In August 2026, I joined a familiarization trip to Lam Dong Province, organised by its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The journey introduced me to two contrasting sides of the province: the warm coast around Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, and the cooler highlands of Da Lat. After the Lam Dong programme, I stayed additional nights in Ho Chi Minh City on my own and explored the city.

From Ho Chi Minh City to the coast

I arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and travelled by bus towards eastern Lam Dong. After a lunch stop on the way, I checked in at Lotus Mui Ne Resort and Spa. The drive took around four hours.

The first evening was free, giving me time to settle in and enjoy the relaxed coastal surroundings before the visits began.

Discovering Mui Ne and Phan Thiet

The next morning, I visited Bau Trang U&ME to explore its tourism products and visitor experiences. I then went to the Mui Ne Mineral Mud Center, where I learned about its relaxation and rejuvenation services.

In the afternoon, I toured Anantara Mui Ne Resort and Aroma Beach Resort and Spa. These visits offered a closer look at the hospitality and resort experiences available to travellers in the region. The day concluded at NovaWorld Phan Thiet, an entertainment and resort complex in Tien Thanh Ward.

After a full schedule, the evening was free. Mui Ne’s coastal setting made for a pleasant change of pace: a relaxed dinner and time to unwind provided a quiet contrast to the day’s site visits.

From the coast to Da Lat

After breakfast, I travelled from the coast to central Lam Dong, arriving in Da Lat around midday. The change in climate was noticeable. The coastal warmth gave way to cooler highland air, making a light jacket useful.

After lunch and a short rest, I visited Da Lat Wonder Resort by Tuyen Lam Lake. I then continued to Datanla Waterfall, followed by dinner at Datanla Restaurant. Surrounded by green highland scenery and cooler air, this part of the programme offered a different atmosphere from the coast.

Da Lat’s evening atmosphere

Da Lat felt especially inviting after sunset. The cooler air and relaxed pace made the evenings feel distinct from the warm coastal nights. I explored the central night market, where visitors can browse stalls, sample street food and take in the lively flow of people. The market gives the city centre a sociable, bustling feel, while nearby cafés and restaurants offer quieter places to sit and unwind.

The contrast is part of Da Lat’s appeal: the night market is lively and informal, while a café or dinner out can make for a slower, more relaxed evening. The official Da Lat tourism site also lists the night market among the city’s evening attractions.

Hotels, Valley of Love and tourism connections

The following morning included visits to Dalat Palace, Duparc Hotel Dalat and LaDalat. I then continued to Valley of Love, where lunch was arranged.

In the afternoon, I attended “Exchange, Networking and Cooperation for Tourism Development: Lam Dong and Indian Partners.” The session brought tourism professionals together to discuss ways to strengthen connections between Lam Dong and the Indian travel market. The day concluded with a gala dinner, giving everyone a chance to continue conversations in a social setting.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City after dark

After the Lam Dong programme, I stayed additional nights in Ho Chi Minh City and explored independently. The city’s nightlife was a striking contrast to Da Lat’s cooler, more relaxed evenings. As night falls, the city centre glows with lights, and people gather to stroll, meet friends, eat and enjoy the atmosphere.

I explored Nguy?n Hu? Walking Street, a broad pedestrian boulevard in the heart of the city. It is a lively place for an evening walk and people-watching, with illuminated buildings and plenty of activity around the surrounding streets. Nearby, the city offers rooftop bars, cocktail lounges, restaurants and late-night food spots, ranging from polished venues with skyline views to casual places for a quick meal.

For a more energetic scene, Bùi Vi?n Walking Street is known for its busy bars, music and crowds. It has a much louder, more fast-paced atmosphere than Nguy?n Hu?, so visitors can choose the kind of evening that suits them. Ho Chi Minh City’s official tourism site describes Nguy?n Hu? as a popular gathering place and notes the range of nearby evening venues.

A varied introduction to Lam Dong and Vietnam

The Lam Dong trip combined coastal resorts, wellness experiences, entertainment, waterfalls, highland scenery, accommodation visits and tourism networking. Travelling from Mui Ne to Da Lat showed me how different the experiences within one province can be.

My additional stay in Ho Chi Minh City gave me time to explore at my own pace and experience a very different side of Vietnam. Da Lat offered cooler nights and a relaxed highland mood; Ho Chi Minh City was bright, energetic and full of evening activity. Together, these experiences gave me a richer impression of the destinations and travel styles Vietnam can offer