Pink grass season in Da Lat

The last two months of the year are the pink grass season in Da Lat, when the grass carpets in the Golden Valley and Masara Hill areas turn a purplish-pink color.

The distinctive pink grass season of Da Lat appears only once a year, from around the beginning of November to the end of December.

Currently, pink grass is blooming everywhere in Da Lat, on the hills under the pine forest canopy or in the grounds of tourist attractions such as Da Lat's Golden Valley, the barren hills, the lonely tree Dankia or Masara Hill in the outskirts.

Pink grass is a type of weed, belonging to the coniferous group, growing in small clumps, with slender stems and leaves. After the rainy season, the old grass withers and new grass sprouts from the ground. At this time, the leaves and tiny flowers are pinkish-purple. In the early morning, dew drops still cling thickly to the grass, glistening in the sunlight, which is why many people also call it snow grass.

Each blade of grass grows in clumps, clinging to the ground, no taller than a person's ankles. These clumps of pink grass grow densely, intertwining to cover an entire valley or hillside. The pinkish-purple hue makes the scenery unusual and different from other seasons of the year.

Living in Da Lat, 28-year-old Pham Kim Nhan never misses the pink grass season at the end of each year. His first choice is the pink grass hill in the Golden Valley, located about 12km from the center of Da Lat city. According to the National Tourism Administration website, this area boasts a complex of pine forests and grass hills covering approximately 170 hectares.

Arriving here on November 20th, Nhân said the grass had bloomed all over the hillside. "The scenery looked like it was draped in a soft pink fur coat when the weather in Da Lat was cool," he said.

For travelers with limited time, the Golden Valley is the perfect place to "hunt" for pink grass. Here, pine forests, carpets of pink grass, sunshine, and morning mist create a unique atmosphere, allowing visitors to capture photos that perfectly capture the essence of Da Lat.

But if visitors want to admire a vast expanse of pink grass meadow, they should spend time visiting Masara Hill in the outskirts of the city, Nhân said.

After more than two hours of travel, he arrived at Masara Grass Hill in Masara Cultural Village, Ta Nang Commune, Duc Trong District, nearly 80 km from the center of Da Lat City. This area borders the two provinces of Lam Dong and Binh Thuan, and is also where the Lam Dong plateau begins to decrease in altitude. Here, a vast grassland is dyed pink by the color of the grass.

Unlike the pink grass hills that grow alongside pine forests, in Masara, the pink grass grows on barren hills, with only a few pine trees in some places, and even those are not numerous.

Without pine forests to provide cover, the entire vast area is blanketed in pink grass. The pink grass in Masara is darker, almost like burnt grass due to being directly exposed to sunlight all day, unlike the snow-white pink found in the Golden Valley.

Masara's beauty lies in the combination of pink grass meadows and expansive open spaces. Standing anywhere on the hill, you can gaze out at the grass stretching to the horizon, Nhân shared.

The best time to admire and photograph the pink grass is after sunset at 4 PM and at sunrise, from about 6 AM to 8 AM. At those times, the sunlight is gentle, not too harsh, and the grass displays its beautiful color.

Masara is also one of the most beautiful camping and sunrise spots in Da Lat, especially towards the end of the year. Visitors can bring their own camping equipment, set up tents, stay overnight, and admire the pink meadow in the sunrise the next morning.

When camping, visitors should choose areas with little grass and shelter from the wind to avoid affecting the scenery. At night, the outdoor temperature drops, so it's necessary to prepare enough warm clothing and equipment to ensure good health, Mr. Nhan shared.

The pink grass season lasts until around the end of December, although depending on the location, the grass may wither earlier or later. The pink grass is usually at its most beautiful around the end of November.

Pink grass is only beautiful when there is enough dew and sunshine, so visitors should choose sunny days when the pink color of the grass is more prominent. Avoid going on rainy or cloudy days, as the grass color will be lighter and darker.

Da Lat is currently in its cool, sunny season, and tourists can combine admiring the pink grass with chasing clouds, mist, and wild sunflowers to fully enjoy the beauty of this place in the last months of the year.

Quynh Mai Photo: Pham Kim Nhan

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