Dalat -
the city of love
Maybe
it is the flowers that make Dalat such a haven
for lovers. Situated halfway between heaven
and earth on a plateau that separates it from
more mortal places, this honeymooner’s
heaven is nestled amid immense pine forests
and rolling hills.
Its ancient villas, tinged a graceful yellow
or somber ochre, are ringed with flamboyant
violets, grand old cherry trees and lithe mimosa.
Its streets are lined with tall trees and in
street markets people offer shrubs and bunch
of flowers for sale.
Dalat is one of the few places
in Vietnam where the temperature rarely exceeds
25ºC, even in mid summer. In the winter,
it seldom drops below 10ºC. This mild climate
makes it ideal for flowers that fail to flourish
in other parts of the country.
And so, Dalat has become a haven
for horticulturists. It is home to over 40 different
species of chrysanthemum, 15 species of rose,
and an astonishing 300 varieties of orchid.
Since the early 20th century, Lang Bian Plateau,
on which Dalat rests, has lured amateur orchidologists.
They came from as far away as London and Paris
to study the region’s orchids. Many take
clippings, which they carry home and nourish
lovingly so that botanical gardens across Europe
can later enhance their own orchid gardens.
Tulips, for example, arrived in Vietnam.
When dusk falls, young couples
prefer strolling in the streets, with their
arms round each other, while other people gather
in small shops or open markets to buy flowers.
Their love of horticulture is legendary, part
of the nature-loving character of local residents.
Perhaps it is not just the beautiful
flowers growing in Dalat from where so many
Vietnamese composers and poets have found inspiration
to write love songs and poems that tug at listeners’
heartstrings? Maybe the myriad of lakes and
waterfalls located around the city have something
to do with it. After all, which star struck
lover doesn’t dream of a romantic stroll
through majestic scenery, arm in arm with the
object of his or her affection?
Tuyen
Lam Lake is one spot where springs, rivers and
forests meet. Rain water comes down from Elephant
Mountain through the beautiful Tia spring and
Da Tam River into the lake which covers 350ha.
Other waterfalls flow like shining
walls of gems. Droplets the colour of sapphires
and emeralds spiral to their deaths, forming
fine sprays and dews as they fall. Visitors
to Dalat can walk the hazardous bridge below
Prenn Waterfall and listen to its waters as
they drum to the eternal rhythm of the forest.
Those looking for adventure can climb the near
vertical path up to the top of the Datanla Waterfall.
Each slab of stone is smooth and slippery, rubbed
to a fine polish by the footsteps of fairies
that were believed to walk around there.
Cam Ly Waterfall is just 3km
from the centre of Dalat and has inspired many
poets. One poet describes it as beautiful as
in a dream. Another famous spot is Da Thien
Lake. Its deep, mysterious waters draw visitors
to a charming place called Valley D’Amour
by the former French colonists who discovered
Dalat. Far beyond the valley, often shrouded
in an enticing mist, is the Lang Bian Mountain.
Lakes, mountains, mist. It would be difficult
to find a more romantic combination.
Dalat’s best-known lake
is Xuan Huong Lake, which locals treasure as
a gem in the heart of their flower city. It
is so beautiful that poet Han Mac Tu once uttered
the words:
Don’t talk. Just keep
silent
Listen to the water as it speaks from its depths
Listen to the trees as they whisper in the breeze
Listen to the words of love
Other scenic spots in
and around Dalat have inspired lovers over the
years. Although young couples come to these
places only once to experience a whirlwind romance,
they will never forget about having a good time
together.
(Source:
Voice of Vietnam)
