In the Valley of Love in Dalat

Dalat Landscape, Photo by An Bui

The plateau which is now known as Dalat City was discovered by French bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin and was mapped in 1893. In the middle of the 1910s, the urban area of Dalat was formed and gradually became a resort center for French governmental officials and the rich French people in Indochina. In 1930, the French named the green and romantic valley “Vallé d’Amour” (“Thung Lung Tình Yêu” in Vietnamese and “Valley of Love” in English). In the reign of King Bao Dai, the region was called the Valley of Peace. Since 1953, it has recovered the name of Valley of Love until nowadays. In 1972, a dam was built and Da Thien Lake came into being. In 1998, the Da Thien Lake - Valley of Love was recognized as a national landscape.

The attraction of the landmark is from natural and romantic features of a green and charming space. The reclamation and investment of humans also add more fascinating features for guests to contemplate sceneries there. From a hill of flowers and green trees to tiny paths draw many couples in love to come. Arriving at the valley, travelers will see the image of two pairs of hands exchanging rings, a statue of couples affectionate to each other, or even benches symbolizing well-match couples.

Covering 242 hectares, the Valley of Love is an ideal venue for those who love picnicking and camping. Poetic landscapes plus melodious sounds of the pine forest in the wind, and the 13-hectare Da Thien Lake make the scene there more stunning.

The Valley of Love has been chosen to host many interesting events such as the Valentine’s Day (February 14), the Kissing Festival in 2008 attracting the participation of 500 couples, or the Dancing Festival in 2009. Since 2011, a special park, the Rose Park, which is a garden of rose flowers of various colors, has been built on a romantic hill. There are iron frames designed into two hearts as a place for couples to make vows as well as append the love padlocks. And the keys are thrown into the lake in the center of the park near the statue of love.

At the foot of the hill is Da Thien Lake whose water is clear amidst the beautiful greenery. Many couples hire boats to hang around on the lake, and then sit under the shade of the immense pine forest to speak softly love to each other. The hill in the valley is covered by green grass and pine trees where guests can enjoy their private dreamland. Another path leads tourists to Mimosa Stream flowing from the downstream of Da Thien Dam surrounded by mimosa flowers. It is a heaven on earth as visitors can listen to the singing of the stream while smelling the scents of flowers.

The Valley of Love is deserved to be called a place imbrued with love thanks to its natural beauty. The road around Da Thien Lake is covered with shade trees and leads to Eden Hill, where there are a small garden, tiny tents, and tables and chairs made from stumps. Sitting on this hill, visitors can see the entire lake sparkling below.

In the Valley of Love, tourists can indulge themselves in the nature and let their minds drift away with the pine trees’ songs. For those who want to discover and conquer the height, they can go trekking or hire a car riding to Vong Canh Hill. Crossing through zigzag paths to reach Vong Canh Hill, tourists will contemplate a panoramic view of the Valley of Love full of pine trees, flowers and lawns.

On Vong Canh Hill, guests can witness the perfume production process of Miss Dalat Company and visit its perfume showroom. Travelers can buy original souvenirs and over 100 types of perfume there. Leaving Vong Canh Hill, tourists can take a walk around the valley and visit souvenir shops to select their favorite gifts.
Many couples, even those who have cohabited for almost all their lives, often go hand in hand to the Valley of Love as though this were an exclusive venue for them only. Many love promises have turned out to be beautiful love stories from this love valley.

Source SGT