Dalat Old Railway Station

Dalat Railway Station is one of two government-recognized monuments in Dalat, which is located at an elevation of over 1500m above sea level and is one of the oldest stations in Indochina.
Dalat Railway Station was built by the French in 1932 and completed in 1938, this is the next train station from Phan Rang to Da Lat 84km long. Currently, Dalat Railway Station is used as an attractive tourist attraction and the only transfer that Da Lat station serves is the route from Dalat to Trai Mat 7 km for Guests to visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

A corner of Da Lat station from the front.

Historically, the railway project connecting Thap Cham City and Da Lat Station was approved by the Governor General of Indochina Paul Doumer and started construction from 1908 to 1922. The construction and winning company was A Chau company are believed to commission the Kroongpha - Dran railways in the Swiss style, with a 10km long cog railway crossing over 1,000 meters of Song Pha Pass with a slope of 12% to land Dran - Lam Dong.

Since the Da Lat station was built, the number of tourists come to the city of Dalat was increasing. On each train, there were 3 freight wagons coaches and about 4 coaches for people. They are classified in different categories.

The only steam engine in Vietnam at the station - Da Lat.

After the defeat in Vietnam, the French left Vietnam and the train from Da Lat Station to Thap Cham was still maintained. By the time the US was in the south, the system was still used as a means of transporting goods and military equipment for the war, so the liberation military had cut it off and the Dalat Railway Station was stopped. In 1972, there were three railway lines being built at that time: Thap Cham - Da Lat - Nha Trang, Cham Towers - Da Lat - Thap Cham, Saigon - Thap Cham - Dalat. But in 1972, when the war became fiercer, this railway line was deactivated and after the liberation, the railway was restored and the whistle in 19-5-1975 anniversary Uncle Ho's birthday.

The Da Lat railway project was designed by two French architects, Moncet and Reveron. The construction contractor is Vo Dinh Dung, with a construction cost of 200,000 francs.

The shape of Da Lat station is similar to the majestic Langbiang Mountain, with the length of 66.5m; horizontal 11.4m and height 11m. If compared, Da Lat Station architecture is like the southern station in France with the protruding from the roof and retract to the foot in the vertical direction. Da Lat station has 3 peaks, symbolizing Langbiang Mountain - the highest peak in the region. In front of Da Lat station, there is a large clock face that records the time that Dr. Yersin discovered Da Lat.

At present, there are 5 routes serving tourists from Da Lat to Trai Mat with the road distance of 7 km.

Da Lat Railway Station was built in 1932 as a cog railway and cog railway engine. The railway line is 84 km long and 16 km cog railway long. At that time, cog railway and cog engine were considered the most unique in the world. Because we have to go up Ngoan Muc Pass to reach the city of Da Lat. The railway must be built through many underground tunnels, the Back must have the Push engine. The architecture has been building rails for 10 years and costs 2 to 3 times higher than normal.

The Song Pha-Da Lat railway saw was designed in Swiss style. The railroad has 3 rails. The center is designed to be serrated to allow the ship to climb steeply. This is the only railway in Da Lat and Switzerland. At present, there are no traces of serrated sections in Da Lat railway.

Da Lat station is no longer used for transportation but is a tourist terminal. With the route 7 km, the train will take you to explore the mountain city from Da Lat Station to Trai Mat. Although the speed is very slow and the train is loud, but this is the attraction of the station. tourists can sightsee on the way. The final point visitors are at Linh Phuoc Pagoda - or Ve Chai Pagoda - a unique Buddhist architecture and can explore the Trai Mat town.