At a glance
- On Nov. 4, the Lam Dong Province People’s Committee said the draft 2050 general plan for Da Lat’s five wards includes about 101.43 km of urban rail, using trams or monorail.
- The Da Lat Station to Lien Khuong Airport line is prioritized for study and implementation before 2030; the other five lines are expected after 2030.
- The airport is about 28 km from central Da Lat, so a new airport-to-city option is the change most relevant to visitors.
- The plan is still gathering feedback and is not final. It is safest to assume it will not affect your next trip to Da Lat.
What was announced
On Nov. 4, the Lam Dong Province People’s Committee said that the general urban plan for Da Lat’s five wards to 2050 includes an electric rail network. The plan is gathering feedback and has not been finalized.
The network would total about 101.43 km and use either surface trams or monorail. The lines would link central Da Lat with Lien Khuong Airport and popular sights, including Suoi Vang Lake, Langbiang Mountain, Tuyen Lam Lake and the Valley of Love.
The plan covers five wards: Xuan Huong-Da Lat, Cam Ly-Da Lat, Lam Vien-Da Lat, Xuan Truong-Da Lat and Lang Biang-Da Lat. Together they cover about 68,088 hectares.
The part most relevant to visitors: the airport line
Lien Khuong Airport is in Duc Trong Commune, about 28 km from central Da Lat. The line from Da Lat Station to the airport is the one prioritized for study and implementation before 2030. The stated aim is to add another transport option between the airport and the city center.
“Prioritized for study and implementation” does not mean a guaranteed opening before 2030. The source article gives no construction start date, opening date or budget [needs verification].
The six proposed lines at a glance
| Priority | Route | Length / timing |
|---|---|---|
| First | Da Lat Station to Lien Khuong Airport | Study and implementation before 2030 (length not given) |
| After 2030 | Da Lat Station to Suoi Vang | 18.5 km |
| After 2030 | An Kroet junction to Langbiang | 8.55 km |
| After 2030 | Da Lat Station to Tuyen Lam Lake | 15.78 km |
| After 2030 | Da Lat Station to Valley of Love | Length not given |
| After 2030 | Da Lat Station to Tung Lam junction | Length not given |
The five lines other than the airport route are only “expected to follow after 2030.”
Bus routes that could be converted
Beyond the six lines, the plan envisions upgrading three existing bus routes into tram or monorail lines by 2035:
- Prenn Pass to Mai Anh Dao bus station
- Cam Ly to Darahoa
- Prenn Pass to Lien Nghia bus station
Prenn Pass and Lien Nghia bus station are on the list. Anyone who regularly uses the Da Lat–Lien Nghia corridor may want to watch for details. No operating model has been published yet.
Restoring the old mountain railway
The plan also aims to restore the 84-km Thap Cham–Da Lat railway, which has a 1,000 mm gauge. The French built this cog railway between 1908 and 1932. It stopped running during the Vietnam War. Today only a stretch of roughly 7 km between Da Lat and Trai Mat operates, and it carries tourists.
The plan says restoration would support tourism and strengthen links between Da Lat and the south central coast. A schedule and funding are not given [needs verification]. For now, the Da Lat–Trai Mat stretch is the only part you can ride.
Why the plan exists
The consultant said the new public transport network is expected to ease pressure on roads, connect tourist areas with the city’s gateways, and help preserve Da Lat’s landscape. The wider plan aims to shift development from a single concentrated core to a multi-polar model, with each area given functions suited to its character.
Tourism growth is the likely backdrop. A separate report said Vietnam received 19.5 million foreign visitors through October, 44.5% above the same period in 2019. The Da Lat article does not link that figure to this plan, so treat the connection as our own interpretation.
What travelers and residents should do now
- Do not build this into upcoming itineraries. The plan is at the feedback stage, and even the earliest line is only slated for study and implementation before 2030. Assume no effect on trips in the next year or two.
- Plan airport transfers around current options. With the airport about 28 km from the center, check travel time and cost with your airline, hotel or a local car provider when you book.
- Be cautious about property or long-stay decisions. Da Lat Station appears to be the hub of the proposed network, but routes are not final. This is not a basis for investment or relocation choices.
- Watch for the final plan. Routes, technology (tram or monorail) and timing could change. Follow announcements from Lam Dong Province.
Bottom line
The proposal is a long-term plan to connect Da Lat’s airport, center and best-known attractions by rail. The airport line would be the most useful to visitors and is the first in the queue, but the plan is not final and timing is unclear. Use the news as background, and plan your trip around the transport that runs today.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Da Lat airport rail line open?
No opening date has been set. The Da Lat Station to Lien Khuong Airport line is only prioritized for study and implementation before 2030, and the draft plan itself is still gathering feedback. The other five lines are expected after 2030.
How far is Lien Khuong Airport from central Da Lat?
According to the report, the airport is in Duc Trong Commune, about 28 km from central Da Lat.
Can I ride a train in Da Lat today?
A stretch of roughly 7 km between Da Lat and Trai Mat runs for tourists. The 84-km Thap Cham–Da Lat railway stopped running during the war, and its restoration is only a planning goal. Check operating hours and fares before you visit [needs verification].
Sources
- Vietnam, South Korea shine amid uneven Asia-Pacific tourism recovery
- Vietnam’s Da Lat eyes over 100 km of electric rail linking airport and top attractions
This article summarises publicly available reports and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Check with the relevant authorities or a qualified adviser before making important decisions.