Thinh Pham

Tag: Di Linh

  • A guide to Di Linh

    A guide to Di Linh

    Just a stop enrouting to Dalat, Di Linh somehow, has its own identity of unique landscape and food.

    Get in

    The best relaxation way is to take an open bus of Phuong Trang or Thanh Buoi for around 200,000 dong.

    Bike trip is good for adventure, the highway 20 condition is very good, flat and smooth, frequent bike service, so you have no trouble riding to Di Linh.

    Best local food

    I had a wonderful meal at a small food stall at 368 Hung Vuong. They cook very well, the dishes are cheap and tasty. I had yougurt with red artichoke flower, Xiu mai and chicken soup for only 32,000 dong in total.

    There’s not popular specialty for Di Linh, and well-known restaurants in the town, also. The popular dish is Banh xeo, I saw a lot vendors offered it. Pho and Com (boiled rice) is quite cheap.

     

    Attractions

    Play as a quick stop to Dalat, Di Linh is not quite popular but still owns some attractions:

    Bobla waterfall

    9km from downtown toward HCMc, by highway 20, the fall is abandoned now. At the time I visited, there were 2 little girls there, so I had them guard my bike and guide me to the fall, cost 20,000 dong for both. The fall was beautifully majestic and still very natural. I saw a lot of picnic leftover, so it’s possibly camping there. The fall flows fiercely in rain season so be careful when you travel that time.

    Li Liang waterfall

    Another waterfall, locating by highway 28, 13 kilometers away from Di Linh center. There’s not a high fall but rocks stacked not-quite-steeply, like a stream. Wild and pure, Li Liang waterfall is great for a stop and picnic, along with Bobla.

    Kala

    An artificial lake, 300 acre in square. It looks like a giant mirror reflecting the blue sky above, surrounded by shady pine forest. It’s quiet, poetry and fantastic. If you visit Li Liang, don’t miss Kala because they are very close to each other.

     Ta Dung lake

    Ta Dung lake

    A huge lake just 30 minute riding from downtown. There’s nothing to do but take a tour follow highway and observe the majesty of nature from above: a combination of water, mountains and sky, like a breath-taking painting. A bike trip takes 3-4 hours.

    You can follow a small road downward then rent a boat for fishing days. Price is negotiable.

    Tea plantations

    As many towns in highland, Di Linh offer an evergreen lines of tea on hills. You can park your bike and have stunning photography in sunny days, there’s almost no shades so it’d better pack along hats or umbrella for heat protection. You should spend 1-2 hours.

    Suggested itinerary

    Day #1: Tea/ cafe plantation in early morning, have breakfast in town, then heading toward Li Liang waterfall and have lunch, when it’s 3-4 PM, take a visit to Kala to shoot for the sunset. You should spend your evening eat local food.

    Day #2: a bike trip exploring Ta Dung lake, you can rent a boat surfing around for whole morning. I think setting up a picnic or camp right inside the lake is a good idea for adventure. The late afternoon should you spend on Bobla waterfall.

    Estimated budget for 2-day trip for couples

    Because there’s no dorm/ homestay for solo traveller, so it’d better travel in group to share cost. I list the cost for two people, a motorbike, staying a room for 2 days in Di Linh. There are a few option for food.

    Fuel 150,000 dong

    Motel: 300,000 dong

    Food: 250,000 dong

  • [2017 Memories] Bobla waterfall

    [2017 Memories] Bobla waterfall

    There’re hundreds of fall in Vietnam, some turned into popular attractions, some not, some used to be. Bobla waterfall is the third.

    Established for tourism but because of the far distance from main hub – Dalat, Bobla has gradually been forgotten for years.

    There’s no service left, no maintainance, just a camping site for locals and anyone who know its existence.

    Di Linh is just a stop, not a destination. It’s mostly well-known for tea plantations and temple. Besides, I did a research and choose 3 best attractions also: Bobla waterfall, Li Liang waterfall and Kala lake. Ta Dung lake is also quite close to downtown and worth a roadtrip of exploration. 

    So why Bobla made an impression on me?

    First, I think it has a wonderful sense of exploration. Few travelers knows its existence and when you find it out after a long trip, it’s a great feeling. I’m very happy to cover it on Darejourney.

    Second, Adventurous trail is also a good reason. The first step are quite easy. Admittedly, it’s not challenge compared to Fansipan trek  or Baden night trek , but still enough for a chance.

    Bushes, strange creatures (black dragonflies), a majestic scenery (you know when you see the fall) and slippery walk over water-flowing-over stones,.etc. You won’t forget it.

    This is also a campsite, so bring some camp should be fine. It’s pity that I had none.

    One thing to note: The flow is fierce in rainy season, so be careful if you’d like to swimming.

    There’s no one working there but two local girl who usually collect recyclable trash for money. You can have them watch your vehicle and guide. I paid 10,000 dong for each work. I thought this would be a small support for their family, not merely service money.

    If you’ve come to Bobla waterfall, what do you review it?

    Bobla waterfall, Di Linh is very close to Dalat. Indeed, sunflower also blooms here in November. Check my sunflower route if you plan to see them.