Carbon dots are carbon-based nanoparticles renowned for their intense light-emitting capabilities covering the whole visible light range. Here, we overcome these problems by solvothermally synthesizing carbon dots starting from Neutral Red, a common red-emitting dye, as a molecular precursor. The obtained nanoparticles are highly luminescent in the red region, with a quantum yield comparable to that of the starting dye. Most importantly, the nanoparticle carbogenic matrix protects the Neutral Red molecules from photobleaching under ultraviolet excitation while preventing aggregation-induced quenching, thus allowing solid-state emission inside PVA. Finally, the dye-based carbon dots demonstrate stable and efficient random lasing emission in the red region.