Love valley is one of the most romantic landscapes in Dalat, which is about 6 km from city center to the Northeast and surrounded by hillsides and year-round green pine forest.
Love valley is attractive and fascinated for deep valley and pine hills. In 1972, a dam was built across the valley which formed Da Thien lake, embellishing the beauty of the landscape.
There are many explainations for the name “Love Vallley”
At first, the French called it the Vallée d’Amour (Love Vallley) but it was renamed into Thung lung Hoa Binh (Peace Valley) under the reign of Bao Dai. In 1953, Mr. Nguyen Vy, Council Chairman of Dalat town decided to call it Thung lung Tinh Yeu (Love Valley) and it has become the official name of the valley since then.
In the first half of the 20th century, the valley near Bao Dai palace (palace III) was called Vallée d’Amour (Love Vallley). The students of Dalat University found the valley near Da Thien hamlet the ideal destination for lovers. Therefore, they also called it Love Valley.
At that time, scouts usually went camping at Da Thien valley and named it Love Valley with meaning of love for nature and country.
In 1972, people built a dam across the stream , forming a lake of 13 ha containing water for production of Da Thien region and creating a romantic landscape. Gradually, it become the favorite beauty-spot for tourists throughout the country, especially couples in love.
The dam is often called Da Thien dam III because it connects with Da Thien lake 3. Earlier, 2 smaller dams were built at Da Thien hamlet, near Nguyen Tu Luc street to seve for vegetables growing.
In 1985, Love Valley was managed and brought into tourism business by Dalat Youth Service Company. It was repaired and upgraded step by step but still retains its origin fetures. A variety of activities are provided for tourists to take part in such as riding horse, wandering around Da Thien lake, exploring Da Thien by canoes, picnicking, camping, buying souvenirs, taking photos, shooting… Love Valley welcomes more than a half of million Vietnamese and international visitors every year.
Tourists could go along the trail or climb hundreds of stairs and pass colorful flower gates to reach Vong Canh hill with 1.565 m high above sea level. From the view of the hill’s peak, Love Valley is as beautiful as a lively picture with swans and sails on the lake.
On occasion of 110th anniversary of Dalat’s establishment and development, cultural festival of ethnic Truong Son-Tay Nguyen took place at Love Valley on 29th and 30th April 2003 that attracted over 200,000 arrivals.