THE HIGHLAND FUGUE: A New Year's Reset in the City of Pines

The New Year in Saigon is a humid affair, a sticky collision of fireworks and exhaust. But just six hours to the northeast, the world tilts on its axis. The air thins. The humidity vanishes. The smell of asphalt is replaced by the olfactory punch of pine resin and woodsmoke.

We are embarking on a 72-hour kinetic injection into Da Lat. This is not a sleepy retreat; it is a sensory awakening. From the thundering basalt steps of Pongour Waterfall to the surreal, wind-swept steppes of Mongo Land, this itinerary is designed to shock your system out of the old year and into the new. It is a journey of thermal contrast, architectural nostalgia, and coffee-fueled exploration.

The Waterfall, The Nomad, and The Station

DAY 1: The Basalt Thunder & The Night Market | Saigon – Da Lat

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

The Experience: We depart the lowlands before dawn. As the elevation climbs, the temperature drops. We bypass the treacherous Prenn Pass for the softer, flower-lined curves of the Mimosa Pass. Our first stop is a geological titan: Pongour Waterfall. Known as the "Seven-Level Waterfall," it is a massive amphitheater of water crashing over terraced volcanic rock. It is loud, primal, and utterly magnificent. The Evening: We check in and hit the streets. The Da Lat Night Market is a chaotic ballet of wool hats and grilling food. We sit on tiny stools, shivering slightly, drinking hot soy milk and eating "Vietnamese Pizza" (Banh Trang Nuong).

Suggestions:

The Drink: Order Sua Dau Nanh Bo (Soy milk with cow's milk). It’s richer and warms the bones instantly.

The Gear: Da Lat nights in January are genuinely cold. Bring a real jacket, not just a windbreaker.

DAY 2: The Steppe & 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 transplanted to the Vietnamese highlands. We roam the green hills among colorful yurts, feeding sheep and rabbits. It is kitschy, yes, but undeniably fun and photogenic. The History: We shift gears to the colonial past. We visit Domaine de Marie, a pink limestone convent that blends French structure with the roofline of a Highland communal house. Then, the Da Lat Railway Station. It is an Art Deco masterpiece, a relic of the cog railway that once linked the mountains to the sea. 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, wait for the afternoon light to hit the stained glass in the ticket hall. It creates a kaleidoscope effect on the floor.

DAY 3: The Caffeine Exit | Da Lat – Bao Loc – Saigon

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

The Experience: A final morning to raid the market for strawberries and artichoke tea. We stop at Phu An Weasel Coffee Farm. We see the civets and witness the production of one of the world's most controversial and expensive coffees. The smell of roasting Robusta is thick in the air. The Descent: We drive back down to the plains, stopping for lunch in Bao Loc, the tea capital. We arrive in Saigon as the sun sets, the cool mountain air fading like a dream.

The Seven Steps of Pongour

It happens on Day 1. You walk down the path through the dry forest and hear the roar before you see the water. Then, Pongour Waterfall reveals itself. It isn't a vertical drop; it is a wide, terraced cascade. The water sheets over seven distinct levels of black stone, creating a curtain of white foam. Standing at the base, mist spraying your face, you feel the raw power of the Central Highlands. It is a moment of pure geological awe that makes the long drive worth every minute.

The Highland Secrets

The "Kem Bo" Rule: Find a cafe serving Kem Bo (Avocado Ice Cream). The avocados here are grown on the plateau and are exceptionally buttery. Blended with condensed milk and topped with coconut ice cream, it is a texture bomb.

The Strawberry Trap: When buying strawberries at the market, ask to taste first. The local variety is tart; the hydroponic varieties are sweet but expensive. Know what you are buying before you haggle.

The Cog Railway

Standing on the platform of the Da Lat Railway Station, I looked at the old steam engine. It’s silent now, but in the 1930s, this was a marvel of engineering, using a cog system to climb the steep pass from Phan Rang. The station itself, designed by French architects Moncet and Reveron, mimics the shape of the Lang Biang mountain peaks. It’s a poignant reminder that Da Lat was built as a dream—a European fantasy imposed on an Asian landscape, creating a city that belongs to neither world, but is beautiful because of it.

The Climate is Calling

The New Year is the absolute peak of Da Lat's beauty. The cherry blossoms (Mai Anh Dao) are beginning to wake up. The air is crisp. You need to wear a sweater and drink hot coffee in the mist. 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.