Top 18 Most Famous Specialty Fruits in Vietnam

Vinh Kim Milk Apple has long been famous in the domestic fruit market. Milk apple trees grown here yield high productivity, with white fruit, thin skin, small seeds, thick flesh, and a very sweet and fragrant taste. In commercial transactions, this type of fruit is called Milk Apple, meaning apple with a milky taste. The land here is characterized by rich, loamy soil, and milk apple trees thrive in hot conditions, resulting in high productivity and quality fruit at Vinh Kim.

Milk apple is a fruit rich in vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals that provide vital energy for the body. Women who consume this fruit regularly will have youthful, smooth skin, as milk apple contains high levels of antioxidants. This delicious and nutritious fruit, Vinh Kim Milk Apple, is loved by many. It is not only present in the Vietnamese fruit market but also exported to international markets.

Golden Rice Lychee Boat is renowned on the land full of sunshine and wind, at the southernmost tip of the S-shaped land, Cà Mau. Generally, boat lychees are highly priced, ranging from 65,000 to 100,000 VND, so local people make a good profit, enriching the households here.

The land here is close to the sea, so the wind is very strong. When the trees start to bear fruit, nets must be used to prevent the wind from causing them to fall off and to prevent clusters from banging against each other and breaking. Moreover, when ripe, the fruit is very attractive to various birds and bats. The boat lychee is large, turning deep brown when ripe, with small seeds, thick flesh, and very firm clusters. Nowadays, this type of tree is being crossbred and expanded in production scale.

Hoai Loc Sand Mango is a delicious fruit from the Mekong Delta favored for its attractive color and rich flavor. The fruit weighs from 350 to 450 grams, with a light yellow color when ripe, fresh and firm flesh, and a very sweet taste. This type of mango originates from Hoa Loc commune, Giao Duc district, Dinh Tuong province, which today belongs to Hoa Hung commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province.

The best time to enjoy Hoai Loc Sand Mango is when it's fully ripe, with smooth and firm flesh, very little fiber, so no matter how ripe it is, it remains delicious. Hoai Loc Mango follows traders to markets across provinces and cities and is even expanding into international markets, serving some of the most demanding markets such as the United States and Japan.

In Vietnam, durian was introduced from Thailand and first cultivated in Tan Quy, Bien Hoa, then spread to the southern provinces and the Central Highlands. However, the best ones are found in Vinh Long commune in the Mekong Delta. For many who have never tasted it or are not accustomed, the smell may seem 'terrifying,' akin to its spiky appearance. But for those familiar with it, durian has a very distinct aroma and flavor, sweet and creamy like butter.

The name Ri6 durian is a tribute to Mr. Sau Ri, who contributed to the breeding of this durian variety. Ri6 durian is a special fruit, high in calories, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and minerals compared to other fruits. Each fruit weighs from 3 to 5 kilograms, with very few seeds, and the fleshes are often large, yellow, and shiny, making them very appealing.

Chợ Lách Soursop, a specialty of the Ben Tre river region, has long been known to many. Chợ Lách District is home to 1,200 hectares of soursop, an easy-to-grow fruit tree with few diseases and minimal care requirements, allowing locals to intercrop with other crops.

The soursop fruit here is large, with many segments but very few seeds, boasting a distinctive sweet and rich flavor. Chợ Lách Soursop is quite rare, and the domestic soursop market is highly competitive, resulting in soursop prices typically ranging from 70 to 80 thousand dong per kilogram.

When it comes to lychees, people often think of Luc Ngan lychees in Bac Giang, but in Thanh Ha, Hai Duong, there are also delicious and high-quality lychees. The Thanh Ha region is surrounded by two large rivers, the Red River and the Thai Binh River, with fertile soil, rich in nutrients, and abundant water sources, making it ideal for lychee trees to thrive and achieve high yields.

Thanh Ha lychees have thin skin, thick flesh, and small seeds, with a sweet taste. The ancestral lychee trees are still owned by Mr. Hoang Van Thu, Mr. Thanh's grandson, who brought lychee seeds to Thanh Ha for cultivation. Lychees have been the pride of Thanh Ha land, providing the main source of income for the local people. However, like other fruits, they face difficulties due to lack of market access, resulting in price drops in many seasons, causing concern for the locals.

In the 1990s, dragon fruit was planted by farmers in Binh Thuan as ornamental plants, rather than being developed into fruit-bearing trees as it is today. This is a drought-resistant plant, not picky about soil, very suitable for the climate and soil conditions of Binh Thuan.

Dragon fruit has a sweet taste, cooling properties, and contains many vitamins such as B1, B2, B3... It helps improve digestion, anti-aging for the skin, and controls and prevents diabetes. Despite its renowned deliciousness, the dragon fruit in this area has not found a market, sometimes falling into the situation of being 'in season, but losing value.'

Chau Thanh District, located along the fertile banks of the Tien River with abundant alluvial soil, is a prosperous area suitable for fruit cultivation. One of the specialties of this region is the hong xiêm. Northern Mace has the advantage of bearing fruit almost year-round, avoiding seasonal fluctuations and market saturation. Caring for this type of tree is relatively simple and does not require excessive effort.

Northern Mace is a fruit that brings high economic benefits, with some years yielding profits of over 300 million VND per hectare after deducting expenses. Northern Mace bears large, beautifully shaped fruits with sweet, fragrant flesh and small seeds.

Vinh Long boasts the renowned Năm Roi pomelo, harvested in August and December of the lunar calendar. This variety of pomelo was brought and cultivated by an elderly man named Bui Van Tuoc. In 1996, a local fruit contest was organized, where Mr. Tuoc entered this pomelo variety and unexpectedly received favorable results. Since then, this pomelo variety has been widely propagated and cultivated.

The Năm Roi pomelo carries the brand across the country and promotes Vinh Long's specialty in the international market. While not large in size, the pomelo has thick segments, few seeds, juicy flesh, and a delightful fragrance with a balanced sweet and tangy taste, particularly when paired with salt and chili.

Pomelo Doan Hung is a specialty pomelo variety from Phu Tho, renowned throughout the Northern region, much like Bo Ha with oranges, Hung Yen with longan, Xuan Dinh with pomelo, and Lang with mint.

This must be a long-standing cultivated tree, with flattened spherical fruits weighing less than 1 kg each. When ripe, they have a bright yellow color, slightly wrinkled skin, thin rind, juicy segments, pearly white pulp, characterized by a fragrant, delicious, sweet, and refreshing taste. The specialty pomelo variety of Phu Tho can be stored for several months to half a year, and even when opened, it remains sweet and delicious as usual.

Pomelo Doan Hung has two outstanding varieties, namely Bang Luan pomelo and Su Chi Dam pomelo:

• Bang Luan Pomelo, which has been the most prevalent variety in Doan Hung for 200 to 300 years, predominantly grown in Bang Luan and Que Lam communes, exhibiting consistently excellent quality. Bang Luan Pomelo has small leaves, small spherical or leaf-shaped fruits, uniformly large and round. When ripe, they have a straw-yellow color, white flesh, solid fruit cores, easily separable segments, soft, juicy, light greenish-white seeds, with a rich sweetness and fragrance.
  
• Su Chi Dam Pomelo thrives well in the alluvial soil of the Lo and Chay rivers. This pomelo variety was identified by the people of Chi Dam commune from a fine pomelo tree owned by a farmer named Suu over 200 years ago. Hence, the variety was named after him. Su Chi Pomelo yields good quality fruits after 5 years of planting, with trees aged 15 producing 100 to 150 fruits per tree. Stored for 5 to 6 months, the fruits maintain excellent quality.

Perhaps what defines the essence of this pomelo variety is the pomelo fragrance, that indescribable sweet scent. During Tet (Lunar New Year) and the arrival of spring, having a Pomelo Doan Hung on the ancestral altar will add a special flavor to the family atmosphere. Don't forget to choose yourself a pomelo from the village of Chi or a Su pomelo in the summer to enjoy the sweet, refreshing taste that melts on your tongue and permeates your whole being.

Pink Pomelo from Lai Vung in Dong Thap Province has thin skin, juicy flesh, and a refreshing taste, making it a renowned brand far and wide. The peak harvest season coincides with the approach of Tet, blending with the golden hue of the new sunlight, with clusters of pomelos hanging gracefully amidst the breeze and sunshine.

Pink pomelo holds nutritional value like other segmented fruits, bearing early fruiting, high yields, with trees yielding substantial crops just after 2 years of planting. There's nothing quite like indulging in fruits right in the orchard, freely selecting the juiciest, most succulent ones. This aspect adds allure to tourists visiting this region for tourism.

Mother Nature is truly magnificent. She not only bestows upon Sapa a plethora of scenic wonders that enchant the heart, with a climate that remains cool and fresh all year round, but also provides fertile soil ideal for cultivating various fruit trees, among which the three-flowered plum stands out. This is a fruit greatly beloved and often chosen by tourists as gifts for friends and family.

Indeed, under such perfect conditions, Sapa boasts a variety of plums, such as the Three-Flowered Plum, Tả Van Plum, Red Plum, Tả Lý Plum, Yellow Plum... Yet, those who have sampled these plums often agree that the three-flowered plum is the most delicious and popular.

Compared to plums from China, the Three-Flowered Plum may not be as large, beautiful, or sweet. However, it carries the rich flavor of the Northwest mountainous region, unmatched by any other. When eaten, the plum typically has a sweet taste with a hint of mild sourness, a slightly bitter aftertaste, small yet juicy seeds. Especially, tourists need not worry about health safety, as the local people do not use growth-stimulating drugs for cultivation.

Aside from Sapa, plums are also grown in Bac Ha, a highland district located in the northeast of Lao Cai province. Similar to the misty town, this land offers favorable conditions for the growth of this tree, including a cool and fresh climate and beautiful natural scenery.

Coming to the land of Chi Lang around late May in the lunar calendar, everywhere you hear people talking about the specialty of Chi Lang pomelo. Especially, between July and August in the lunar calendar, the pomelos are in season. Each basket of pomelos is picked by locals in the mountains and brought down to the ground through a system of baskets for sale right along National Highway 1A.

The pomelo variety is known for its delicious taste, known only to connoisseurs because this specialty dish is not abundant. Only the pomelo orchards in Chi Lang district produce pomelos with the best flavor. Chi Lang pomelo is famous for its fragrance, large size, and sweet taste due to the characteristic soil and climate. Pomelo trees began to be cultivated in the 1960s on limestone mountain ranges. Now, Chi Lang district is promoting clean pomelo growing areas that meet VietGap and GlobalGap standards. Pomelos that are still firm when ripe will be harvested to be taken to the market.

The pomelo market gathers 'giant' pomelos weighing from 600 grams to 1 kg. These pomelos are rare, so you have to be lucky to see them with your own eyes. Most of the market vendors are Tày and Nùng ethnic people, so prices are not fluctuating or subject to bargaining. The reputation of Chi Lang pomelo attracts traders from all over the country to come and collect them. Pomelos are exported to provinces and cities nationwide and to China, where the Chinese market consumes up to 80% of the production.

At Hien Pagoda, there is an ancient longan tree, known locally as the ancestor longan tree, considered a symbol of the region. This longan tree has been erected with a commemorative plaque. Legend has it that a high-ranking official passed by during the ripe longan season. Upon tasting the fruit, he was enchanted by its fragrance and sweet flavor permeating through each succulent piece, captivating his soul. Recognizing its preciousness, he immediately presented it to the king. Word of the Hung Yen cage longan spread far and wide thereafter. In subsequent years, as autumn approached, locals would once again offer longans to the king, hence the name 'longan tribute to the king.' This esteemed delicacy gained fame not only domestically but also became a special commodity pursued by traders to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, in large quantities during the 16th and 17th centuries. Scholar Le Quy Don, after indulging in the longan tribute to the king, described it as 'each bite flooding the mouth, the tongue exuding a fragrance akin to celestial nectar.'

Longan blooms in spring, on days with light drizzles and cold. If the weather is warm and sunny, its delicate fragrance will gently waft, intoxicating those who encounter it. Although many places now cultivate longan, among regions with similar climatic conditions and soil, only Hung Yen cage longan boasts the renowned delightful flavor that no other locality can replicate. Perhaps, Hung Yen is blessed beyond measure, as the rare and exquisite taste of these longan trees has become a gift bestowed by nature upon this land.

In Sapa, peach trees are abundant, with almost every household having several trees planted around their premises. Especially among the H'Mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic groups in Sapa, when Tet comes, peach blossoms bloom vibrantly around the houses. Even if the houses are humble, the sight brings joy, warmth, and the essence of the approaching Tet festival. Sapa Peach Blossoms bear slightly small, crispy, and sweet fruit, particularly known for their delightful fragrance with a hint of tartness. For visitors from Hanoi accustomed to supermarket or market fruits, mostly imported from China throughout the year, experiencing a bite of this mountainous specialty from Sapa will enhance their appreciation of its distinctive deliciousness. The sensation of eating fresh, delicious, clean produce leaves a lasting impression, making them wish to pluck the entire orchard to savor slowly.

During summer, visitors not only enjoy the sight of white plum blossoms but also relish the delicious fresh Sapa peaches. Getting lost in the beautiful red ripe peach orchards amidst the ethereal mist feels like escaping to a fairyland, truly magnificent. When the peaches ripen, they are covered in a thin layer of translucent fuzz with specks of blood-red dots. Peaches are also a specialty fruit of Sapa, cultivated extensively by the Black H'mong on the mountain slopes, naturally blossoming and bearing fruit in the cold environment. Sapa peaches may be small in size, but when ripe, they exude a fragrant aroma, crispy sweetness with a tangy, refreshing taste that is unparalleled.

Honey tangerine is a renowned fruit grown for generations in the land of Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang province, with the earliest cultivation recorded in Phu Luu commune. Honey tangerines here possess a distinctive flavor, absorbing essence from the land, air, sunlight, and fresh water sources, resulting in a sweetness quite unlike tangerines from other regions. According to research, Ham Yen honey tangerines are rich in nutrients, containing over 10% sugar content, and vitamin C levels ranging from 40 to 90 mg/100 g of fresh tangerine. Ham Yen honey tangerines have been awarded the titles of “Vietnam Golden Agricultural Brand 2015” and “Top 10 most famous and valuable fruits in Vietnam” (according to the Institute of Vegetable Research). They are among the top 100 fruits with high nutritional value for human health.

The harvest season for tangerines is the most beautiful time of the year, with favorable weather conditions, bringing excitement to locals with a bountiful harvest. Consequently, there is an increasing trend of welcoming tourists to visit the tangerine hills. Tourists coming here not only enjoy the delicious tangerines right in the orchards and capture beautiful photos but also experience incredibly enjoyable memories.

As the name suggests, Cao Phong oranges originate from Cao Phong district in Hoa Binh province. It's not an exaggeration to say that this is the largest orange orchard in the entire Northern region. The area is renowned for many famous orange varieties such as Canh oranges, Xa Doai oranges, red-fleshed oranges, and more. When you visit this picturesque land of mountains and rivers, you must bring back some Cao Phong oranges as gifts.

18. Grapes from Ninh Thuan

Famous specialty grapes from Ninh Thuan are superior to other grape varieties due to the characteristics of the dry and arid land suitable for grape cultivation. Therefore, Ninh Thuan grapes are considered a rare and famous specialty in this dry and arid land. When visiting Ninh Thuan, the homeland of grapes and grape products with the characteristic sweet and sour taste of the dry region, it's essential to mention the clean grape products as one of Ninh Thuan's specialties. Ninh Thuan Shop is a store specializing in consignment and sale of clean specialty products from Ninh Thuan in the city of Phan Rang - Thap Cham.

Ninh Thuan grapes have a slightly sweet and sour taste, thin skin, and seeds. There are many different varieties, but among them, two famous types are red grapes and green grapes. They are one of the valuable nutritious fruits because they contain a high level of essential nutrients for the body such as easily absorbable glucose and fructose, vitamins, and minerals that boost the body's immunity.

In Ninh Thuan, the lush green grape gardens along the coast have long carried the distinct brand of this sunny and windy land. Ninh Thuan grapes mainly consist of two types: red and green grapes, with thin skin and juicy flesh. The grape capital annually supplies a large quantity of grapes to the market, but if you have the opportunity to visit Ninh Thuan, you should also try the sensation of enjoying the sweet and sour grapes straight from the vine.