Dalat : the hope for take-off
The highland resort city of Dalat is developing tourist infrastructure in an ambitious drive to turn the tourism industry into a mainstay of the local
economy
Cherry blossoms are blooming around
Dalat, heralding the coming of spring.
With it comes fresh vigor and new hope
to this famous highland resort.
Official statistics show that tourist visits to
Lam Dong Province, including Dalat, last
year reached a record high of 803,000,
an increase of 10.8% over 2000. Foreign
visitors accounted for 78,000, up 10%. They brought a total revenue of
VND250 billion to the local tourism industry.
Great potential. "It's a touch of European town here!", exclaimed
Richard Detz, a British tourist who chose Dalat as a destination on his
Vietnam tour. Indeed, Dalat enjoys a temperate climate in a tropical
country and is endowed with breath-taking natural scenery. Located
1,500 meters above sea level with beautiful pine forests in the
surrounding, the city has an average temperature of 20OC all year
round. Compared with other tourist cities in Vietnam, this highland resort
is graced with a superior tourist potential with beautiful waterfalls,
magnificent valleys and poetic lakes. It is home to more than 90
sightseeing attractions, of which seven are recognized as national
beauty spots. In addition, more than 2,000 French-style villas, with
diverse architecture nestled amidst romantic pine hills or overlooking
tranquil blue lakes, render an elegant beauty to this highland resort.
Strong investment. With beautiful scenery and a temperate climate,
Dalat has favorable conditions to develop various kinds of tours such
as eco-tours, weekend relaxation trips, sightseeing, and culture,
convention and sports tours. The local government is determined to
turn tourism into a strong economy. Also, local and foreign investors
have not neglected business opportunities offered by tourism.
The largest foreign-invested project in Dalat, and also the biggest in
Vietnam's tourism industry, is the Dankia-Suoi Vang, a US$706-million
joint venture licensed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)
in January, 1998. The partners, the local Dalat Tourist and Singapore's
Dalat Dankia Holdings Pte. Ltd. and DD Management Services, plan to
develop a tourist-recreation complex over an area of 5,000 hectares
near Dankia and Suoi Vang lakes, 18 km north of Dalat, a site that was
once chosen as the second Dalat by the French doctor Alexandre
Yersin who is credited with being the first discoverer of Dalat in 1893.
The complex will include a golf course, casino, horse racing track,
villas, bungalows, parks, camping sites, shopping centers and other
facilities. With this mammoth project, the investors hope to lure not only
locals but also regional and western tourists. However, due to the
regional economic crisis, the project has not yet taken off. For a
kickstart, the local government has just began work on two roads
leading to the complex with funding of VND20 billion (US$1.33 million).
The first road running from Cam Ly Airport to Lac Duong District will be
linked with the second from Tung Lam Fork to Suoi Vang Lake, creating
a complete route to the project site. Last year, the MPI also introduced
the project at a workshop for foreign investment in Vietnam in
Singapore. If developed, the Dankia-Suoi Vang project will be a strong
impetus to the development of tourism in Dalat.
Another big foreign investor is Dalat Resort Incorporation (DRI), a
US$40-million joint venture between Dalat Tourist and Danao
International, a Hong Kong-based company founded by late American
billionaire Larry Hillblom. The joint venture is operating a 5-star hotel, a
4-star hotel, a golf course and a number of villas. Its 5-star Sofitel Dalat
Palace, a vintage hotel built in the early 20th century, has the honor to
receive Finnish President Tarja Halonen, who had a short stay in Dalat
during her 8-day tour of Vietnam in mid-January.
Besides foreign investors, local businesses have also invested in
different tourist projects. Early this month, Xuan Huong Tourist will break
ground for a cable car line from Robin Hill to Tuyen Lam Lake. The
2.5-kilometer line will have 65 gondolas capable of carrying 900
passengers per hour. Upon completion in 2003, the VND60-billion
project is expected to attract 300,000 visitors a year. The Austrian
company Doppelmayer has won in the bid to supply equipment and
technology.
Dalat Toserco has plans to develop the Prenn
Waterfalls area into a large tourist park hosting
diverse recreational activities like folk festivals,
sports, hunting, etc. The project will also include a
number of unique architectural works such as a mini
Ho Chi Minh Trail, magic cave, pre-historic park,
primitive forest and paradise garden, which are
being designed by a famous architect who also
created the 100-roof house in Dalat.
The Lang Bian Flower Farm plans to cooperate with
some partners to develop a large flower valley, which will also include
a flower auction and service center.
Businesses in other localities have also invested in some tourist
projects in Dalat. Thuy Duong Co. (HCM City) is upgrading the Lake of
Sighs, a national beauty spot. Savimex, Seaprodex, Ship Chandler Co.,
Vietsovpetro and others have hotels and guest houses there.
An impetus to tourism development. To turn tourism into a strong
economy, the local government has exerted great efforts to develop
tourist infrastructure.
At present, transport to Dalat is inconvenient. It takes more than six
hours to reach the city by road from HCM City and there is only one
daily flight between the two cities. Work on upgrading National
Highway 28 (from Binh Thuan and Daklak provinces to Dalat) started in
mid January, creating favorable conditions for linking tours from Binh
Thuan Province (a coastal resort) to Dalat. Last month also saw the
construction of a road from the foot of Lang Bian Mountain to the
summit. Upon completion in the middle of this year, the project will be a
good opportunity for developing different recreational activities
(mountaineering, paragliding, horseback riding and viewing Dalat from
the peak).
Recently, the Prime Minister approved the upgrade of Lien Khuong
Airport in Dalat into an international airport. Some VND245 billion
(US$16.3 million) will be invested to build a new 3,200-meter runway
and a terminal capable of accommodating 400 passengers at a time.
Upon completion in late 2003, domestic and international flights will be
operated to Hanoi, Singapore and other Asian cities. By that time,
tourists in regional countries can fly to Dalat in only two hours or more
for a golf game. At present, they have to spend nearly a day transiting
at domestic airports before reaching Dalat.
The local government also has plans to restore rail links with Phan
Rang. It has offered incentives to attract investors such as reducing
land rent, exempting rent for areas designated to the tourism business,
and preferential taxes for investors. Forest land will be transferred to
investors to develop eco-tourism in combination with forest protection.
Investors will also enjoy exemption or reduction of rent for water
surfaces (lakes, waterfalls).
Another bid is to develop Dalat into a city of flowers. Dalat is the
kingdom of flowers with thousands of unique varieties that can hardly
be found elsewhere. The local government has plans to develop large
flower parks and to encourage local residents to build flower-lined
streets to beautify the city. Some VND10 billion will be spent
developing the Yersin Flower Park overlooking Xuan Huong Lake.
For sustainable growth. According to an official from the local tourism
department, Dalat has to do more to attract visitors. Efforts should be
made to diversify tourist products and services and preserve natural
tourist resources. The city should also formulate a concrete
mechanism and incentives to attract investment.
At present, the number of tourist arrivals in Dalat has yet to match its
potential. The tourism business is based mainly on exploiting natural
advantages without proper attention to preservation and development.
Meanwhile, tourist products are not yet diverse and recreational
activities are few. Therefore, tourists often stay for only a short time,
averaging just two or three days. Deforestation has had adverse
effects on the local climate and ecology, and unplanned construction is
spoiling the city's beauty. Beautiful French villas are deteriorating.
Dalat expects to welcome 900,000 visitors this year, including 85,000
foreign tourists. With strong efforts of businesses and authorities, the
target is hopefully within reach. However, to develop a sustainable
tourism industry, there should be due respect to natural tourist
resources and the unique architecture that has formed the identity of
this famous highland resort.
By Xuan Quang - The Saigon Times Weekly - February 01, 2002.
Dalat : precious assets
Dalat has around 2,000 villas which were built in the early 20th century
by the French. If properly preserved, they could become a precious
addition to the tourism industry and architectural heritage of Vietnam.
Besides temperate climate and beautiful scenery, Dalat has many
French-style villas with unique
architecture that adds a special feeling to
this famous highland resort city.
After the discovery of Dalat in 1893, the
French colonialists planned to develop
Dalat into the largest resort in Indochina.
During the first decades of the early 20th
century, many villas were constructed for
this purpose. Some 2,000 villas, designed after the late 19th century
French architecture, assume an elegant, fine shape that is in perfect
harmony with the hillside landscape of Dalat.
French villas in Dalat are classified into three categories. Villas in
Category 1 have an area of more than 2,000 sq. m and a construction
density of under 10%. Those in Category 2 have an area of over 1,500
sq. m (construction density of 15%) and in Category 3 over 1,000 sq. m
with 20% density. In addition, there are palaces of over 10,000 sq. m on
separate hills which were reserved for high-ranking French officials,
Emperor Bao Dai and magnates, such as Palaces 1, 2 and 3.
The villas, each with its own style, form unique, diverse architectural
complexes. Most have two or three stories. They are nestled amidst
pine woods, set on high locations or near lakes with open views to
flower gardens, pine hills and valleys, which altogether create a
picturesque landscape. The villas also have beautiful flower gardens
with graceful paths. Their beauty is enhanced by small flower
balconies, nice chimneys and stylish windows.
The most beautiful villas are located along Tran Hung Dao and Hung
Vuong streets. Others were built in different locations such as near Van
Kiep Lake, the Railway Station, and Le Lai, Le Hong Phong, Huynh
Thuc Khang, Quang Trung and Co Giang streets. The villas have great
historical significance and architectural value that need due respect
and care.
After 1975, most of the villas were confiscated by the State but due to
loose management for several years, many have deteriorated. A
number have been deserted or illegally occupied. Some have lost
their original architecture due to modifications or extensions. Their
areas have also been narrowed.
Most beautiful villas on Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai streets are in
serious condition. Local authorities have plans to call for businesses
and individuals to invest in restoring and renovating elegant villas on
Le Lai Street, and illegal squatters will be relocated.
If well preserved and developed, the villas will be a precious tourist
asset that can beautify Dalat and bring revenue to the local tourism
industry as well as maintain the unique architecture of this highland
resort, once renowned as "The Little Paris of Vietnam" during the
French colonial times.
By Quang Hung - The Saigon Times Weekly - February 01, 2002.
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