Da Lat among Asia's 12 most romantic destinations

The hillside town of Da Lat in Vietnam's Central Highlands has been listed as one of Asia's 12 most romantic destinations by Travel + Leisure.

"The ‘Valley of Love’ in Vietnam, also known as ‘Le Petit Paris,’ is without a doubt one of the most romantic destinations in Asia," the New York-based travel magazine wrote.

"Decorated with stunning flowers of innumerable kinds, dazzling landscapes, and an aura filled with warmth, Da Lat is gifted with a wonderful climate that attracts visitors throughout the year. The entire valley is blanketed with marvellous landscapes and scenic beauty," it added.

According to Travel + Leisure, December to March is the best time to visit Da Lat, given the soothing temperatures for all kinds of outdoor activities and the striking blooms of all the famous flower gardens.

Da Lat can be reached by road by taxi or bus from Ho Chi Minh City in about seven hours, and it takes about four hours to travel from Nha Trang.

In January, Da Lat was named one of the top five destinations to visit in Vietnam for Tet - the Lunar New Year holiday, according to Booking.com.

According to the global travel site, surrounded by pine forest-cloaked hills, tea plantations and pretty lakes, Da Lat offers an equally pleasant alternative to Vietnam’s coastal spots.

"Dotted with Swiss-style chalets built during the French colonial period and with a cool, spring-like climate, it can feel worlds away from the beach. But it boasts just as much natural beauty, from Xuan Huong Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake and Datanla Waterfalls, to Langbiang Mountain and Robin Hill for panoramic views of Dalat," Booking.com noted.

Last December, the town was on the list of Asia's 18 most underrated destinations compiled by CNN Travel's network of colleagues and contributors.

"With its fresh mountain air and pine forests in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Da Lat is a popular destination for local Vietnamese that isn't as well known among international travelers," the news channel wrote.