Dalat is gearing up for its 11th Flower Festival in 2026, with a series of urban improvement and landscaping projects under way, particularly along Prenn Pass, an important gateway to the city.
Since early November, authorities in Xuan Huong-Dalat Ward have been upgrading and beautifying sections of the mountain pass in preparation for the major event.
One of the most striking additions is a colourful mural measuring 120 metres long and six metres high, painted on a concrete embankment at the entrance to Dalat.
Nguyen Van Manh, a representative of Dalat Wall Painting Co Ltd, said the landscape artwork depicts Lam Dong Province, spanning its highland landscapes and coastal areas following the recent administrative merger. The design was approved by local authorities before work began.
Eight artists started painting the mural on November 8, with completion expected in early December, ahead of the festival.
The artwork, depicting the diverse landscapes of Lam Dong from the Central Highlands to the coast, is gradually taking shape and attracting considerable interest from local residents.
Alongside the mural, authorities in Xuan Huong Ward are also developing flower gardens and ornamental plant displays along both sides of Prenn Pass.
Ho Huu Tuong, director of the ward's General Services Centre, said the local authorities had coordinated the planting of more than 23,000 pots of flowers and ornamental plants to enhance the landscape ahead of the festival.
The previously austere railings on Datanla Bridge, near the Datanla Waterfall Tourist Area, have also been decorated with pots of geraniums, transforming the structure into a colourful attraction.
The grounds around the intersection of Prenn Pass and Truc Lam Yen Tu Road, which leads to the Tuyen Lam Lake National Tourist Area, have also been turned into vibrant flower gardens.
Rows of colourful flowers lining Prenn Pass are giving the City of Flowers a fresh and more vibrant appearance.
Stretching seven kilometres along National Highway 20, Prenn Pass is one of Dalat's main gateways and a vital transport route connecting the city with Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, the 11th Dalat Flower Festival 2026 is scheduled to open on the evening of December 19 and conclude on the night of December 31 with a New Year 2027 celebration at Lam Vien Square in Xuan Huong-Dalat Ward.
The festival will feature 11 main programmes and activities, including the launch of a campaign encouraging every individual and household to plant flowers and trees in celebration of the event.
Other highlights will include floral displays around Xuan Huong Lake, in parks and along central streets, as well as international flower and ornamental plant exhibitions.
The closing celebrations will be combined with an artistic programme welcoming 2027.
In addition to the main events scheduled for late December, Lam Dong Province will organise 25 accompanying cultural and artistic programmes throughout the year across the province.
