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If you and your close ones need things to do in Da Lat during rainy season, don’t miss the chance to wander through pine forests and try your hand at picking mushrooms. Keep reading, because Asia King Travel promises to be a helpful guide as you explore everything this special experience has to offer.
Mushroom picking in Da Lat is more than just a typical outdoor activity
One of the biggest reasons mushroom picking in Da Lat thrives is thanks to its natural setting and climate. With more than half of the area covered in lush forests and humidity levels rising during the rainy season, Da Lat possesses the perfect environment for wild mushrooms to grow in abundance. As a result, foraging activity has recently become popular, not only among locals but also travelers looking to immerse themselves in the region’s nature-centered rhythms.
In terms of Da Lat mushroom picking tours, they are now available in various options depending on your budget and interests. A standard tour typically costs between VND 300,000 to 650,000, which includes foraging and mushroom cleaning service afterward.
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A typical mushroom foraging tour is usually priced between VND 300,000 and 650,000
For those looking to enjoy a more complete culinary experience, premium packages are also available. These can range from VND 800,000 to 1,000,000, and usually feature a barbecue right in the forest. There will be freshly grilled mushrooms served alongside chicken and seasonal vegetables, all of which are prepared on-site.
Most of these experiences are designed as community-based cultural tours. In addition, they also include transportation by motorbike as well as breakfast, apart from a meal after the picking session.
Read more: Da Lat Tour 3 days: Tranquility Escape
Between 6:00 and 7:30 AM, you begin your mushroom-picking adventure in Da Lat with a light jacket and a backpack carrying all essentials. The weather at this window still holds a gentle chill, with mist lingering over the mountain peaks. You might have to gather at a central meeting point before setting off with local guides to the mushroom-picking place.
If you're heading to pine hills, there's no need to worry because the trail won’t be too steep, making it feel more like a light morning trek to get you warmed up. Here, crisp air mixed with earthy scent of damp soil brings a refreshing feeling that’s hard to describe. It might be the one that instantly connects you to nature.
Your group is then led into the mushroom foraging spot, where you learn how to identify edible mushrooms safely. Throughout the walk, guides would share useful tips on spotting mushrooms hidden beneath pine needles or growing on damp logs, and explain how to distinguish the good from the inedible.
During the walk, guides often provide helpful insights on how to identify mushrooms
For some sneak peeks, the most commonly found mushrooms in Da Lat include beef liver mushrooms with their rich, meaty flavor, next are red and yellow kaki mushrooms, drumstick mushrooms, and last but not least, shiitake, known for the umami depth. Each type has its own texture and ideal cooking method, and half the fun is learning this firsthand from your guide.
By midday, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can either choose to hold a mushroom barbecue right in the forest or bring your hand-picked mushrooms back with you to cook later.
Timing is everything when it comes to mushroom picking in Da Lat. The best window for this experience falls between early May and late October. This period marks the rainy season, when the pine forests begin to soak up moisture and create the perfect environment for mushrooms to thrive.
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Da Lat’s prime mushroom season runs from May to October
But picking mushrooms during or immediately after heavy rain isn’t ideal. Mushrooms that absorb too much water will become soft, damaged, or even infested with worms and insects. To avoid this, it’s best to wait until the skies clear and the forest has had a little time to dry out. That’s when you’ll find mushrooms at their freshest and most flavorful.
To make sure your mushroom-picking experience in Da Lat goes smoothly, a bit of preparation can go a long way.
Start with your outfit, it is recommended to wear comfortable, modest clothing that covers your arms and legs, along with non-slip shoes and a pair of gloves to protect your hands while foraging. Bringing a basket or a breathable bag is also a great idea if you plan to take your mushrooms home and enjoy them later. Since the activity takes place in forested areas, it’s wise to carry insect repellent to guard against mosquitoes, especially during early morning hours.
For mushroom-picking experience, it’s best to wear clothes that cover your arms and legs
Most importantly, never go mushroom picking in Da Lat alone. It’s safest to join a guided tour or go with a local who knows the area and can help you identify which mushrooms are safe to eat. Foraging may seem simple, but mushroom safety should never be taken lightly. You should only consume mushrooms that have been confirmed as edible by someone with experience or proper knowledge.
Address: Mang Lin Hamlet, Cam Ly Road, Lang Biang - Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province
Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About 10 kilometers from Da Lat’s old city center lies a quiet gem named Da Lat Mushroom Village. This seven-hectare agri-tourism destination offers more than just a scenic escape into the cool highland air; it invites you into the fascinating world of fungi cultivation. Here, all the mushrooms are grown with organic methods, making them a favorite among chefs and health-conscious food enthusiasts across the region.
Dalat Mushroom Village also provides mushroom foraging experiences
Besides planting mushrooms, Dalat Mushroom Village also offers mushroom hunting services. Visitors will learn about how mushrooms sprout, and even try their hand at picking fresh mushrooms straight from the growing rooms.
After a morning of exploring, guests can sample an array of mushroom-based dishes made from freshly harvested products. There’s also a small shop where visitors can purchase packed mushrooms or take home products made from the village’s harvest.
Read more: Ho Chi Minh Mui Ne Da Lat Tour 4 Days: Southern Vietnam Explorer
Address: Tuyen Lam Lake National Tourist Area, Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province
Opening hours: All day
The pine forest near Tuyen Lam Lake is one of the most scenic and mushroom-rich spots in Da Lat. Located near Elephant Mountain, this area is easily accessible even for those with little to no forest trekking experience. The trails here are gentle and well-marked, hence, the journey is both manageable and thoroughly enjoyable.
In this forest, you may come across an impressive range of mushrooms like button mushrooms, straw mushrooms, shiitake, drumstick mushrooms, and more. Some grow in the shade of the pines, while others thrive on decaying logs and forest floors rich in organic matter.
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The pine forest by Tuyen Lam Lake is among the most mushroom-abundant areas in Da Lat
Address: Xuan Truong - Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province
Opening hours: All day
Xuan Tho Forest is known for its rich biodiversity and untouched natural beauty. As you wander along forest trails, you’ll find yourself immersed in a peaceful landscape of damp, shaded corners where mushrooms thrive undisturbed.
This forest is also less frequented than other popular spots, which turns out to be a major advantage for mushroom pickers. With fewer people passing through, the natural mushroom patches here are often left undisturbed, giving them more time to grow in both size and quantity. That means you’ll have a higher chance of finding large, healthy mushrooms and in greater numbers.
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Xuan Tho Forest is known for its rich biodiversity, especially in mushrooms
Mushroom picking in Da Lat is truly worth a place on your rainy season itinerary. Here, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in simple joy of foraging ingredients straight from the forest. If that sounds like what you are looking for in a central Vietnam tour, please reach out to Asia King Travel, and let us help you plan a journey filled with baskets of freshly picked mushrooms.
Read more: Da Lat Tour 2 Days: A Dreamy Escape to the Highlands
