Strawberry Farms in Da Lat and Local Produce: What to Taste and Where to Ride

Why Da Lat grows strawberries

At around 1,500 m above sea level, Da Lat has spring-like weather for most of the year. That is rare in Vietnam, and it's why strawberries (dâu tây), vegetables, flowers and temperate fruit grow here so well. Most strawberries today are grown in greenhouses or under plastic roofs, often in raised beds or hanging rows, which keeps the fruit clean and protects it from heavy rain.

How a strawberry farm visit works

Many family farms around the city welcome visitors. The usual format is simple:

• You walk through the greenhouse, take photos and pick strawberries yourself.
• You pay for what you pick, usually by weight — ask the price before you start, as it varies by farm and season.
• Some farms also sell jam, dried strawberries, strawberry wine or smoothies, and a few have a small café corner.

Pick gently by the stem, don't step into the beds and always ask before tasting. It's a working farm, not a theme park — a smile and a "cảm ơn" (thank you) go a long way.

When to go

You can find strawberries in Da Lat in most months, but the fruit is usually sweetest and most plentiful in the dry season, roughly December to April. In the rainy months farms still have fruit in their greenhouses, just a little less of it. Mornings are the nicest time: cooler air, soft light for photos and the freshest picking before the afternoon showers.

Where the farms are

Strawberry farms are scattered around the outskirts rather than in one place. Two easy directions by motorbike:

• North, towards Lang Biang and Lac Duong — roughly 10–12 km from the centre, with many greenhouses and farm signs along the way. Combine it with a view of Lang Biang Mountain.
• The farming valleys east and northeast of the centre — the areas towards Thai Phien and Trai Mat, about 5–8 km away, where flower and vegetable farms sit side by side. See our guide to flower villages and farms for this side of town.

Look for hand-painted signs saying "vườn dâu" (strawberry garden) or "dâu tây tự hái" (pick your own strawberries). Farms open and close and change from season to season, so ask us at the shop which ones are good right now.

Other local produce worth tasting

• Artichoke (atiso) — dried artichoke tea is Da Lat's classic gift and a nice warm drink on a chilly evening.
• Avocado (bơ) — the highlands grow excellent avocados; try them in a smoothie or as avocado ice cream.
• Persimmons (hồng) — towards the end of the year you'll see wind-dried persimmons (hồng treo gió), soft and sweet.
• Mulberries and passion fruit — often sold as syrups, jams and juices.
• Coffee — the plateau around Da Lat grows arabica; many cafés serve local beans.
• Fresh vegetables — Da Lat supplies much of southern Vietnam with greens, carrots and cabbages; you'll taste the difference in a hotpot.

The easiest place to see all of this in one go is Da Lat Market and the night market next to it, where stalls sell fresh fruit, jams, teas and dried snacks. For more dishes, see what to eat in Da Lat.

Tips for the ride

• Farm lanes can be narrow, steep or muddy after rain — ride slowly and park where you won't block the farmer's truck.
• Bring small cash; farms rarely take cards.
• Strawberries bruise easily: carry them in a box under the seat, not in a plastic bag on the handlebar.
• No alcohol or beer when riding (save the strawberry wine for the evening), and strictly follow Vietnamese traffic law.

Ride out with Van Phu

A farm visit is a perfect half-day trip. Our Honda Vision 110cc is great for nearby farms, the Honda Air Blade 125cc is more comfortable on the hills towards Lang Biang, and every bike is 150,000 VND per day with a helmet and phone holder included and no cash deposit. Message us on WhatsApp or Zalo and we'll suggest a farm loop for the season — and keep a box under the seat for your strawberries.