In the strawberry fields around Thánh Mẫu street, row after row of bright red fruit hangs from the vines as visitors bend over with baskets to pick their own — Đà Lạt strawberries (dâu tây Đà Lạt) are the most representative sweet produce of this highland flower city, but they're also a hotspot repeatedly named by mainstream Vietnamese state media for origin fraud.
The Thánh Mẫu street pick-your-own farm cluster
Multiple independent travel outlets cross-list several pick-your-own farms on Thánh Mẫu street, such as Vườn Dâu 88 and Vườn dâu cô Thảo, all places where visitors can pick fresh and take in the sights of Đà Lạt's highland agriculture. Beyond eating them fresh off the vine, strawberries are also commonly processed into jam (mứt dâu) and dried fruit as souvenirs to take home.
An important honest warning: dyed Chinese strawberries passed off as Đà Lạt specialties
An important honest warning is needed here: Đà Lạt strawberries are a hotspot repeatedly reported on by mainstream state media for 'origin fraud.' The state outlet VietNamNet once ran a dedicated feature, 'Nhuộm màu, tẩy tem: Hàng Trung Quốc thành đặc sản Đà Lạt,' and VnExpress Đời sống also ran a feature, 'Nhận biết dâu tây Đà Lạt và dâu tây Trung Quốc,' documenting the long-standing problem of Chinese strawberries being dyed, repackaged, and mislabeled to pass as Đà Lạt strawberries in the market. In 2025, state media further reported that police at Liên Khương Airport seized 3.5 tonnes of suspected Chinese strawberries intended for sale in Đà Lạt. It's recommended to buy directly from a reputable pick-your-own farm rather than from roadside stalls or unmarked vendors — the most direct way to protect both your wallet and your taste buds.
How to Buy With Confidence
- Buying directly from a reputable pick-your-own farm is the most reliable way to avoid fraud.
- Avoid roadside stalls or unmarked vendors, which lowers the risk of buying mislabeled goods.
- When buying jam, dried fruit, or other souvenirs, also look for a reputable farm or brand.
An Honest Look at This Long-Standing Origin Fraud
- Both state outlets VietNamNet and VnExpress have long documented dyed Chinese strawberries passed off as Đà Lạt specialties.
- In 2025, police at Liên Khương Airport seized 3.5 tonnes of suspected Chinese strawberries intended for sale in Đà Lạt.
- This is a hotspot repeatedly named by mainstream media — buyers should stay alert when purchasing.
A basket of freshly picked Đà Lạt strawberries is sweet on the tongue, but that sweetness comes with the origin fraud repeatedly exposed by state media. Picking them yourself at a reputable farm is the most solid way to enjoy this highland dessert on your trip.