A Slow Weekend in Da Lat: Books, Freedom and Forest Retreats
Sometimes the best trips are the ones with no schedule.
This trip to Da Lat was special for us because my fiancée had recently decided to leave her well-paid corporate job and start working as a freelancer. The decision would give us more freedom to travel together and spend more time doing the things we love.
To celebrate this new chapter, we chose Da Lat.
I have visited Da Lat many times before, but this trip felt completely different. There were no meetings, no strict itinerary, and no rush. It was simply the two of us, our books, and a few peaceful days in the mountains.
The Journey from Ho Chi Minh City
We started our journey from District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City using Minh Nghia Limousine Services.
In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat.
We boarded the last limousine service at 11:30 PM. Surprisingly, apart from a Turkish traveller, we were the only passengers in the cabin. The quiet journey made the overnight trip comfortable and relaxing.
We arrived in Da Lat around 4:00 AM and headed directly to Mercure Da Lat.
Located close to Xuan Huong Lake, the hotel offered the perfect base to ease into the city’s slower rhythm.
[Read my full review of Mercure Da Lat]
Slowing Down
The purpose of this trip was not sightseeing.
We spent hours reading books, drinking coffee, taking walks, and simply enjoying the cool mountain weather that Da Lat is famous for.
In a world where every trip seems to require a checklist of attractions, it was refreshing to spend time doing absolutely nothing.
A Night in the Forest
For our second night, we moved to Mo Stay, a beautiful forest retreat on the outskirts of Da Lat.
The contrast was perfect.
After experiencing the charm of the city, we spent our final night surrounded by nature, pine trees, fresh air, and complete silence.
The peaceful atmosphere, excellent food, and beautiful scenery made it one of the highlights of the trip.
If you are looking for a place to disconnect from notifications, deadlines, and the noise of everyday life, Mo Stay offers exactly that.
[Read my full review of Mo Stay Da Lat]
Planning Your Own Da Lat Escape?
If you want to recreate this experience, I have put together a detailed weekend itinerary covering transport, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, and the best place to explore by scooter.
[Read: The Perfect Da Lat Weekend Itinerary from Ho Chi Minh City]
Final Thoughts
Da Lat has always been one of my favourite destinations in Vietnam, but this trip reminded me why.
It wasn’t the attractions that made the journey memorable.
It was the freedom, the slower pace, the books, the conversations, the kindness of strangers, and the opportunity to spend quality time together without distractions.
Sometimes the best trips are not about seeing more.
They are about slowing down enough to appreciate what is already around you.
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