My first Da Lat camping trip

Wild camping in the pine forests of the Central Highlands, which spread in all directions over the mountains around Dalat, is one of my most memorable travel experiences in this part of Vietnam. As much as I like the city of Dalat, it’s the surrounding landscape that most appeals to me whenever I make the journey up to this area of the Central Highlands: purple mountains cloaked in pine forests stretching into the misty distance; the smell of wood smoke and coffee blossom scenting the cool air; the stillness and silence of an alpine landscape most people wouldn’t normally associate with tropical Vietnam. For me, by far the most rewarding way to experience this region is by camping independently in the pine forests north of Dalat. On this page, I’ve compiled an introductory guide to how to camp in Dalat.

thien