Explore Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat with detailed review 2026

Xuan Huong Lake is located right in the center of Da Lat city, an ideal stop for those who love the romantic beauty and chilly atmosphere typical of the mountain town. With its calm water surface reflecting the green pine trees, this place attracts a large number of tourists to stroll, cycle or enjoy coffee along the lake in a peaceful space.

When visiting Xuan Huong Lake, you will not only admire the poetic scenery but also have the opportunity to enjoy interesting experiences associated with local life and culture. This is the ideal destination for you to keep memorable memories, temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of life and find relaxation for your soul on your trip to Da Lat.

1. Introduction to Xuan Huong Lake Da Lat

Xuan Huong Lake is a poetic symbol located in the heart of Da Lat city, drawing crowds of visitors with its gentle beauty, fresh air and quiet space. With a calm lake surface winding around rows of green pine trees, this is not only an ideal destination for relaxation but also a place to mark the typical cultural features of the misty mountain town.

1.1. Origin & history of Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat

According to historical documents, Xuan Huong Lake was originally a small stream originating from Cam Ly waterfall, flowing through the land that was once the center of festive activities of the indigenous Lach people. In 1919, a French envoy named Cunhac proposed building a dam to block this stream, forming an artificial lake.

The area from Thuy Ta restaurant to major roads such as Bui Thi Xuan, Dinh Tien Hoang, Nguyen Thai Hoc is combined into Grand Lac Lake (Big Lake). In 1953 the lake officially took the name “Xuan Huong Lake”, and in 1988, this place was recognized as a national scenic spot.

From Xuan Huong Lake in the centre, it is 5 km toward Trai Mat, about 12–15 minutes by motorbike, to Xom Leo — see directions.

1.2. The Legend of Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat

Xuan Huong Lake, considered the heart of Da Lat city, has a rare beauty with a romantic and peaceful space. When coming here, visitors can immerse themselves in the fresh air, enjoy relaxing moments to forget the troubles of everyday life. In particular, many people visiting Xuan Huong Lake cannot help but be curious about the origin of the unique name of this place. According to indigenous people, there are two popular theories explaining the name of the lake:

Hypothesis 1: Based on a poet’s name
In the 19th century, female artist Ho Xuan Huong was known as “The Queen of Nom Poetry” - a prominent symbol in Vietnamese literature with her profound and romantic satirical works. According to this hypothesis, to commemorate and honor her, people gave her name to the lake in the heart of Da Lat, as a way to recall the poetic beauty and soaring spirit that her poetry conveys.

Hypothesis 2: Based on the fragrance of the lake in spring
The second theory is that every spring, the lake is filled with the gentle scent of plants and flowers, combined with the chirping of birds and colorful flowers, creating an enchanting natural picture. That spring scent is said to be the reason the ancients called this place Xuan Huong Lake - a name that both evokes the scent of spring and represents the typical poetic beauty of Da Lat.

1.3. Xuan Huong Lake Da Lat – Address & Directions

Xuan Huong Lake is located in Ward 1, right in the center of Da Lat city, Lam Dong province. The lake is surrounded by lush green grass, blooming flower gardens and a large pine forest, creating a harmonious scene between nature and urban areas.

As a large lake right in the centre of Da Lat, Xuan Huong Lake is easy to find thanks to its prime location, surrounded by Tran Quoc Toan Street. Visitors can easily get here by taxi, motorbike taxi or personal vehicle. Just a few minutes away from Da Lat market or central hotels, you can immerse yourself in the fresh space and relax by the lake.

1.4. How wide is Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat?

Xuan Huong Lake is an artificial lake with an area of about 25 hectares with a circumference of nearly 5km. The lake has a unique crescent shape, stretching more than 2km, embracing many prominent locations such as Lam Vien square, city flower garden, Yersin park and Cu Hill. This is also the ideal connection point between major tourist areas, creating favorable conditions for tourists to both visit and relax along the journey to explore Da Lat.

2. What’s interesting about Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat during the day?

Daytime is the ideal time to fully explore the bright and peaceful beauty of Xuan Huong Lake. The space is full of vitality, gentle sunlight blends with the green of the grass and trees creating an extremely relaxing scene. Below are attractive activities that you should not miss when visiting the lake during the day.

2.1. Duck riding at Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat

For those who love new experiences and want to be closer to nature, duck-riding activities at Xuan Huong Lake will be the ideal choice. You can go to the intersection area between Dinh Tien Hoang and Tran Quoc Toan streets to rent a duck bike for about 30,000 VND/hour. The experience of floating on the water, letting yourself follow the gentle rowing rhythm will help you fully feel the shimmering, lyrical beauty of the lake.

2.2. Take a walk to admire the beautiful scenery of Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat by many different means

Besides duck riding, you can also choose other forms to admire the beautiful scenery around the lake:

• Horse carriage ride:A poetic form of sightseeing, suitable for tourists who love new feelings. From the boat wharf area, a horse-drawn carriage will take you through the romantic roads towards the city’s flower gardens. This is a great way to explore the charming beauty of Da Lat without much exercise.

• Twin cycling:The space around the lake is covered with cool pine trees and fresh air, ideal for relaxing cycling with relatives or friends. This is also an opportunity for you to preserve memorable moments amid poetic scenery.

2.3. Organize a small picnic on the banks of Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat with relatives and friends

The lakeshore has many spacious lawns, very suitable for organizing light picnics. Bring a rug, some snacks and a few small games, and you can enjoy fun time with relatives or friends amid a peaceful natural setting. Remember to clean up after finishing to preserve the inherent beauty of the lake.

2.4. Check-in preserves the romantic and poetic image of Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat

Don’t forget to bring a camera or phone to capture beautiful moments at the lake. Morning or evening is the ideal time to check in with a cup of warm coffee or hot milk, when the lake surface reflects the gentle sunlight and the surrounding scenery becomes more gentle and dreamy than ever. These will definitely be “memorable” photos in your journey to discover Da Lat.

3. Experiences not to be missed at Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat at night

When night falls, Xuan Huong Lake takes on a quiet and seductive beauty. The typical cold air of Da Lat makes the experience of walking around the lake in the evening even more poetic. Below are attractive activities that you should not miss when exploring Xuan Huong Lake at night.

3.1. Enjoy delicious Da Lat snacks near Xuan Huong Lake

At night, Da Lat becomes foggy and chilly, making lakeside snacks even more attractive. Just step onto the street, you will see a series of carts and stalls selling all kinds of hot specialties such as grilled rice paper, grilled corn, grilled sweet potatoes or cups of hot soy milk. Not only do they help dispel the cold, these dishes also have the typical flavor of the mountain town.

3.2. Sip a cup of coffee and admire the beauty of Da Lat at night at Xuan Huong Lake

Around Xuan Huong Lake, there are many outstanding cafes such as Thuy Ta, Bich Cau, Thanh Thuy, where you can sip coffee and watch the sparkling reflections on the lake surface. The romantic, gentle space here is very suitable for relaxing, chatting with friends or simply enjoying a peaceful night in the foggy city.

3.3. Participate in street singing exchanges near Xuan Huong Lake

In the evening, the lakeside area often hosts street music performances, creating a vibrant yet artistic space. You can comfortably listen or participate in exchanges, sing with the band, and connect with new friends through music. This is an interesting cultural activity that helps Da Lat’s nightlife become more lively and memorable.

4. Travel tips for Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat

To make the most of your visit to Xuan Huong Lake, keep in mind the following tips on where to stay, what to eat, the best time to go and nearby attractions.

Where to stay:

Hotels with a view over Xuan Huong Lake are perfect for travellers who want to enjoy the dreamy setting from their own room. A few standout suggestions:

• Kings Hotel – right next to Lam Vien Square, modern facilities and a beautiful outlook.

• Marguerite Hotel – understated style and a handy location for walking around the lake.

• Rum Vang Hotel – close to the centre, reasonably priced, good for families or groups of friends.

Where to eat:

During the day, if you are unsure what to eat near Xuan Huong Lake, try these well-known addresses:

• Da Lat banh uot long ga (steamed rice rolls with chicken offal) – 202/2/5 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 2: distinctive flavour and a rich fish sauce.

• Tang Bat Ho soy milk – 64 Tang Bat Ho, Ward 1: a hot soy milk spot familiar to visitors and locals alike.

Best time to visit:

Although Da Lat is cool all year round, February and March are the loveliest time to visit Xuan Huong Lake. In those months the weather is dry, the sun is gentle and flowers bloom everywhere – ideal for walking the lake, taking photos or having a picnic. April is a transition month and can bring rain.

Attractions near Xuan Huong Lake:

From Xuan Huong Lake you can easily reach many other well-known landmarks, such as:

• Da Lat Market – a lively shopping hub and a place to try local specialities.

• Chicken Church – a classic piece of French architecture and a symbol of the city.

• Lam Vien Square – with its striking giant wild sunflower and artichoke bud structures.

• The City Flower Garden – home to hundreds of flower species in bloom all year.

5. Where to eat after exploring Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat

After strolling around Xuan Huong Lake and soaking up Da Lat’s signature chill in the air, I carried on with an afternoon at the old railway station – a place that holds its age beautifully in every weathered carriage and every line of French architecture. And then, as if by happy accident, I stumbled upon Xom Leo Grill & Chill – a grill restaurant that is not just good food but has one of the best views around.

From where you sit you can look out to the railway tracks in the distance, watch a soft sunset wash the whole place orange, and see the greenhouses light up and shimmer through the drifting mist. Gathered around the glowing charcoal grill with fragrant skewers in a warm, laid-back space, it is the perfect end to a day wandering through dreamy Da Lat.

📍 Xom Leo Grill & Chill – 113 Huynh Tan Phat, Xuan Truong Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong

👉 If you are after a warm evening, good food and scenery you will not forget, do not skip this place.

📌 Book a Table: Message us on Messenger

📌 Directions: Get Directions

📌 Hotline: 076.45.27.336

Exploring Xuan Huong Lake is a chance to lose yourself in dreamy scenery and feel the calm that defines the mountain town of Da Lat. After a full day out, do not forget to stop by Xom Leo Grill & Chill – a cosy grill restaurant with a wonderfully romantic sunset view. Here you can enjoy fragrant grilled dishes while letting your mind drift over a misty Da Lat at dusk. It is the ideal place to end the day and hold on to the moments worth remembering.