Vietnamese Exotic Fruits: Must-Try List

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Vietnam is one of the largest suppliers of exotic fruits in the world, so it impresses with their incredible variety and quantity. The abundance of fruits at the local markets can easily consufe. If you want to try-out something special, make sure you’ve chosen the right season for visiting.

Here is the list of must-try exotic Vietnamese fruits; learn more about seasonal fruits, such as popular jackfruit and longan, prices and more.

What fruits to try in Vietnam

Exotic Fruits in Vietnam to Try

Vietnam is known as a major exporter of mangoes, so this fruit can be easily found in the supermarkets in many countries. But there are also other fruit species that are considered exotic and can be either difficult to find or they are very pricey.

Longan in Vietnam

Longan is considered as one of the most exotic fruits in Vietnam, that is sold in local markets during all summer – from June to August. This is a bunch of small fruits of light brown color with an inedible stone in the middle. They are very juicy, the flesh is almost transparent, and the taste is even difficult to describe – it is something between melon and grapes.

Fruit in Vietnam - longan
Vietnamese longan

Really unusual, very tasty and it is best to eat freshly picked fruits, just the same as they are sold in local markets – longan is a must-try fruits in Vietnam. Choose ripe longans to enjoy them right on the spot, and if you want to bring them home, choose those with some sourness – these are not ripe yet and the chances that you can easily transport them are high enough.

By the way, as for the export of fruits from Vietnam, longan is one of the permitted fruit species you can take back home with you. And in general, durian, coconuts and, watermelons are banned.

Unusual fruits of Vietnam - longan

Exotic Vietnamese Fruit – Durian

Although it has specific smell, you need to eat it very quickly. The durian season in Vietnam is long enough – from May to November, so you’ll have the opportunity to check if it really looks like fruit and berry yogurt, as they say.

The secret to choosing the best durian is by smelling its tail. The worse it smells, the tastier it will be. Durian is also tested in Vietnam by tapping with a stick – the sound should be gurgling.

The famous Vietnamese fruit Durian
Durian fruit

Jackfruit in Vietnam

Jackfruit is very popular Vietnamese fruit you should try during your visit to this country. Jackfruit is very sweet and large fruit, depending on the degree of its maturity.

If you want to describe the taste of jackfruit, it is more like a cross between melon, watermelon and bananas. If you want to try jackfruit in Vietnam, you need to visit the country in the period between March to June.

Vietnamese fruit Jackfruit
Ripe jackfruit (left)

Fruit Season in Vietnam

In fact, the fruit season in Vietnam lasts all year round, so it’s better to start with the creation of the list of fruits you want to try. But no need to worry, at any time there is something to feast on. To enjoy the delicious jackfruit, plan your trip to Vietnam in the period from March to June.

Papaya and passion fruit, citron and pitaya or pitahaya, guava and tamarind – you can try everything. If you want to save money, you need to buy Vietnamese seasonal fruits – they are always cheaper by almost half of their cost in the off-season.

What fruits can be exported from Vietnam
passion fruit

How many fruits can be exported from Vietnam

Naturally, you always want to grab something delicious to go with you. In addition to those listed, there are no restrictions on the export of fruits, so you can take anything you want. How much? About five to seven kilos, if we are talking about hand luggage.

Moreover, each fruit must be wrapped in paper and put in a special plastic box or basket, which are purchased in advance. According to the legislation, there are no restrictions on how much fruit can be exported from Vietnam. A general recommendation is that it’a better to buy that are slightly unripe.

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