The French doctor Alexandre Yersin developed Dalat in 1893 and turned it into a hillside retreat for the French colonists sweltering in the lowlands. Little did he know that one day it would become one of the most beloved cities of Vietnam. Dalat has many villas built by French officials during the early part of the 20th century, as well as more modern Vietnamese versions of villas for weekend retreats from Saigon. Dalat is also known for its quirky atmosphere, being by Vietnamese bohemians and artists.