After a sixteen hour bus journey south along the coast and then winding its way through the highlands, we arrived at the thriving agricultural community of Dalat.  Situated in a wide upland plateau surrounded by high hills, it is known for its natural beauty and its moderate climate.  It was a short  two day visit but we hired a guide to take us into the hills.  We enjoyed a long day of  remote trekking, over swinging bridges, through highland coffee plantations, and to a remote hamlet of the Chill people who grow vegetables and coffee to survive.  

Dalat seems to be more of a tourist destination for Vietnamese people escaping the heat of  Ho Chi Minh City  rather than a spot for many westerners. Perhaps more backpackers stick to the coastal beaches...