The US magazine selected Da Lat as the opening destination for a global journey of discovery at the start of a new day. The Lam Vien Plateau is described as "where the sunrise merges with the clouds," with misty valleys and mountain peaks emerging like islands floating in a "white sea."

A sea of clouds covers pine forests and hills in Da Lat. Photo: *Vu Ngoc Thien*.

National Geographic describes cloud hunting in Da Lat as a ritual for nature lovers. Before sunrise, visitors climb hills about 1,400 m high to watch mist roll over pine forests and tea plantations. This moment lasts about one hour, as the cool night air holds clouds in the valleys before the sun gradually dissipates the mist.

"Da Lat's clouds are most beautiful in the crisp morning air, indescribable, only to be felt with all senses," the magazine quoted Dinh Van Don, owner of Happy Day Travel.

Early morning mist blends with clouds on Da Phu hill. Photo: *Vu Ngoc Thien*.

For cloud hunting, visitors should wake up between 5-6 a.m. Local residents and photographers suggest ideal viewing spots including: Da Phu, Thien Phuc Duc, and Ngo Quyen, where dense seas of clouds and early morning sun appear.

What began as a local pastime, cloud hunting has become a signature experience in Da Lat, attracting thousands of visitors. The travel feature states that this is "a rare moment when the boundary between sky and earth almost disappears," creating a unique appeal for Vietnam on the global sunrise map.

The center of Da Lat viewed from Ngo Quyen hill as the mist dissipates. Photo: *Vu Ngoc Thien*.

The moment of welcoming a new day on Da Phu hill. Photo: *Vu Ngoc Thien*.

Ethereal mist and clouds on Thien Phuc Duc hill. Photo: *Vu Ngoc Thien*.

The six other locations the US magazine featured after Da Lat include: Danakil (Ethiopia), with its Erta Ale volcano and Asale salt lake; the Andes (Peru), where Quechua artisans weave in the early mist; Emilia-Romagna (Italy), known for its Parmigiano Reggiano making ritual at dawn; the Guerande salt marshes (France), sparkling in the early morning; the Azores (Portugal), where wooden boats set sail before sunrise; and Varanasi (India), where the Ganges River resonates with early morning raga melodies.

National Geographic Traveller, a travel magazine within the NatGeo system, is renowned for its vivid storytelling and high-quality imagery. Launched in 1984, its UK edition began publication in 2010, targeting readers who enjoy exploration and sustainable travel. With a global network of contributors and strict editorial standards, it stands as a credible reference for travel destinations and experiences.

Tuan Anh