Vietnamese Watermelon: A Guide to Varieties, Health Benefits, and Recipes

In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through the world of Vietnamese watermelons, exploring their different varieties, the legend of the Vietnamese watermelon, health benefits, delicious recipes, and how Vietnamese farmers grow these wonderful fruits.

The legend of the Vietnamese watermelon

Once upon a time, there was a man named Mai An Tiêm who was beloved by King Hung and adopted as his son. One day, due to a misunderstanding of An Tiêm’s words, the king became angry and exiled him to a deserted island.

On the island, An Tiêm and his wife built a house from bamboo and made clothes from dried grass. One day, An Tiêm saw a flock of birds dropping black seeds. He picked up the seeds, planted them in the sand, and thought, “If birds can eat this, so can people.” Soon, the seeds grew into a sprawling vine, which produced fruit with dark green skin, red flesh, black seeds, and a sweet, refreshing taste. An Tiêm and his wife planted these fruits all over the island.

When the fruit was ripe, An Tiêm carved his name into one of them and let it float out to sea, hoping the waves would carry it to the mainland. A local fisherman found the unusual fruit and brought it to the king. Realizing his mistake, the king welcomed An Tiêm and his wife back home.

The strange fruit was what we now call watermelon, or “dưa hấu” in Vietnamese.

Growing and harvesting Watermelons in Vietnam

In northern Vietnam, the cold winter weather makes it difficult for watermelons to grow. Therefore, there are two growing seasons each year in this region: one in spring, where seeds are planted at the end of February and harvested in May, and another in summer, where seeds are planted in June and harvested in August.

In central and southern Vietnam, the climate is ideal for growing watermelons, so they are cultivated throughout the year.

Typically, in Vietnam, harvesting begins 30 to 35 days after pollination. To ensure the watermelons are sweet and of good quality, farmers reduce or stop watering the plants 7 to 10 days before harvest, depending on the soil conditions. After that, they carefully cut and transport the watermelons, using straw to cushion them and prevent bruising.

Vietnam’s top watermelon-growing regions

In Vietnam, watermelons are cultivated across the entire country, thriving in several key regions. In the North, you’ll find major production areas in Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Vinh Phuc, and Phu Tho. Moving to the Central Coast, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen are the hotspots for watermelon farming. Down in the Mekong Delta, the provinces of Long An, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, and Tien Giang are particularly prominent for their watermelon production.

Watermelon growing conditions

Weather

Watermelons thrive in warm weather and require dry conditions with plenty of sunshine to produce quality fruit.

Soil

They grow best in well-drained soils such as sandy, sandy loam, or alluvial soils.

pH and temperature

The optimal pH range for soil is between 6.0 and 7.0, and the ideal temperature range is 25-30°C.

Day and night conditions

Cool nights and warm days are ideal as they help with the accumulation of sugars in the fruit, enhancing sweetness.

The different varieties of Vietnamese watermelon

Red-fleshed watermelon

Red-fleshed watermelons are the most popular variety in Vietnam for several reasons. First, the vibrant red color is highly favored in Vietnamese culture, symbolizing luck, prosperity, and happiness.

Additionally, this type of watermelon is well-suited to Vietnam’s natural conditions, making it easy to cultivate. The combination of cultural significance and suitability for local growing conditions has made red-fleshed watermelons a favorite among both farmers and consumers.

Yellow-fleshed watermelon

The reason some watermelons have yellow flesh is due to the pigments they contain. While red-fleshed watermelons are rich in lycopene, which gives them their red color, yellow-fleshed watermelons have less lycopene and more beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the pigment responsible for the yellow or orange color in these watermelons.

Seedless watermelon

Seedless watermelons aren’t completely seedless. They have fewer seeds than regular watermelons, and the seeds are less developed. You might still find some small, immature seeds in them. This happens because seedless watermelons are bred to have the fruit ripen faster than the seeds can mature. Once the watermelon is picked, the seeds stop developing.

Nutritional facts of watermelon

Watermelon is delicious and full of essential nutrients with many health benefits. Here’s a look at its nutritional profile:

Water content: Watermelon is aptly named, as it’s composed of around 91% water, making it an excellent choice for staying hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.

Vitamins and minerals: This juicy fruit is a good source of vitamins A, C, and B5, as well as potassium, and copper.

High citrulline and lycopene: Watermelon is rich in citrulline and lycopene. Citrulline helps lower blood pressure, while lycopene, which gives watermelon its red color, is a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health and boosts vitamin A production.

Low in Calories and Fat: Despite its sweet flavor, watermelon is relatively low in calories and contains no fat.

Health benefits of watermelon

Supports heart health: Watermelon is rich in citrulline, an amino acid that can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Boosts immune function: With its high vitamin C content, watermelon can help strengthen the immune system and protect against infections.

Aids hydration: As mentioned earlier, watermelon’s high water content makes it an excellent choice for staying hydrated, especially during hot weather or physical activity.

Supports muscle recovery: Watermelon is a good source of citrulline, an amino acid that can help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery after exercise.

Exploring Vietnamese watermelon recipes

We’re excited to bring you some easy and refreshing watermelon recipes that anyone can make.

Watermelon smoothie

Ingredients:

100g watermelon

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon sugar

Ice cubes

Instructions:

Step 1: Start by peeling the watermelon, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into small pieces.

Step 2: Place 100g of the chopped watermelon into a blender. Add 2 teaspoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and a few ice cubes.

Step 3: Blend everything for 3-5 minutes until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more ice or a splash of water and blend again.

Step 4: Pour the watermelon smoothie into a glass and enjoy!

Watermelon carrot juice

Ingredients:

1/4 watermelon

1 carrot

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup of ice

Instructions:

Step 1: Peel 1/4 of a watermelon, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into pieces.

Step 2: Peel the carrot and cut it into small pieces.

Step 3: Juice the watermelon and carrot together, then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Step 4: Pour the juice over ice and enjoy!

Roasted watermelon seeds (hạt dưa)

Roasted watermelon seeds (hạt dưa) are an essential snack during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết). They are often served to guests or enjoyed by family members throughout the holiday, symbolizing luck and prosperity for the new year.

Carved watermelons for the Lunar New Year

In Vietnam, during the Lunar New Year, it’s a tradition to buy watermelons with intricate carvings of letters or symbols to place on the ancestral altar. For Vietnamese people, these specially carved watermelons symbolize prosperity and luck for the coming year.

How to pick a ripe Vietnamese watermelon

Check the stem

Look for a dried, curly stem. A green or moist stem indicates the watermelon may not be fully ripe.

Examine the filed spot

The field spot is the large, creamy yellow area where the watermelon rested on the ground. A deep yellow spot suggests ripeness and sweetness, while a white spot might mean it’s not as ripe.

Inspect the color

Choose a watermelon with a dark green color and a strong, consistent stripe pattern. This indicates a ripe fruit.

Tap the watermelon

When you tap a ripe watermelon with your hand or fist, it should make a deep sound.

Choose the heaviest one

If the melons are similar in size, pick the heaviest one. It’s likely to be juicier.