When even the locals find the place tacky, you know it’s reached new depths of kitsch. This park surrounding a lake in a valley is attractive in its own right but burdened with the responsibilities of its name (proffered by Dalat University students in 1972). Romantically themed props and statues are scattered across its landscaped gardens, and the lake can get woefully noisy with the splashing of paddle boats, canoes and motorboats.
Adding to the surreal atmosphere are the ‘Dalat cowboys’. Yee-haa! These are good old Vietnamese boys dressed as American cowboys. They rent horses for a guided tour around the lake.
The Valley of Love is 5km north of Xuan Huong Lake. It’s a popular stop for tour buses.
