Persimmons Arrive in the Mountain Town
In September, as the final seasonal rains become less frequent, Da Lat takes on a distinctive charm as its persimmon orchards hang heavy with ripe fruit. From the outskirts to suburban areas, the orchards attract visitors who stroll beneath the trees, admire and taste the ripening fruit, and experience the gentle beauty of the mountain town at the turn of the season.
The Color of Persimmons Signals the Season
These days, visitors traveling through persimmon-growing areas on the outskirts of Da Lat can easily spot orchards entering the harvest season. Clusters of golden-yellow persimmons hang beneath the foliage, signaling that harvest time is drawing near.
For local residents, familiar varieties such as crisp persimmons, square persimmons and egg-shaped persimmons are grown in many suburban areas. When the fruit ripens, these orchards also become popular stops for visitors.
At some orchards, owners set aside part of their land to welcome tourists. Visitors can walk beneath the persimmon trees, pick the fruit themselves, learn how the trees are cared for, or enjoy slices of crisp persimmon right in the orchard. The setting is not elaborate; it is precisely this simplicity that adds to the appeal of the “land of mist.”
Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said this was her first time visiting a persimmon orchard during the peak ripening season.
"I had only seen persimmon trees in photos online, but being here let me experience the atmosphere for myself.” Minh Anh said.
For many visitors, a trip to Da Lat during persimmon season does not require a full day. Spending a morning or afternoon exploring suburban orchards and slowly walking between rows of trees is enough to experience another side of the mountain town.
A Season of Fruit, A Distinctive Character
Da Lat’s persimmon season begins in September and ends in December. As the fruit reaches its peak ripeness, the orchards become livelier. Farmers become busy harvesting and sorting the fruit before sending it to distribution points, while orchards that welcome visitors prepare additional experiences for tourists.
Persimmon orchards offer visitors a sense of closeness and familiarity. It may be an afternoon spent picking fruit, sitting beneath a tree, chatting with a grower, or simply enjoying a few quiet moments surrounded by nature.
Tran Hoang Nam, a visitor from Hanoi, said what interested him was not simply having another place to take photos, but the opportunity to step into a genuine agricultural setting.
“What I like is that everything feels quite natural. The orchard owner talks about the persimmon trees, the harvest season and how crisp persimmons are made. Those stories make the trip much more interesting than simply coming to take photos and leaving,” Nam said.
Through these seasonal harvests, orchard owners are gaining more opportunities to connect agricultural production with tourism. Agriculture-based experiences help visitors better understand local characteristics while opening new ways to introduce Da Lat’s agricultural products to consumers.
As the rainy season draws to a close, the hills begin to dry out and the sunlight softens, Da Lat enters a distinctive period of the year. Old persimmon trees quietly hold clusters of ripe fruit on their branches against blue skies and glimpses of low-roofed houses. For local residents, it is harvest season; for visitors, it is a chance to discover a more intimate and slower-paced Da Lat.
Perhaps that is why, among the many familiar destinations in the mountain town, persimmon orchards continue to retain their own appeal. There is no need for elaborate arrangements or bustling activities. The sight of ripe fruit against green leaves alone is enough to make passersby stop.
As persimmon season arrives, Da Lat offers visitors another reason to return — to spend a peaceful afternoon among orchards at their most beautiful.