Packing for Da Lat confuses many travelers coming from the beaches or Ho Chi Minh City: the afternoons feel like spring, the nights call for a jacket, and half the year it rains most days. This guide on what to wear in Da Lat works from the average temperatures and rainy days of each month, and ends with a packing list you can tick off.
The rule for Da Lat: dress in layers
Average highs run from 21.4°C to 25.3°C through the year, and average lows from 11.7°C to 16.4°C. A single day swings by 6.5°C to 12.1°C, depending on the month, so an outfit warm enough for 9 pm is too warm at noon. Three layers solve it:
- Base: a T-shirt or a long-sleeved cotton top.
- Middle: a sweater, fleece or cardigan you can carry when you take it off.
- Outer: a windproof jacket; in the rainy months, a waterproof one.
What to wear in Da Lat by month
| Month | Day / night | Rainy days | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.3°C / 11.7°C | About 2 | A padded or thick knit jacket, scarf, beanie and gloves for the evenings |
| February | 23.9°C / 11.9°C | About 3 | A padded or thick knit jacket, scarf, beanie and gloves for the evenings |
| March | 25.1°C / 13°C | About 6 | Light tops by day, a light jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings; sunscreen |
| April | 25.3°C / 14.7°C | About 13 | Light tops by day, a light jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings; sunscreen |
| May | 24.7°C / 16.2°C | About 21 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| June | 23.6°C / 16.4°C | About 21 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| July | 23°C / 16.2°C | About 24 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| August | 22.7°C / 16.2°C | About 23 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| September | 22.9°C / 16°C | About 24 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| October | 22.8°C / 15.3°C | About 20 | A waterproof jacket, closed shoes with a good grip, a rain poncho; a sweater for the evening |
| November | 21.7°C / 14.6°C | About 12 | A sweater or fleece and a windproof jacket; still carry a light rain jacket |
| December | 21.4°C / 13.2°C | About 6 | A padded or thick knit jacket, scarf, beanie and gloves for the evenings |
Dry season (November to April): warm nights out, sun by day
Rain is rare and the sun is strong, but the nights are the coldest of the year, around 11.7°C on average in January. Bring a proper warm jacket for evenings at the night market or around the lake, plus a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the day. Cold, dry wind chaps lips and skin quickly, so pack lip balm and moisturiser. Month by month details are in Da Lat weather by month.
Rainy season (May to October): stay dry and keep your footing
From May to October, each month averages about 20–24 rainy days. Choose quick-drying clothes, a waterproof jacket or a rain poncho (handy on a motorbike), and closed shoes with a grippy sole, because Da Lat’s slopes and stone steps get slippery. Pack a spare set of dry clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone. Jeans take a long time to dry in the damp air.
Da Lat packing list
- A jacket suited to the season, a sweater or fleece, and a few T-shirts.
- A scarf, beanie and warm socks from December to February.
- A light rain jacket or compact umbrella, especially from April to November.
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip for the hills.
- Sunscreen, lip balm and moisturiser.
- Modest clothes for visiting temples and churches.
What to wear to temples and churches
Vietnam’s official tourism site advises wearing modest clothing when visiting temples, and removing your shoes and hat. In Da Lat that applies to pagodas such as Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery and to the churches that still hold Mass, such as the Da Lat Cathedral. The same site notes that men should not go shirtless in public and that swimwear belongs on the beach, not in town.
What to wear to a spa in Da Lat
Wear something comfortable and easy to change, and bring a warm layer for afterwards: after a hair wash or a massage you will feel warm, but the street outside may not be. Ask the therapist to dry your hair fully before you leave in the evening. What a Vietnamese head spa involves is in Vietnamese head spa in Da Lat.
The Pine Spa & Wellness is a short walk from Da Lat Market, open from 09:00 to 21:00. To book, call or message +84 868 097 660, also on Zalo. Vietnamese readers can find this guide at Đi Đà Lạt mặc gì.
