable for picnics

However, visitors should take into account that they need to be aware of environmental protection and not litter to help preserve the beauty of this place.

Enjoying drinks at cafés

In case you want to wind down, nothing is better than enjoying a drink with a lake view. There are plenty of famous cafés around Xuan Huong Lake, and the most popular of which are Bich Cau, Thanh Thuy and Thuy Ta. From here, you can have your cup of hot coffee while enjoying the poetic view of the lake.

You can enjoy a drink in many cafés with a view of the lake

You can enjoy a drink in many cafés with a view of the lake

Conclusion

Xuan Huong Lake is one of the famous attractions that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Da Lat. With a convenient location for travelling to other places, as well as its own poetic appearance, Xuan Huong Lake promises to bring you unforgettable moments in the heart of this attraction. Asia King Travel offers plenty of Da Lat tours and across the Highlands of Vietnam, so feel free to contact us if you are interested!

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