Team building activities are not simply about organizing games or team tasks; they must be based on the profound values of nature and the unique culture of each destination. These elements not only enrich the experience, creating exciting adventures that contribute to sustainable development in the local area, but also strengthen connections among colleagues within a company. With its breathtaking natural beauty and rich traditional culture, Da Lat is the perfect destination for team building activities.

Exotic Vietnam introduces Da Lat – Lam Dong, a destination easily accessible through international and domestic flights to Lien Khuong Airport, as well as the newly developing highway connecting to Ho Chi Minh City. Da Lat stands out not only for its cool climate and stunning highland landscapes but also for its deep cultural heritage, reflected in the lives and traditions of the local people. All these factors combine to create an ideal environment where team building activities can reach their full potential, connect people, and provide unforgettable experiences for all participants.

Wonderful Climate and Highland Scenery

Da Lat, known as the “City of Mist” or the “City of Eternal Spring”, enjoys a cool upland temperate climate. The average temperature here ranges from 20 to 21°C and never falls below 10°C, even during the colder days. Da Lat’s climate is clearly divided into two seasons: the rainy season (from May to October), featuring afternoon showers, and the dry season (from November to April), which brings pleasant weather and gentle sunshine without being harsh. Thanks to this climate, Da Lat offers a comfortable setting for outdoor activities, making it an ideal place for corporate teams to both relax and enjoy nature without concerns about extreme weather conditions.

As the highest plateau in the tiered highland system of the Central Highlands, Da Lat sits at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level. Its terrain is relatively flat, with gentle undulations resting on a vast geological foundation of basalt and schist. Dominating the Da Lat skyline is Langbiang Peak, standing at 2,163 meters, offering breathtaking views from every angle. The landscape of Da Lat blends rolling hills, lush valleys, majestic waterfalls, expansive pine forests, crystal-clear lakes, and rolling mountains. Iconic spots such as Langbiang Peak, Xuan Huong Lake, the Valley of Love, and Dream Hill are perfect for team activities, ranging from physical games (trekking, abseiling, canyoning) to team-building exercises.

The cool climate and stunning natural scenery not only create a fantastic space for relaxation but also enhance team spirit and creativity. With this combination, Da Lat is the ideal location for team building activities, helping corporate members connect more deeply both in their work and personal lives.

Impressive Indochinese Architectural Heritage

In 1897, Governor-General Paul Doumer chose the Langbiang Plateau as the site to establish a resort town for the French in Indochina. From that moment, Da Lat began to take shape, gradually evolving into a city imbued with European architectural charm nestled in the heart of the Vietnamese highlands. French architects laid the foundation for Da Lat’s urban identity through distinctive planning principles: a free-form layout, minimal terrain leveling, winding streets that followed the natural curves of hills and valleys, and architectural styles harmonizing with the cool highland climate and frequent downpours.

Through various stages of development, Da Lat’s architectural style has continually evolved – from the early colonial architecture with its simple and unadorned lines, to the elegant Neoclassical style marked by grand Greek columns and strict symmetrical layouts. This was followed by the Indochine style, which offered a refined fusion of Vietnamese tradition and Western design, while French vernacular architecture evoked a nostalgic longing for the distant homeland. Later came the bold geometric forms of Art Deco, and more recently, contemporary structures characterized by striking creativity and innovation.

Several iconic buildings contribute to the city’s unique architectural landscape, including: Domaine de Marie Church with its Normandie-style design paired with elements reminiscent of Central Highlands communal houses; the Chicken Church (St. Nicholas Cathedral), a hallmark of Romanesque architecture; Da Lat Railway Station, the oldest in Indochina, with its iconic trio of steeply pitched roofs inspired by the majestic Langbiang Mountains; and the Da Lat Pedagogical College, with its sweeping crescent-shaped classroom block and soaring bell tower, strongly evocative of classical European aesthetics.

Beyond these French-influenced structures, Da Lat’s architectural diversity is enriched by serene Eastern-style pagodas and monasteries such as Truc Lam Monastery, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, etc. The city also embraces contemporary artistic expression through imaginative works like the Hang Nga Villa (Crazy House), a surreal blend of nature and architecture that boldly reflects the personality of its Vietnamese architect. Nestled along the hillsides, the rustic stilt houses of local ethnic communities breathe life into the city’s outskirts, adding to the rich and poetic identity of this City of a Thousand Flowers.
Activities like visiting architectural landmarks, learning about the history and development of Da Lat, or even participating in an Amazing Race-style challenge with checkpoints related to these sites, will help team members bond and create memorable experiences.

Unique Indigenous K’ho Culture

The name “Da Lat” originates from the term “Đạ Lạch” in the K’ho language, meaning “the stream of the Lach people”- a subgroup of the K’ho ethnic group, who are the long-established indigenous inhabitants of the Langbiang Plateau. It was Dr. Alexandre Yersin, the explorer who discovered this land in the late 19th century, who adopted this local term to name the now-famous highland city.

The K’ho community resides in the southern part of the Central Highlands and speaks a language that belongs to the Mon-Khmer group within the Austroasiatic language family. The K’ho are divided into several subgroups such as K’ho Lạch, K’ho Chil, K’ho Srê, and K’ho Mạ, all of whom share a deep bond with the forested mountains, giving rise to a culture rich in identity and tradition. In Da Lat, visitors may encounter the K’ho Lạch and K’ho Chil communities, who live in matrilineal villages where women hold central roles in the family and children inherit their mother’s surname. Their spiritual life and communal practices are deeply intertwined with the forest, rivers, mountains, and sky – realms they believe to be inhabited by divine beings who watch over every human step.

The K’ho culture is vividly expressed through traditional rituals, gong festivals, folk music, traditional dances, and craftsmanship such as weaving brocade, pottery making, and instrument crafting. Their rustic cuisine, with distinct dishes like bitter gourd, bamboo rice, wild vegetables, and jar wine, also contributes to the unforgettable cultural identity. Today, these values are not only preserved by the K’ho people but also serve as a fascinating cultural resource for visitors. In areas such as Lat Village or Ta Nung, about 15 km from the center of Da Lat, tourists can engage in cultural exchanges, enjoy gong performances, learn to weave brocade, or participate in traditional cooking classes. Notably, Exotic Vietnam has developed team building products linked to local culture: from challenges inspired by the daily life of the K’ho people to group games with folk elements and traditional handicraft activities. This offers participants an opportunity to bond, have fun, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural values of the indigenous communities in the Da Lat highlands.

Distinctive Culinary Delights

With its rich natural climate and fertile soil, Da Lat’s cuisine is as diverse as its landscape, offering flavors that will make visitors go “wow”.

• Specialty Vegetables – The Sweet Essence of Earth and Sky: Thanks to its cool year-round climate and fertile land, Da Lat is known as the “green vegetable hub” of Southern Vietnam. The variety of vegetables and fruits here is not only abundant but also exceptional in quality and flavor. Lettuce, baby cabbage, rainbow chard, beetroot, artichokes, strawberries… all are grown using clean farming methods, resulting in a natural sweetness and crisp freshness. Simple dishes like boiled vegetables with thickened fish sauce, mixed salads with oil and vinegar, or a hotpot of fresh vegetables in Da Lat can surprise visitors with their “deliciousness” and the freshness of each vegetable.
• Salmon – The Culinary Treasure of the Highlands: It might surprise many to know that in the highlands of the Central Highlands, it’s possible to farm salmon – a fish that is typically found in the cold waters of Europe. However, thanks to the cool temperatures year-round, Da Lat has successfully developed high-quality salmon farms. Da Lat salmon has firm, low-fat meat, a naturally sweet flavor, and most notably, it lacks the typical fishy smell, making it perfect for various cooking methods such as sashimi, pan-searing, baking in foil, or hotpot. One of the unforgettable culinary experiences in Da Lat is the wild vegetable and salmon hotpot, combining the delicate sweetness of the fish with the fresh flavors of local herbs.
• Grilled Dishes – Warming Up in the Fragrant Smoke: As night falls, the cool weather of Da Lat provides the perfect reason to indulge in grilled dishes that become the culinary stars of the evening. From humble street-side stalls to upscale restaurants, Da Lat’s grilled food is always diverse and irresistible. Grilled skewers with rich marinated meat, smoked buffalo meat, corn roasted with green onion oil, sweet grilled sweet potatoes, and crispy grilled rice paper offer a warm and unforgettable taste. The smoke rising amidst the evening mist, the sizzling sound, and the spicy flavor of dipping sauces make the dining experience even more vivid and memorable.
• Hotpot Dishes – Heartwarming in the Misty Atmosphere: Da Lat is a paradise for cozy gatherings around a hotpot. Signature hotpots such as chicken hotpot with lemongrass leaves, artichoke beef hotpot, sour-spicy fermented fish hotpot, and wild mushroom hotpot are not only delicious but also carry distinct local flavors. The chicken hotpot with lemon basil leaves (lá é) has a mild sourness and the aromatic scent of forest herbs; the artichoke beef hotpot is light and nourishing, featuring the fresh, herbal taste of Da Lat’s specialty artichokes. Each hotpot dish is not just a meal, but a cultural experience where everyone shares warmth and stories under the cool weather. The Leguda vegetable hotpot buffet has taken Da Lat’s vegetables to a whole new level of enjoyment: tasty, clean, fresh, and nutritious.

Enjoying vegetable feasts at local restaurants, outdoor BBQ parties, or picnics in the wild adds an impressive highlight to the highland destination. Furthermore, Da Lat is an ideal place for team cooking activities, which are an essential part of many team-building programs. Groups will shop for ingredients, enter the kitchen, and prepare Da Lat’s local delicacies, creating an opportunity for team members to bond, communicate, and collaborate in a relaxed environment.

Exotic Vietnam – Your Professional Team Building Partner

Exotic Vietnam, a leading team-building service provider based in Ho Chi Minh City, boasts over 10 years of experience in organizing team-building events for businesses across Vietnam. We understand that a successful team-building event goes beyond simply organizing fun games or group activities. It is about creating meaningful experiences that strengthen collaboration and connection among team members, helping them work together towards a common goal. These activities also provide participants with opportunities to learn about the local culture and environment, whether it’s engaging in field activities, exploring the K’ho villages in Langbiang, or taking part in the Amazing Race.

Our team-building programs are always designed with a focus on sustainable development in nature, culture, and local communities. Exotic Vietnam is proud to be a trusted partner in creating unforgettable team-building experiences that leave a lasting impression on your team. Contact us today to plan your upcoming team-building retreat!