During my recent visit to Da Lat in early May, I experienced both sunny and rainy days in this beautiful city. I was able to do most things on that holiday even when it was raining. In this post, we will be looking at when is the best time to visit Da Lat, the weather and things you can do in each month.
Da Lat is a charming mountain city in the central highland region of Vietnam. It is known for its mild climate, beautiful natural landscape, and interesting historic and cultural attractions.
Da Lat has a cool climate with fresh and crisp air all year round. It has two main seasons, the dry season (November to March) and the rainy season (April to October). The city has a pretty steady temperature with the average temperature of 20°C, making it ideal for all activities.
When is the best time to visit Da Lat?
Dalat has stable weather year round, but, in my opinion, the dry season (November to March) is the best time to visit Da Lat. These months have comfortable temperatures (15°C to 26°C) with a lot of sunny days and little rain, so you can enjoy many outdoor activities.
Summer months such as April, May, June, and July can be busy months with locals as people from big cities flocking into Da lat to avoid the heat. Many Vietnamese students who have summer break (June to August) will come to Da Lat for holiday too, even though it’s the rainy season.
Da Lat in January
January is one of the best months to visit Da Lat with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 23°C. It is part of the dry season, so you’ll have cool, sunny daytime and chilly weather at night. This is also spring, so you can admire cherry blossoms and colorful blooming flowers.
January is also the time when locals prepare for Lunar New Year. You can admire the festive decorations, and check out local events such as dragon dances.
You can explore waterfalls, lakes, flower gardens, and pagodas. Popular natural attractions are the Datanla Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, Xuan Huong Lake and Tuyen Lam lake.
Additionally, the city has many historical and cultural attractions to explore. You can climb to the top of Linh An Pagoda, explore Linh Phuoc pagoda, Bao Dao Palace, and the old train station. You can take a cable car ride to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, explore Crazy House, and visit Me Linh Coffee Plantation.
January is quite cold in the evening, so be sure to bring a warm jacket with you. This is the great time to try grilled sweet potatoes and corn and check out the night market for many other delicious street foods. This is the strawberry season, so make sure to try it.
Da Lat in February
February is part of the dry season and a great month to explore Da Lat. The temperature in February ranges from 13°C to 26°C. The cool, dry weather makes it perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, and cycling.
You can explore waterfalls, flower gardens, hike to the top of Lang Biang mountain, explore local temples, and take a cable car ride.
If you travel to Da Lat during Tet holiday, which is usually held in early February, be sure to book hotels and flight tickets well in advance.
The weather is pretty chilly in February, especially at night, so bring a warm jacket with you.
Da Lat in March
March is one of the best months to go to Da Lat. March is the last month of the dry season, which has dry weather and little rain. Temperature ranges from 15°C to 27°C. Similar to January and February, this spring month is a great time to watch colorful flowers in full bloom.
Da Lat in April
April is a good month to visit Da lat. It is the beginning of monsoon season but there are still plenty of sunny days to enjoy outdoor activities. The temperature ranges from 20°C to 28°C. A day is typically dry in the morning and occasionally showers in the late afternoon.
April is the start of the summer months and it can be very hot in other cities in Vietnam. Da Lat becomes a popular destination for locals to escape the heat from big cities.
Take a note that accommodations and flights can be expensive if you are traveling around the 30th of April and 1st of May, which are long holidays in Vietnam. Be sure to book in advance during this period.
A light jacket or long sleeve is enough to keep you warm in the chilly evening in April.
Da Lat in May
I recently visited Da lat in early May and still have a perfect time exploring the city. The forecast said it would rain the whole time, but in reality, I had a couple of sunny days, and some days with drizzle in the late afternoon. With an umbrella and raincoat, you can still explore the city.
May’s weather is quite similar to April with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C. You can bring a light jacket to keep you warm in the evening.
May is a great time to take a walking tour around the city center, exploring major attractions such as Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, Bao Dai Palace, and Crazy House. Be sure to check out the night market where you can try local street food, buy souvenirs, and watch the street performances.
A bit outside of the city center, you can take a Grab or guided tour to Linh Phuoc pagoda, Linh An pagoda, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, and many stunning waterfalls.
Be sure to check out some delicious restaurants and trendy cafes such as Goc Ha Thanh, Nem Nuong Phuong, and An Cafe. If you are into nightlife and drink, have a look at the Maze Bar.
Da Lat in June
June is still a good time to explore Da Lat. As it is part of the rainy season, there will be rain every day but mostly in the afternoon, so you still have mornings for sunny and dry weather. The temperature ranges from 14°C to 27°C.
June to August are summer vacations for Vietnamese students, so lots of families go on holidays. People also come to Da Lat to escape the heat from nearby cities. If you are visiting Da Lat in June, be sure to bring an umbrella or light raincoast when going out.
On the cold rainy drizzling days, you can enjoy indoor activities, explore the trendy coffee shops and enjoy the romantic atmosphere
Da Lat in July
July is the middle of the rainy season in Da lat, which is typically from April to October. The rainfall is more than previous months. The rain can affect your outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Da Lat in August
Similar to July, August is part of the rainy season in Da Lat. If you don’t like the rain, this might not be the best month to travel to Da Lat. August is still part of the summer holiday for students in Vietnam (June to August), so many local families choose to go on holiday here.
Da Lat in September
September is part of the rainy season in Da Lat. If you don’t mind the rain, it might be a good time to travel on a budget. Temperature ranges from 17°C to 24°C.
September 2nd is Independence Day, so you can be busy and expensive if you are traveling around this time.
Da Lat in October
October is the last month of the rainy season in Da Lat, with less rain compared to previous months. If you don’t mind the rain, it is a good budget-friendly month to travel to Da Lat. You can find some good deals for accommodations and flight tickets.
Da Lat in November
November is one of the good months to explore Da Lat. This is the start of the dry season, so there are more sunny days for outdoor explorations and sightseeing. It can be cold in the early morning and evening, so pack your clothes accordingly.
Da Lat in December
December is one of the best and popular months to travel to Da Lat. This is the part of the dry season, so you’ll have more sunny days and dry weather. It can be quite cold, so bring the warm jacket with you. Temperatures range from 15°C to 22°C.
See more:
- Best things to do in Da Lat & Travel Guide for first-timers
- Where to stay in Da Lat
- 2 to 3 Days in Da Lat Itinerary
Overall, the dry season (November to March) is the best time to explore Da Lat. These months have dry weather and little to no rain, making it perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
April and May are early rainy seasons with warmer weather and little rain (mostly in the afternoon), so you still have plenty of time for outdoor exploration.
June to August has more frequent rains but still attracts lots of domestic travelers as it is the student‘s three-month summer break in Vietnam.