Xuan Huong Lake has an area of 32ha and the average depth of 1.5m. It is located on an elevation of 1,478m above sea level and it is considered as the heart of Dalat.
Xuan Huong Lake in former times was the valley with Cam Ly stream running through, is inhabited by Lach residents.
In 1919, according to the suggestion for a plan of building Dalat city of the ambassador, Mr. Cunhac - the civil engineer, Labbe built a dam to retain water and then the stream became a lake. The French called the lake Grand Lac.
In 1921 - 1922, under the command of Envoy Gamier, the dam was built higher and longer.
In 1953, the lake was changed another name, Xuan Huong.
Keep silence, don’t talk too much
To listen to the water ringing at the bottom of the lake
To listen to the willow howling in the wind
And to listen to meaning of love
Standing in front of the beauty of Xuan Huong Lake, Han Mac Tu was amazed to look at calmly. The space of Xuan Huong Lake is considered as the heart of the Flower city of Da Lat. Anybody come to Da Lat, please don’t forget to visit Xuan Huong Lake.
Xuan Huong Lake is with a perimeter around 5 kilometers square, a crescent shape. The water flows are gently rolling as waves. In dry season, the water is ultramarine blue; in rainy season the water is bloodshot. In the past people said that water in Ho Xuan Huong had not swallowed, and it had rarely seen this phenomenon in shallow water.
The name of Xuan Huong, it is said that the name is translated from French noun, someone said that because at both sides of Xuan Huong Lake was planted with fragrant trees and grass emitting around the lake so they took that name. Although there are any hypothetical cases, the name of Xuan Huong is a very lovely name. Xuan Huong lake is beautiful as that name.
Around the lake and the pine hill are the green lawns stretching. Walking along Xuan Huong Lake, you can go to Cu Hill, Yersin Park, and flower Garden of City. You can paddle on the lake watching the sightseeing, or rent the bikes to run along the lake, or stroll in the balmy air of Xuan Huong Lake.
In the early morning and at dusk is the most beautiful time of Xuan Huong Lake. The water of the lake is as a clear mirror is outlined in the city. The wind blows gently in the airy space. Many couples like to stroll around the lake, many friends and families prefer to Xuan Huong Lake to get relaxed and comfortable feeling.
Xuan Huong Lake is the place where the name Dalat came from and it is also the first Beauty-spot of Lamdong to be recognized as the national-level beauty-spot on November 6th, 1988. The lake is also the place for showing national bicycle racing contest and the place where Lamdong province holds the cultural tourist events.
With the gorgeous beauty, the jade of Xuan Huong Lake is also the heart of Da Lat. Surrounding the lake is the smooth asphalt road continued with a series of different paths from all over the city. You can eat or go shopping in downtown and leaned your back on untouched grass lawns of Xuan Huong Lake. It seems that this place is a beautiful picture that the Creator has bestowed on Da Lat.