The capital of Lam Dong province, Dalat is located in Vietnam's south-central highlands, just under 200 miles from Ho Chi Minh city. Pleasantly sized, it's as easy to get around as it is on the eye. Remnants of the French colonization remain; favoring the city's cooler climates, the French built their holiday chalets and villas here, giving Dalat a charming alpine feel that is only emphasized by the pine forests at its edges. Known as "Petit Paris", it's less frenetic than its namesake; the friendly and welcoming urban center has a calm, slow pace and soon gives way to the lakes and rolling green hills with which it is surrounded, a backdrop of misty mountains in the background. Visitors to Dalat - glad of the respite from the rest of the country's heat - will enjoy it’s pretty streets, quaint shops and excellent food, spanning the gamut from European to Asian. Activities and day trip options are many and varied, from a round of golf on a royal course, to an afternoon boating on the lake, or exploring the city's architectural wonders, there's something to suit all tastes.