(TITC) – When speaking of Hung Yen, many people immediately recall its famous specialty Hung Yen longan. While this traditional variety once dominated local orchards, its unstable yield and lower economic efficiency have led farmers to shift toward new, more sustainable longan varieties. Among them, Mien Thiet late-season longan has emerged as a signature product, contributing strongly to the revitalization of Hung Yen’s fruit-growing reputation.
Mien Thiet late-season longan is well-known for its large, bright yellow fruit – only 50 to 70 fruits per kilogram. The thick skin, clear protruding veins, and low cracking rate make it ideal for both fresh consumption and transportation. The flesh is fragrant, sweet, and refreshing. Most importantly, this variety produces high and stable yields, with a significantly later harvest season than traditional longans. Ripening from early September to mid-October, Mien Thiet longan allows farmers to harvest gradually and sell at higher market prices while avoiding peak-season competition. Its outstanding flowering and fruit-setting rates have made it one of the most reliable longan varieties in northern Vietnam.
In 2014, growers in Ham Tu commune, Khoai Chau district, established the Mien Thiet Longan Cooperative, marking a major step toward developing longan production under VietGAP standards. Their shared goal was to bring Hung Yen’s premium longans to consumers nationwide and expand into international markets. A milestone achievement came in 2017, when Hung Yen longan was officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) certification, strengthening its brand identity and protecting the product’s reputation.
Continuing this momentum, Mien Thiet late-season longan was recognized in 2018 as a 4-star OCOP product, showcasing its exceptional quality and market potential. Thanks to generations of cultivation experience, adherence to VietGAP standards, and the superior characteristics of the late-season variety, Mien Thiet longan has successfully reached numerous markets including China, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, as well as highly demanding destinations such as the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Beyond selling fresh fruit to traders, local households have creatively expanded into agri-tourism, offering visitors the chance to explore and experience lush longan orchards firsthand. This combination of fruit production and tourism not only increases farmers’ income but also enhances the visibility of Hung Yen longan among domestic and international travelers.
During harvest season, Mien Thiet longan gardens attract crowds of visitors who come to enjoy the rows of heavy fruit clusters and the cool, refreshing air of the orchards. The most exciting activity is picking and tasting the ripe longans directly from the trees – an experience many families and young travelers particularly love. Garden owners are warm and welcoming, offering fruit tasting and on-site weighing and selling, all without charging any entrance fee.
Throughout the harvest period, gardens are open daily from 8:00 to 18:00. Besides fresh longans, visitors can explore a wide range of local specialties made from longan such as dried longan (long nhãn), longan honey, and lotus-wrapped dried longan – all perfect gifts representing the essence of Hung Yen.
The growing popularity of Mien Thiet longan agri-tourism showcases Hung Yen’s efforts to diversify its tourism offerings, connect agriculture with experiential travel, and create memorable encounters with local culture and people. This model not only elevates the value of Hung Yen’s specialty fruit but also contributes to sustainable rural tourism development in the Red River Delta region.
Tourism Information Technology Center
