When it comes to Da Lat, the first image that everyone remembers is the romantic Xuan Huong Lake located in the center of the city. This place has the famous Thuy Ta restaurant, which is reflected on the blue lake surface for hundreds of years. In the past, Xuan Huong Lake, called Grand Lac, was constructed in 1919 by the initiative of missionary Cunhac and civil engineer Labbé by building a dam across the Cam Ly stream. In order to create an attractive landscape for the center of Da Lat, then architect Hébrard built an oval islet to create a charm for the lake surface. This is the spatial connection point of the promenade from the Palace Hotel to the surface of Xuan Huong Lake.

Thuy Ta on Xuan Huong Lake is a small but unique structure, looking from a distance like a white yacht, anchored, standing out against the blue background of the lake water. First, Thuy Ta is a lovely wooden stilt house to welcome tourists to stop for fishing. Around the 30s of the twentieth century, Thuy Ta house was built with the function of an water sport club (swimming, rowing...), the structure is shaped like a frog's nest (grenouillière) floating on the water. Due to many reasons, the movement of sports and swimming in Da Lat did not develop, Thuy Ta's house was assigned to a contractor to repair and exploit as a shop serving soft-drinks. After the liberation of Da Lat (April 3, 1975), Thuy Ta's house was renovated to become a cafe managed by Lam Dong Tourism Company.

Xuan Huong lake is an artificial lake with an area of about 25 hectares, a circumference of about 5 km, the landscape here is peaceful and quiet. Around the lake, there are forests, lawns, and flower gardens. The road around the lake is always full of people and cars. The lake's surface is blue, reflecting the color of clouds... looming silhouettes of pedalo carrying the lovers drifting on the calm surface.

Xuan Huong Lake is also likened to a pearl, the green lung of Da Lat where any visitor wants to go for a walk to feel his own emotional levels with Da Lat, with the poetic plateau. In addition to horse-drawn carriage, you can walk or cycle around the lake to enjoy the peaceful feeling, breathe in the fresh air with the scent of flowers and grass... dispel the fatigue of daily life. After taking a walk around the lake through Yersin park, city flower garden, Cu hill, you can stop at Thuy Ta Restaurant, enjoy the rich aroma of Da Lat coffee, release your soul to welcome the gentle breeze blown up from the rippling lake.

In the spring, coming to Xuan Huong Lake, visitors will be delighted to see the cherry blossoms blooming in the golden sunshine of Dalat. At the end of spring and early summer of March, purple phoenix shimmers on the quiet lake surface, attracting tourists.

Thuy Ta restaurant, a unique architectural work, a perfect whole in the center of Da Lat city, is forever the pride of the gentle and friendly Da Lat people.

Luong Minh