Pink Grass Season in Da Lat: Where to See the Cỏ Hồng Hills by Motorbike

What "cỏ hồng" is and when it turns pink

Cỏ hồng — "pink grass" — is a wild grass that grows on open, sunny hillsides around Da Lat. Most of the year it looks like ordinary green or straw-coloured grass. As the rainy season ends, its feathery flower heads appear and whole slopes take on a pink, sometimes reddish or silvery-violet tone, especially when the low sun shines through them.

The pink grass season in Da Lat usually runs from about November to December, overlapping with the yellow wild sunflowers (dã quỳ). The exact timing changes every year with the weather, and a hill that was pink last week can fade after strong wind or rain. Before you ride out, message us — we're happy to tell you what locals are seeing right now.

Where to look by motorbike

Pink grass isn't one single attraction; it grows on many bare hills on the edges of the city. A few directions where locals often find it:

• North towards Lac Duong and Lang Biang (about 10–15 km) — open hills and valleys on the way to the mountain; easy to combine with a coffee stop or the Lang Biang area.
• West towards Ta Nung (about 15–20 km) — a quieter, winding road with wide views over hills and valleys. Ride it slowly.
• Around Tuyen Lam Lake (south, about 6–10 km) — some open slopes between the pine forests, close to Truc Lam Monastery.
• East towards Trai Mat and Cau Dat — farmland and tea hills where patches of pink and yellow appear on the roadsides.

Our Da Lat motorbike routes show how these directions fit into a day, and the wild sunflower guide covers the yellow flowers that bloom at the same time.

Best time of day for photos

• Early morning — soft light, often mist in the valleys, and fewer people. Our shop opens at 4:30 am, so a sunrise ride is easy; see our cloud hunting guide for riding before dawn.
• Late afternoon — the sun behind the grass makes the pink glow. Leave enough time to ride back before dark.
• Midday — the colour looks flatter in strong sun; a good time for coffee instead.

Visit respectfully

• Many pink hills are on private or farm land. If there is a fence, a sign or someone asking for a small entrance fee, respect it — and never cut fences or ride over crops.
• Stay on existing paths. The grass is delicate; walking off-path or lying in it for photos leaves bare patches that take a long time to recover.
• Don't pick the grass or take it home — it dries out within hours anyway.
• Take all rubbish with you.

Riding tips and which bike to take

Most pink-grass areas are outside the city on hilly roads, some with steep or rough sections. The Honda Air Blade 125cc is the most comfortable choice, especially with a passenger; the Honda Vision 110cc is fine for nearby spots. The electric scooter is best kept for the city — avoid long, steep passes such as Prenn, Mimosa and the road up Lang Biang. For more on hill roads, read our guide to Da Lat's scenic roads.

• Pull over completely off the road before taking photos — never stop on a bend.
• Mornings are cold in November and December; bring a warm jacket and gloves.
• Vietnam drives on the right. Ride slowly on gravel and dirt tracks.
• No alcohol or beer when riding, and strictly follow Vietnamese traffic law.

Rent a bike for the pink grass season

Every bike at Văn Phú costs 150,000 VND per day, with a free helmet, a phone holder and no cash deposit — you leave your passport or ID card. Pick up at 1/15/5 Thông Thiên Học from 4:30 am, or tell us your plans and we'll suggest the best direction for the day. See all bikes on our Da Lat motorbike rental page.