Da Lat's Underground Music Scene Finds Home in Highland Cafés

## Live Performances Draw Young Crowds to Alternative Venues

Đà Lạt's cultural landscape is shifting as a vibrant underground music scene takes root in the city's cozy café spaces, offering an alternative to the mainstream tourist entertainment that has long dominated the highland resort town.

Every Friday and Saturday night, venues tucked along Trần Quốc Toản street and around Xuân Hương Lake transform into intimate concert spaces, hosting indie rock, experimental electronic music, and jazz fusion performances that draw crowds of young Vietnamese and expatriates alike.

"We started hosting live music two years ago, but in the past six months the demand has exploded," said Nguyễn Minh Tâm, owner of Đêm Lạnh Café near the Đà Lạt Market. "Now we have bands booking three months in advance."

## From Coffee to Counterculture

The movement reflects broader cultural changes in Đà Lạt, where a growing population of young creatives and remote workers has settled, drawn by the cool climate and lower cost of living compared to Hồ Chí Minh City and Hà Nội.

Venues like The Attic on Phan Bội Châu street and Analog Space near Cam Ly Falls have become hubs for the scene, with some cafés investing in proper sound equipment and acoustic treatments to accommodate weekly performances.

Trần Thu Hằng, a 24-year-old guitarist from Hà Nội who moved to Đà Lạt last year, performs regularly at these venues with her band Sương Mù (Fog). "In the big cities, you're competing with so much noise," she explained. "Here, people actually come to listen. The audience is smaller but more engaged."

## Local Authorities Taking Notice

The growth hasn't gone unnoticed by local officials. The Lâm Đồng Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has begun discussions about establishing clearer guidelines for live music venues, according to sources familiar with the matter.

While some café owners worry about potential restrictions, others see it as recognition of the scene's cultural value. "We're not trying to replace the flower festivals or tourist attractions," said Lê Văn Khoa, who manages a collective of seven performing artists. "We're adding another layer to what makes Đà Lạt special."

With at least 15 cafés now regularly hosting live music and an estimated 200-300 people attending underground shows each weekend, the highland city's reputation as a cultural destination is evolving beyond its traditional image of honeymoon couples and French colonial architecture.