THE HIGHLAND FUGUE: A Tet Escape to the City of Pines

Tet in Saigon is quiet, but Tet in Da Lat is a blooming, vibrant spectacle. It is the scent of pine needles mixed with street food smoke, the bite of the cool air on your skin, and the sight of thousands of flowers waking up for spring. We are trading the humidity of the lowlands for the crisp altitude of the Lang Biang plateau.

This 3-day expedition is a condensed injection of mountain magic. We will stand under the thunder of Pongour Waterfall, play nomad in the surreal steppes of Mongo Land, and trace the colonial ghosts of the French Quarter. It is a journey of thermal shock and visual delight.

The Waterfall, The Steppe, and The Station

DAY 1: The Seven-Level Fall & The Night Market | Saigon – Pongour – Da Lat

Points of Interest: Pongour Waterfall, Mimosa Pass, Da Lat Night Market.

The Experience: We depart Saigon at dawn. The drive is a slow ascent. We leave the rubber plantations behind and climb into the tea hills. First stop: Pongour Waterfall. Known as the "Seven-Level Waterfall," it is a massive, terraced curtain of water crashing over volcanic rock. It is loud, primal, and magnificent. The Drive: We enter the city via the Mimosa Pass, winding through valleys filled with yellow mimosa flowers. The Evening: We check in and then hit the streets. The Da Lat Night Market is a chaotic, wonderful mess of wool hats, grilled sweet potatoes, and soy milk. We walk along Xuan Huong Lake, shivering slightly in the best possible way.

Suggestions:

The Food: In the market, try Banh Trang Nuong (Vietnamese Pizza). It’s crispy, hot, and essential for the cold weather.

The Drink: Order a hot soy milk (Sua Dau Nanh Nung) from a street vendor. Sit on a small plastic stool and watch the world go by.

DAY 2: The Nomadic Dream & The Art Deco | Mongo Land – Railway Station

Points of Interest: Mongo Land, Domaine de Marie Church, Da Lat Railway Station, Lam Vien Square.

The Experience: We wake up to the mist. We head to Mongo Land, a surreal slice of Mongolia in the Vietnamese highlands. We wear traditional robes, feed sheep on green hills, and slide down dry slopes. It is kitschy, fun, and totally unexpected. The History: We visit Domaine de Marie, a pink limestone convent that looks like it was airlifted from Provence. Then, the Da Lat Railway Station. It is an Art Deco masterpiece with a cog railway engine that once climbed these hills. The Icon: We end at Lam Vien Square, standing beneath the giant glass artichoke and wild sunflower buds that define the modern city skyline.

Suggestions:

The Photo: At the Railway Station, look for the stained glass windows in the ticket hall. The light in the afternoon is beautiful.

DAY 3: The Coffee Awakening | Da Lat – Bao Loc – Saigon

Points of Interest: Da Lat Market, Phu An Weasel Coffee Farm.

The Experience: A final morning in the market to buy strawberries and artichoke tea. We visit Phu An Weasel Coffee Farm. We see the civets and learn about the controversial but famous coffee production process. The smell of roasting beans is the perfect goodbye to the highlands. The Descent: We drive back to Saigon, stopping for lunch in Bao Loc, the tea capital. We arrive in the city in the evening, the memories of the cool air lingering like a ghost.

Suggestions:

The Souvenir: Buy a bag of Artichoke Tea (Tra Atiso). It’s great for the liver and a classic Da Lat gift.

The Thunder of Pongour

It happens on Day 1. You walk down the path and hear it before you see it—a low rumble that vibrates in your chest. Then, Pongour Waterfall reveals itself. It isn't just one drop; it is a wide, multi-tiered amphitheater of water. During Tet, the flow is usually strong. Standing at the base, mist spraying your face, surrounded by the dry forest, you feel the raw power of the plateau. It is the "Nam Thien De Nhat Thac" ( The Best Waterfall in the South), and it earns the title.

The Highland Secrets

The "Kem Bo" Rule: Find a cafe serving Kem Bo (Avocado Ice Cream). The avocados here are buttery and rich, blended with condensed milk and topped with coconut ice cream. It is life-changing.

The Layering: Da Lat weather is fickle. It can be hot at noon and freezing at midnight. Dress in layers. Bring a light jacket even if it's sunny.

The Pink Church

At Domaine de Marie, I stood in the garden looking at the pink limestone walls. It was built in the 1940s, a time when the world was at war, yet here in this quiet corner of the highlands, nuns were planting flowers. The church is a fusion of French and Vietnamese architecture—the roof mimics the shape of a Central Highlands communal house. It’s a reminder that Da Lat isn't just a copy of France; it’s a unique hybrid, a place where cultures met in the mist and created something beautiful.

The Climate is Calling

Tet is the perfect time to visit Da Lat. The flowers are in full bloom. The air is at its crispest. You need to wear a sweater and drink hot soy milk by the lake. Pack your jacket. The bus leaves at 05:30 AM.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.