A less crowded holiday in Bao Loc

With its unspoiled scenery and relatively uncrowded atmosphere, Bao Loc is attracting the attention of many tourists. Photo: @phuongtran.sen

With the 5-day April 30th - May 1st holiday, many tourists are starting to plan longer trips. Among the destinations, Da Lat is always at the top of the list due to its many forms of entertainment and dining options. In addition, its cool climate is also suitable for visiting during the hot days.

However, as Da Lat becomes increasingly crowded and commercialized, many tourists are shifting their focus to Bao Loc. While not as bustling, Bao Loc still boasts beautiful natural landscapes, a cool climate, numerous attractions, delicious food, and a more tranquil atmosphere due to the lower tourist numbers.

Cloud hunting in the morning

With its many winding mountain passes and majestic high mountains, Bao Loc is always adorned with white clouds swirling around the mountain peaks in the morning. Visitors can go cloud hunting almost anywhere here. The most popular cloud-hunting spot is Dai Binh Mountain.

If you want to see lots of clouds, you can go to Dai Binh Mountain. Photo: An Huy

Located in Loc Thanh commune, Dai Binh mountain is considered the "roof of Bao Loc city," rising over 1,000 meters above sea level. Below, the Dai Binh river meanders, interspersed with coffee and tea plantations in the valleys. Standing on the mountaintop, visitors will be amazed by the thick clouds that blanket the entire valley, with a glimpse of Bao Loc city in the distance.

To reach the summit, visitors must trek 6-12 km. Currently, the trail is still undeveloped, quite narrow and steep, so visitors should go on dry days without rain. If traveling by motorbike, visitors can park at a local's house at the foot of the mountain.

Visitors can also go cloud hunting at several other locations such as Loc Thanh Cloud Hill, Lam Son Stone Hill, Vo Uu Hill, and Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda. Photo: Nguyen Thu Hau

According to experienced travelers, the best time to see the sea of ​​clouds is from November to July. During this period, the weather in Bao Loc is stable, increasing the chances of encountering a sea of ​​clouds, and the nights are cool. Tourists should wake up early and be on the mountaintop by 4-5 am to admire the first rays of sunlight filtering through the fluffy sea of ​​clouds.

Sharing his experience of cloud hunting in Bao Loc, tourist Nguyen Duy Tuan said that the feeling of enjoying a fragrant cup of coffee while watching the sunrise with clouds drifting lazily before his eyes is indescribable. It's also a great way to start a new day with enthusiasm.

The waterfalls are breathtakingly beautiful.

Bao Loc is not yet a major tourist destination, and most of its landscapes remain unspoiled. Besides its vast forests and mountains, the area is also blessed with stunning waterfalls.

Located in DamB'ri commune, Dambri Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Lam Dong province, with a height of over 60m and a width of 30m, forming two streams of varying heights cascading down in a white foam. Currently, this waterfall is part of the Dambri tourist area, so visitors can participate in additional fun activities such as riding a toboggan, pedal boat, and Ferris wheel when visiting the waterfall.

Dambri Waterfall is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Lam Dong province, attracting many tourists to admire it. Photos: Denim Pham, Vu Tra My

At the foot of the waterfall, the developer has built a triangular bridge with three coordinates, spanning the stream and rugged, moss-covered cliffs. These three coordinates correspond to three viewpoints where visitors can admire the cascading water. For those who enjoy exploring, visitors can walk down 138 steps along the cliff and mountainside to reach the base of the waterfall.

Getting to Dambri Waterfall isn't too difficult; visitors just need to rent a motorbike and follow National Highway 20. Lush green tea and coffee hills, or fields of white coffee blossoms along both sides of the road, will come into view one after another.

Nestled in a dense forest, Tam Hop Waterfall, with its highland atmosphere and completely isolated from the city, possesses a pristine beauty that captivates countless visitors.

Tam Hop Waterfall is located in isolation within the grounds of Di Da Pagoda. Photo: Phuong Thuy

Tam Hop Waterfall consists of three large streams of water cascading down from a height of 70 meters, converging into a gentle stream below. Surrounding the waterfall are lush green trees and wildflowers growing among the rocks. A stroll at Tam Hop Waterfall in the early morning, before the mist has dissipated, allows you to fully appreciate the magical beauty of nature.

Tourist Thuy Phuong, who has explored the waterfalls in Bao Loc, shared: "The road to the waterfall is not easy to navigate but easy to find. Upon arrival, all fatigue disappears because of the beautiful scenery. Tourists can ask to stay overnight at Di Da Pagoda. In the afternoon, stroll around the pagoda grounds, take pictures with the miniature landscapes or the lotus pond."

Upon arriving at Tam Hop Waterfall, visitors feel as if their worries have been lifted, leaving only the sound of the babbling stream, birdsong, and the rustling of leaves in the ancient forest. Furthermore, it's an ideal spot for camping during the hot summer days.

The cafe is full of Instagrammable spots.

Similar to Da Lat, Bao Loc also boasts many cafes with prime locations overlooking the mountains and forests. Not overly crowded or noisy, the cafes in Bao Loc offer visitors a tranquil space to enjoy a refreshing drink.

Another Delab attracts customers because it follows a vintage style, using wood brown tones as the main color scheme. The cafe embraces minimalism, limiting the amount of furniture in its interior design.

This place attracts visitors with its vintage style. Photos: @nghoanhao, @_huaquynhnhu

The cafe is a renovated old house with peeling paint on the walls, giving it a classic and cozy feel. Inside, there's an attic and a balcony for enjoying the view of the surrounding forest and mountains.

Stepping outside reveals a spacious courtyard surrounded by lush greenery and a soft lawn. A large fireplace is located in the center for warmth. Most customers choose to sit in the outdoor area to enjoy the cool, fresh air.

The menu mainly consists of tea and coffee, with a few milk teas and cold brews. The teas are mostly fruit-flavored teas such as mulberry tea, hibiscus tea, and guava-strawberry tea. Coffee options include iced coffee with condensed milk, cream coffee, latte, and cappuccino. Prices range from 25,000 to 40,000 VND.

However, the drinks were rather simply decorated, and the taste wasn't impressive. The service quality was only average. The staff sometimes lacked tact in certain situations, resulting in an incomplete customer experience.

For those seeking a peaceful corner, a place to slow down, or simply enjoy a delicious drink, Lecii Cafe is the place to go.

The cafe is like a small house in the middle of a big city, nestled in a quiet alley in Ha Giang. The interior is simply decorated with a few wooden tables and chairs and small decorative items such as wall paintings and potted plants. The warm yellow lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere. The outdoor courtyard is planted with many flowers and plants, the path is paved with stones, and there are long benches for larger groups.

The cafe is popular with customers because of its beautiful ambiance and delicious drinks. Photo: Lecii Cafe, @_huaquynhnhu

The menu here includes various types of coffee, soda, juices, smoothies, fruit teas, etc. The starfruit juice and milk coffee are worth trying. The starfruit juice is pure, with a slightly sour taste and not too sweet. The milk coffee has a fragrant coffee aroma and a smooth texture thanks to the addition of condensed milk and cream. Besides that, the cafe also offers croissants and egg tarts.

The downside is that the indoor area has few tables and chairs, only accommodating groups of 3-4 people. The drinks take a long time to prepare, which can easily frustrate customers. However, the staff are enthusiastic and attentive.

In addition, visitors can check out other cafes such as Den Coffee, Sunset Chill, Nha Cua Gao, B'laca Coffee, Dom Coffee, etc.

Many signature dishes

Besides its relaxing scenery, the diverse cuisine is also a factor that gives Bao Loc the potential to compete with Da Lat in tourism.

When mentioning must-try dishes in Bao Loc, the signature dry pho is a must-try. Hao Ky restaurant, located on Nguyen Cong Tru Street, is a familiar dining spot for many tourists and locals alike.

The restaurant has a spacious, clean environment with plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate large groups. The preparation counter is also neatly arranged. The front yard is quite large, allowing customers arriving by car to park comfortably.

Dry pho is considered a specialty dish of Bao Loc. Photo: Click 49

A bowl of Hao Ky dry pho is quite generous, consisting of thin rice noodles (similar to vermicelli) mixed with soy sauce, topped with rare beef, fried onions, and pork cracklings. Beef brisket, flank, or meatballs are usually served separately in the broth. It's accompanied by various herbs and bean sprouts.

The dry pho is highly praised by many customers for its rich and unique flavor. The chewy texture and slightly starchy taste of the noodles on the tongue are quite interesting. The beef is fresh and has just the right tenderness. However, the price per bowl is quite high: a small bowl costs 50,000 VND, a large bowl costs 60,000 VND, and a special bowl costs 70,000 VND.

The service quality is decent. However, the tables and chairs are cleared slowly, causing later customers to struggle to find a seat.

Not very famous, and not reviewed on social media, but Mrs. Thanh's sandwich shop is still packed every day thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations. The shop is located behind the Bao Loc Children's House, on Kim Dong Street. The space is rustic, spacious, and only has a few plastic tables and chairs.

These sandwiches are only available in Bao Loc city. Photo: Vu Phuong Dung

The restaurant offers two types of banh kep: banh kep with dipping sauce and banh kep on a plate. If you choose the banh kep on a plate, the serving includes a plate of banh kep with plenty of scallion oil and crumbled rice crackers spread evenly on top. The banh kep with dipping sauce consists of two rice crackers sandwiching banh kep, dipped in soy sauce or fish sauce with scallions.

Banh bot loc and banh da are found throughout the provinces and cities, but this restaurant has given it a unique twist by soaking the banh bot loc in a special broth made with a special recipe, creating a distinctive flavor. Customers can choose banh bot loc with shrimp or mung bean filling, depending on their preference.

The sandwich has a balanced sweet and salty flavor, with the chewiness of the tapioca dumplings and the crispness of the rice paper. However, eating too much can be cloying due to the oily dipping sauce. The presentation is simple and visually appealing. Priced at 5,000-15,000 VND per plate, it's quite cheap compared to the general price level, but the portions are small and not filling enough.

In addition, visitors can try other dishes such as grilled rice paper with fish sauce, hot soy milk, stuffed snails, and "xap xap" (a type of noodle dish) in Bao Loc.

Truc Ho