Da Lat - Dan Kia Tourism: Diversified and Unique

Da Lat - Dan Kia Tourism: Diversified and Unique

The Da Lat - Dan Kia tourist project is one of the six main projects of Lam Dong province. Just 18 kilometres from Da Lat, it is an ideal place with a moderate climate, beautiful landscape and clean environment. The natural beauty is added to by the colourful cultures, traditional architecture and artisan craft of the ethnic minorities.

Da Lat - Dan Kia tourist centre is situated amongst 5,000 hectares of pine forest, at an altitude of 1,400-2,165 metres and circles Dan Kia and Suoi Vang lakes. Dan Kia Lake is upstream and has a surface area of 250 hectares, while Suoi Vang Lake is smaller and downstream of the Ankroet hydro-power system. The water flows from the mountain top into Dan Kia Lake and through a tunnel creating a penstock pressure of 3 MW to the power station before joining Suoi Vang Lake.

Multi-functional tourism

Da Lat - Dan Kia tourism centre will consist of three sections:

The Dynamic section will include a village with garment shops, restaurants and a family amusement park.  Visitors can visit Lam Vien Mountain top by taking trip in the cable cars. The village is designed like a small community with houses, car parking, commercial and cultural centres, religious shrines and recreational facilities. The floating theatre in the centre of the village will be the focus of the performances combining modern water, laser and music demonstrations and traditional cultures. Four guest houses will be built on the four hill tops with a restaurant, night club, swimming pool and tennis court. The family amusement park includes a bicycle circus, a zoo, arcade machines, an ice-skating rink and a cable car.

The Agricultural section will be designed in tune with global practices. Visitors will be able to see how flowers and vegetables are planted by local farmers. Also in the area are subsistence areas, flower beds and market, and a tea plantation.

The Serene section will be built with villas, a golf course and recreational facilities suitable for those who wish to relax with the backdrop of a natural landscape, which creates a peaceful atmosphere.

In addition, Da Lat - Dan Kia centre will have an outside area for camping, boat rowing and fishing in Dan Kia Lake, lodgings in forests for adventurers, horses and horse carts for hire, bull rides and cowboy style rodeo activities.

A network of roads will be built connecting Cam Ly airport, main entrance of the tourist centre, dynamic agriculture areas, Thach Thien Nga farm and the Ankroet power station.

Development phases

Phase 1: construction of the village centre, family amusement park, breeding farm for rare species to develop wildlife in the forest.

Phase 2: completion of the family amusement park, building of guest houses with 300 standard rooms, 200 Deluxe rooms, 250 Luxury rooms, 80 boutique rooms and budget rooms, developing agriculture tourism, zoo, bird garden, camping area, golf course, horse riding and accommodation for the staff.

In the next 20 years, Da Lat - Dan Kia will be a tourist centre of international standards meeting the demand of local and foreign tourists. With adequate investment and correct planning, combining the natural beauties, the healthy environment and attractive facilities, the centre will be an ideal meeting point of the Ho Chi Minh city - Nha Trang - Da Lat tourist triangle.

In February 2004, following Decision 16/2004/QD-UB, Lam Dong People’s Committee established the Management Board of Dan Kia - Suoi Vang tourist project and on April 23, 2004 the project became operational under the same management. The Management Board has been assigned to deal with investors in all infrastructure projects and receive and process documents on investment in the area.

• Phuong Oanh