Wild mushrooms in a pine forest in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, June 2025. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre
Lam Dong General Hospital said the patients showed symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea after consuming mushrooms collected in nearby forests.
Health officials said some patients required transfer to Ho Chi Minh City due to severe symptoms, although most recovered after several days of treatment.
The rainy season has triggered a spike in mushroom growth, known locally as "loc troi" or "heaven's bounty".
Foragers often identify mushrooms by color and shape, using names such as "chicken egg", "beef liver" and "coral mushroom".
A student from Da Lat University learns to identify wild mushrooms in a pine forest in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, June 2025. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre
A resident, identified only as N.K.P., said she and her friends regularly collect several kilograms per trip and sell the mushrooms for VND120,000–200,000 (US$4.6–$7.7) per kilogram.
Hospitalized patient L.V.M., from Duc Trong District, said he became ill hours after a meal with foraged mushrooms.
"I often eat these mushrooms during rainy seasons. But this time, only I got sick. Maybe I ate some strange types," he said.
A student from Da Lat University learns to identify wild mushrooms in a pine forest in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, June 2025. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre
Dr. Cao Thi Hong Mai of Lam Dong General Hospital said symptoms of poisoning can appear within 30 minutes and may damage the liver or kidneys.
"Delayed treatment could be fatal," she said.
Authorities have warned against relying on visual identification alone.
Truong Nguyen Minh Duc, a biology student at Da Lat University, said even specialists only consume species they are completely certain about.
Dr. Truong Binh Nguyen (C) conducts a field lesson for students from Da Lat University on identifying common mushroom species in Da Lat City's forests, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, June 2025. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre
Da Lat and its surrounding areas are home to more than 300 mushroom species, including over 50 from the Amanita genus, which contains toxic compounds, according to biologist Truong Binh Nguyen.
"Some poisonous mushrooms resemble edible varieties and are hard to distinguish by eye," Nguyen said.
Tour operators said they have avoided organizing mushroom foraging tours due to the risks, although some self-guided tours continue without expert supervision.
Environmental experts have also raised concerns that unregulated mushroom foraging may disrupt forest ecosystems and pose safety risks for foragers navigating remote or slippery terrain.
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