Puppy Farm Dalat — more than just dogs
Despite what the name suggests, Puppy Farm Dalat is not really a farm, and it is not only about puppies. It is a mid-sized tourist complex spread across hilly terrain in Mang Lin village, about 8 kilometers northwest of the city center. The site combines a petting zoo with a loose collection of outdoor attractions: flower gardens, greenhouse farms, a dry slide, go-karts, and a cafe with panoramic views over the surrounding pine hills.
The complex is split into two areas connected by a short road. The main section holds the animals, flower gardens, and the slide. A separate area about 300 meters away is where the strawberry and vegetable greenhouses are located, along with the go-kart circuit. Most visitors spend two to three hours here, though it is easy to stretch that to a half-day if you plan to do everything.
The farm has been operating for several years and has grown considerably from its original dog-focused concept. It draws a mix of Vietnamese day-trippers, families, and foreign travelers, and gets genuinely busy on weekends and public holidays — expect queues for the slide and crowds in the animal areas during peak times.
A note on animal welfare
This is worth addressing directly, because it divides visitors more than anything else about this place. The animal welfare situation at Puppy Farm Dalat is mixed, and opinions among foreign visitors vary quite a bit.
On the positive side, the enclosures are kept clean, staff are present and attentive, and the dogs are vaccinated and well-groomed. Smaller animals like capybaras, raccoons, and guinea pigs generally appear relaxed and are housed in reasonable conditions.
The more critical feedback centers on the dogs themselves. The enclosures, while clean, are fairly small for the number of animals inside. The dogs receive near-constant attention from visitors, with limited downtime or enrichment between sessions. Some visitors have noted signs of stress in certain animals, and the outdoor pens for goats, alpacas, and similar animals have been described as cramped.
This does not make Puppy Farm unique among similar attractions in Vietnam — most petting zoos in the country operate to comparable standards. But if animal welfare is important to you, it is something to factor into your decision. The guide covers this honestly so you can make up your own mind.
What to see and do at Puppy Farm Dalat
1. The dog and small animal area
The dog area is the centerpiece of the farm and the main reason most people visit. There are over 100 dogs from more than 30 breeds, including Huskies, Corgis, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, and Golden Retrievers. The dogs are split across a few separate enclosures, grouped roughly by size. Visitors can enter the pens, interact with the dogs freely, and buy small cups of treats for 10,000 VND per enclosure if they want to feed them.
Note that the dog area operates on a restricted schedule: 8:30–11:30 in the morning and 13:30–16:30 in the afternoon. Outside these windows, the pens are closed to give the dogs a break. Plan your visit around this if the dogs are your main reason for coming.
Alongside the dogs, the indoor section also houses capybaras, raccoons, and guinea pigs. These tend to be a highlight for visitors who were not expecting them — the capybaras in particular get a lot of attention. The raccoons are generally relaxed and approachable.
2. Large animals and outdoor petting
Outside the main building, a separate pen holds alpacas, camels, ponies, goats, and donkeys. This is a more open-air section and a good spot for photos. Animal feed is available here for the same 10,000 VND per cup. The enclosure has drawn some criticism for being on the small side given the number of animals, but it is a standard setup for this type of attraction in Vietnam.
3. The rainbow slide
The dry tube slide is consistently the most talked-about activity at the farm, and for good reason. It is a long, fast descent down a hillside using rubber sleds, and it is included in the entrance ticket with unlimited rides. The views from the top over the surrounding pine hills are genuinely good, and the slide itself is faster than most visitors expect. Queues build up quickly on busy days, so it is worth heading there earlier in your visit rather than saving it for last.
Read also about other rainbow slides in Dalat.
4. Flower gardens and scenic areas
The flower gardens cover nearly two hectares of hillside and are well-maintained throughout the year. Depending on the season, you will find hydrangeas, sunflowers, lavender, cosmos, and various other species rotating through. There are photo props scattered around, a koi pond, and shaded seating areas with views over the valley. It is a pleasant area to walk through, though it feels more like a landscaped park than a working garden. The scenery is genuinely attractive and the hills provide a nice backdrop.
5. Strawberry and vegetable picking
The strawberry and vegetable greenhouses are located in the second section of the farm, about 300 meters from the main area. This part is flat and easy to walk through. The greenhouses use hydroponic growing techniques and produce strawberries, cherry tomatoes in several colors, squash, and pumpkins. Picking is available but costs extra — strawberries run around 250,000 VND per kilogram and you pay for what you pick. It is a fun activity if you are traveling with children, but it is worth knowing upfront that it is not included in the base ticket.
6. Go-karts
The go-kart circuit is also in the second section, just past the greenhouses. It costs 120,000 VND per lap and is one of the better-value add-ons at the farm. The main thing to be aware of is the height restriction — solo drivers need to be at least 140 centimeters tall, and children cannot ride on laps. If you are visiting with younger kids, check this before getting their hopes up. It is also worth driving or taking the shuttle to this section rather than walking, as the road between the two areas carries fast-moving traffic.
7. Bird sanctuary
Near the main animal area there is a bird enclosure where visitors can feed tame birds for free. It is a smaller part of the farm and easy to miss, but worth a quick stop. The birds are approachable and the feeding is included in the ticket.
Location and getting there
Where is Puppy Farm Dalat
Puppy Farm Dalat is located in Mang Lin village, on Cam Ly Street, roughly 8 kilometers northwest of the city center. The surrounding area is quiet and semi-rural, with pine hills and a few other tourist attractions nearby. It sits in the same general direction as the Valley of Love, so it is easy to combine with other spots on that side of the city.
How to get there
The most practical way to get there is by motorbike or scooter, which gives you flexibility for combining nearby attractions. The ride from the city center takes around 20 minutes and the route is straightforward.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps work for getting to the farm, but getting back can be harder. Grab coverage in this area is inconsistent, and the farm does not always have taxis waiting outside. Staff have been known to help visitors call local taxis, but it is not guaranteed. If you are not comfortable on a motorbike, arrange a return pickup in advance or hire a driver for the half-day.
Nearby to combine
The farm sits in a part of Dalat with several other attractions within easy reach, making it a natural anchor for a half-day loop on the western side of the city.
Van Thanh Flower Village. One of Dalat’s largest working flower-growing areas, about 4 kilometers away. Less polished than the farm’s gardens, which is actually the appeal — it feels more like the real thing.
Cam Ly Waterfall. A modest waterfall about 5 kilometers from the farm. Not Dalat’s most impressive natural sight, but easy to include on the route back to the city center without much of a detour.
Langfarm Center. A farm-themed retail and garden complex about 5 kilometers away. Primarily a spot to buy Dalat specialty products — jams, dried fruit, coffee — with some garden areas attached. Worth a short stop if you are interested in local produce.
Mario Kart Dalat (luge). A popular luge track a few kilometers from the farm, often referred to locally as Mario Kart Dalat. It runs on a separate track system down a hillside and is genuinely fun for all ages. A good complement to the slide at Puppy Farm if you are in the mood for that kind of activity.
Practical tips and visiting information
Opening hours and best time to visit
Puppy Farm Dalat is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The dog interaction area runs on a separate schedule — 8:30 to 11:30 in the morning and 13:30 to 16:30 in the afternoon. If seeing the dogs is your priority, plan your arrival around these windows rather than showing up at random.
The farm is busiest on weekends, public holidays, and during the Vietnamese holiday seasons around Tet and the summer school break. Queues for the slide can get long and the animal areas feel noticeably crowded at these times. Arriving early in the morning is the best way to avoid the worst of it and to catch the cooler part of the day.
Dalat’s climate means the farm is a reasonable visit year-round, but the period from November through March offers the most pleasant conditions — clear skies, cooler temperatures, and the flower gardens tend to be at their best.
Entrance fee and what’s included
The entrance fee is 100,000 VND for adults. Children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters tall pay 50,000 VND, and children under 1.2 meters enter free. The base ticket covers access to the animal areas, flower gardens, bird sanctuary, and unlimited rides on the rainbow slide.
Several things cost extra on top of the entrance fee:
- Animal feed: 10,000 VND per cup per enclosure
- Strawberry picking: around 250,000 VND per kilogram
- Go-kart: 120,000 VND per lap
- Shuttle between the two farm sections: 10,000 VND per person each way
Bring cash. Card payments are not reliably accepted for the add-ons and smaller purchases around the farm.
Food and drinks on site
There is a cafe on site with seating and panoramic views over the hills. It is a decent spot to take a break, and the setting is genuinely nice. The food, however, is not a highlight — multiple visitors have found the cooked food disappointing for the price, and the coffee is served in small portions. It is fine for a drink and a rest, but not worth building your visit around. If you are planning a longer half-day, eating before you arrive or after you leave is the better option.
Getting around the farm
The main animal and garden area involves some uphill walking — the terrain is hilly and paths can be steep in places. This is worth knowing if you are traveling with elderly visitors or young children in strollers. The second section with the greenhouses and go-karts is flat and easy to navigate.
The two sections are connected by a road about 300 meters long. It looks walkable, but trucks and motorbikes move fast along this stretch. Taking the shuttle (10,000 VND each way) is the safer and more comfortable option, especially with children.
What to bring
- Cash for add-ons, animal feed, and the shuttle
- A light jacket for early morning visits — Dalat can be cool even during the dry season
- Comfortable walking shoes — the main area involves uneven paths and uphill sections
- A fully charged phone or camera — there is a lot to photograph and no obvious charging points on site
Is Puppy Farm Dalat worth visiting?
For most visitors, yes — but with realistic expectations.
The value for money is hard to argue with. At 100,000 VND per adult, the base ticket covers a genuine variety of activities: the animals, the flower gardens, the bird sanctuary, and unlimited rides on a slide that most people enjoy more than they expected. It is one of the better-priced half-day activities in Dalat, and for families with children it is an easy recommendation.
The experience works best if you treat it for what it is: a well-maintained tourist complex with a petting zoo, some attractive scenery, and a few genuinely fun activities. It is not a farm in any meaningful sense, and it is not a place where animals roam freely in open paddocks. Visitors who arrive expecting that tend to leave disappointed. Visitors who arrive knowing what it is tend to have a good time.
The animal welfare question is the one thing that may genuinely affect your decision. The conditions are not bad by Vietnamese standards, and the animals are clean and cared for. But the dog enclosures are small, the animals receive constant visitor attention with limited downtime, and some of the outdoor pens feel crowded. If this is likely to bother you, it is better to know before you go than to find out when you are there.
The slide is a legitimate highlight and worth the trip on its own for some visitors. The flower gardens are attractive without being spectacular. The strawberry picking and go-karts are fun extras if you have the time and budget, but neither is essential.
Skip it if you are short on time and have already seen similar attractions elsewhere in Vietnam. Prioritize it if you are traveling with kids, want a relaxed half-day away from the city center, or are simply looking for something different from Dalat’s more standard sights.
