Da Lat City: Exploiting Potential for Development

Da Lat is at an altitude of 1,500 metres with moderate climate and green trees all year round. The city has a lot of potential in tourism, with an environment of lakes, falls and forests. Xuan Huong and Tuyen Lam lakes and Suoi Vang-Dankia, Love Valley, Datanla Falls, Prenn Falls and Langbian Peak, together with green trees create a poetic city. The Ministry of Culture has recognised seven out of Da Lat’s 26 scenic spots as historical heritages. In terms of architecture, Da Lat is among the few locations to have general planning, with a harmonious combination between scenery geography and French-Indochinese architecture. The Palace hotel, railway station, Teachers Training College, big church and thousands of villas in the pine forest have left an impression on every traveller. The architecture of “City in forest, forest in city” highlights Da Lat’s unique features.

 

In the process of establishment and development, Da Lat has become one of the biggest education-science centres in the south, with large educational units such as Da Lat University, Da Lat Teacher Training College, Bui Thi Xuan School. Da Lat now has a network of science research facilities, and completed education units from primary level to upper education level. Universities, colleges and training centres in Da Lat have become favourite destinations for young people in the south. In recent years, Da Lat has developed into a tourism-resort centre, an education, training and science research centre, and hub for hi-tech agriculture development.

 

Lam Dong province has introduced open policies and mechanisms to lure investment for its development. The new guidelines, the market mechanism and equality among economic sectors have helped the province attract investment capital. Total investment capital and investment in the tourism sector sharply increases every year. The province’s new policies provide preferential conditions for investors, establishing a friendly, open, transparent and effective investment environment. Lam Dong also provides favourable tax, land and forest leasing policies. For example, projects worth less than VND50 billion will be allowed to use less than 20 hectares of forest, projects with VND50-100 billion use 20-50 hectares, and projects worth over VND100 billion use 50 hectares or more, or VND20-billion projects will be located in Da Lat City, Bao Loc Town and Duc Trong district. The province also promotes reform simplifying administrative procedures, creating more favourable conditions for investors. So far, many big projects are targeting Da Lat and will be implemented in the near future, such as a recreation park area, Dankia-Suoi Vang tourism area, Tuyen Lam Lake, Cam Ly-Mang Lin tourism, Lang Bian cultural festival, culture-sport complex, high quality general hospital, Phat Chi Industrial Processing Plant and hi-tech vegetable and flower planting area.

 

From Da Lat’s great potential, international scientists pin high hopes on the future of Da Lat City, which will be famous for tourism, education, training and scientific research, and biological technology. Dr Thai Quang Trung, representative of Germany’s Hanns Seidel Foundation, said in a conference on Da Lat that the city is likely to become a world calibre tourism destination – a city of harmony between humans and nature, with a high quality living environment. Moreover, Da Lat also offers health and nutrition services, which will attract medical tourists and bring profit for the economy.

 

Vietnam’s WTO accession is a big chance for Lam Dong in general and Da Lat in particular. The penetration of foreign investors into Vietnam will generate new chances for Da Lat tourism. So, big projects such as Da Lat-Dau Giay expressway and the upgrade of Lien Khuong Airport are being developed. Once Lien Khuong becomes an international airport, flights will bring foreign visitors to Vietnam and Da Lat’s vegetables and flowers overseas, and the project upgrading Da Lat to a level-1 urban area will bring many advantages. However, the city also faces many challenges in service quality and tourism products, which depend on urban civilisation, natural and social environment. Together with upgrading the environment, tourism areas, restaurants and luxury hotels, the city should pay great attention to serving style.