Vietnamese Fruits: The Best Varieties to Try in Vietnam
Vietnam is home to a diverse array of delicious and exotic fruits, each with its unique flavor and appeal. This guide highlights Vietnam’s top fruits, providing information about their Vietnamese names, appearances, flavor profiles, and how to enjoy them. Whether you’re a fruit lover or simply curious, this guide will introduce you to vibrant and flavorful Vietnamese fruits.
What will you discover in this article?
Welcome to a delightful journey through the vibrant world of Vietnamese fruits! In this article, we’ll explore some of the most delicious and exotic fruits that Vietnam offers.
At the end of this article, we’ve prepared a little quiz to test your knowledge about Vietnamese fruits. It’s a fun way to see how much you’ve learned and to challenge yourself. Plus, we’ve created a handy PDF guide with information about these incredible fruits. So, stay tuned and get ready to dive into the delicious world of Vietnamese produce!
Must-try Vietnamese fruits you don’t want to miss
1. Rambutan
Image: VITA MARKET
Overview
Vietnamese name: chôm chômShape and appearance: round or oval shape. Red or yellow skin with soft, hair-like spikes. Juicy, translucent fruit insideFlavor profile: sweet and mildly acidic with a soft, juicy textureHow to enjoy it: eat it fresh, or try it in ice creams, curries, cocktails, and fruit salads.Harvest season: The harvest season for rambutans in Vietnam typically falls between May and August.Vietnam’s rambutan is a tropical delight! Beneath its spiky red shell lies juicy, translucent white flesh that clings to a large seed. The texture is similar to lychee or longan, with a satisfying jelly-like feel. Easy to peel and mess-free, the flesh offers a burst of sweetness with a subtle hint of sourness. Each bite is juicy and refreshing, with a unique tropical aroma that truly sets it apart.
2. Dragon fruit
Image: VITA MARKET
Overview
Vietnamese name: thanh long Shape and appearance: oval or elliptical with vibrant pink or yellow skin and green, scale-like leaves. The inside is white or red with black seeds.Flavor profile: mildly sweet and tangy, with a refreshing and slightly crunchy texture.How to enjoy it: enjoy it fresh, in fruit salads, smoothies, desserts, or as juice.Harvest season: In Vietnam, dragon fruit is harvested 3-4 times a year, with the main harvest season stretching from April to October.Dragon fruit is an essential delicacy from Vietnam that you won’t want to miss. In Vietnam, it typically comes in varieties with vibrant red skin, while the flesh inside can range from white to red. Known for its mildly sweet taste, dragon fruit boasts tender flesh that’s easily scooped with a spoon.
3. Star apple
Overview
Vietnamese name: vú sữaShape and appearance: round with smooth, glossy skin ranging from green to purple. Inside, it has a milky, juicy pulp with dark seeds.Flavor profile: sweet, with a jelly-like texture, juicy flesh, and a pleasant fragrance.How to enjoy it: eat fresh by slicing it open and scooping out the flesh, or blend it into smoothies.Harvest season: starts around September and extends until April of the following year.The Vietnamese star apple or Vietnamese milk fruit is a fruit that Vietnamese people have used for centuries. The name “vú sữa” means “milk from the breast”, originating from the folklore tale “The Legend of The Vú Sữa Fruit”.
Vietnamese star apples are sweet, juicy, and fragrant, with a unique jelly-like texture. To eat a star apple, wash it thoroughly, cut it in half, remove the seeds, and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
4. Lychee
Image: VITA MARKET
Overview
Vietnamese name: vảiShape and appearance: round or oval with rough red skin and a translucent white interior with a single seed.Flavor profile: lychee is sweet with floral, citrus, and strawberry-like notes, and a hint of rose.How to enjoy it: enjoy lychees fresh, in drinks, smoothies, and desserts, or use them in jams and cakes.Harvest season: The lychee harvesting season in Vietnam is from May to July.The Vietnamese lychee is a gem among Vietnamese fruits, captivating with its unique flavor profile. Beneath its round shell lie three distinct layers: a protective husk, sweet and tender flesh that bursts with flavor, and a long seed nestled within. The lychee has a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle acidity, complemented by a delicate floral aroma.
5. Longan
Image: VITA MARKET
Overview
Vietnamese name: nhãnShape and appearance: round, with thin, brown, leathery skin and a translucent, white interior. The fruit contains a single, dark brown seed.Flavor profile: sweet, and musky, with a juicy texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, use in desserts, or make longan syrup and drinks.Harvest season: The longan harvest season in Vietnam usually runs from July to October.The Vietnamese longan fruit is quite similar to lychee in structure, consisting of three distinct layers: a thin outer shell, translucent flesh, and a central seed. Known for its high juiciness, it contains mostly water and boasts a natural sweetness. After consumption, it leaves a subtle musky aftertaste on the tongue.
Did you know?
In Vietnam, Hung Yen province is famous for growing delicious longans. Known as “Nhan Long Hung Yen”, these fruits have a reputation for their exceptional aroma and taste. Historically, they were presented to the king every year because of their quality.
Legend has it that in Hien Pagoda, located in Hung Yen province, there stood a mighty longan tree that produced an abundance of delectable fruits. One fateful day, a mandarin happened upon the temple during the longan season. Sampling the fruit, he was captivated by its exquisite sweetness, recognizing its value as a treasured delicacy. Delighted, he offered it to the king, forever establishing the longans from this tree as renowned throughout Vietnam.
6. Mango
Overview
Vietnamese name: xoàiShape and appearance: oval or kidney-shaped, with skin that changes from green to yellow or orange as it ripens. Inside, it’s vibrant yellow or orange.Flavor profile: sweet and juicy, with a tropical flavor that’s slightly tangy and floral.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to salads, blend into smoothies, use in desserts, or make into ice cream.Harvest season: The mango harvest season in Vietnam typically occurs from March to May and from October to December.Vietnamese mangoes come in a variety of flavors. However, one consistent trait is their delightful sweetness, coupled with a juicy texture and a subtle hint of sourness. If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting Vietnamese mangoes yet, they’re an absolute must-try.
7. Coconut
Image: Top Coco
Overview
Vietnamese name: dừaShape and appearance: a smooth, green, or brown outer layer, fibrous husk, and a hard, brown shell. Inside is white flesh and coconut water.Flavor profile: rich and sweet with a nutty taste, chewy flesh, and refreshing, sweet, and pure water.How to enjoy it: drink fresh coconut water, eat the flesh, use in cooking, and desserts, or blend it into smoothies.Harvest season: coconut trees in Vietnam produce fruit all year round, but the peak harvest season typically falls between December and February.Vietnamese coconuts are cultivated throughout Vietnam, with the largest concentration found in the Mekong Delta region, accounting for 80% of the country’s coconut farming area. Vietnamese coconut is renowned for its rich and sweet flavor, with a nutty taste, chewy flesh, and refreshing, sweet, and pure water.
8. Pomelo
Overview
Vietnamese name: bưởiShape and appearance: round to slightly pear-shaped, with thick, pale green to yellow skin. The interior ranges from pale yellow to pink.Flavor profile: juicy and refreshing, with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and a mild hint of bitterness.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to salads, use in desserts, or juice it for a refreshing drink.Harvest season: pomelo is harvested year-round, but the peak season runs from May to AugustVietnamese pomelos have a delightful combination of sweetness, tartness, and a hint of subtle bitterness. Resembling grapefruits but larger in size, pomelos feature thick rinds ranging from pale yellow to green. Inside, you’ll find juicy, segmented flesh bursting with flavor. With your first bite, you’ll enjoy a refreshing sweetness, followed by a tangy, slightly acidic tartness.
9. Guava
Overview
Vietnamese name: ổiShape and appearance: round or oval, with smooth green to yellow skin. The interior is white or pink with small, edible seeds.Flavor profile: sweet with a fragrant aroma and crisp, grainy texture, similar to a blend of pear and strawberry.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, blend into smoothies, or use in desserts and juices.Harvest season: guava in Vietnam is harvested year-round.Vietnamese guavas are among the best green Vietnamese fruits. They are typically round or oval with smooth skin that ranges from green to yellow. Inside, you’ll find white or pink flesh speckled with small, edible seeds. Their flavor is sweet, complemented by a fragrant aroma and a crisp, grainy texture. The taste is reminiscent of a delicious blend of pear and strawberry.
10. Papaya
Overview
Vietnamese name: đu đủShape and appearance: oval or pear-shaped, with skin that ripens from green to yellow or orange. The flesh is vibrant orange with small black seeds.Flavor profile: sweet and slightly tangy, with a smooth, juicy texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, blend it into smoothies, or use it in desserts.Harvest season: in Vietnam, papayas are harvested year-round.Vietnamese papayas are oval or pear-shaped with skin that transitions from green to a rich yellow or orange as it ripens. Inside, the vibrant orange flesh is dotted with small black seeds, offering a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. The texture is smooth and juicy, making it a refreshing treat.
11. Watermelon
Overview
Vietnamese name: dưa hấuShape and appearance: round or oval, with a thick, green rind that may have dark stripes. The interior is red or yellow, with black seeds scattered throughout.Flavor profile: juicy and sweet with a refreshing taste. Soft and watery, it’s highly hydrating.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, blend into smoothies, use in desserts, or enjoy as juice.Harvest season: Vietnam’s watermelon harvest is at its peak from May to August.Vietnamese watermelons are known for their juicy sweetness and refreshing flavor. Their tender, watery texture makes them an ideal hydrating snack.
In Vietnam, there’s a fascinating legend about the origins of the watermelon. About 4,000 years ago, during the reign of King Hùng, a prince named Mai An Tiêm was exiled to a deserted island by his father. On this island, he planted watermelon seeds that he found, which had been dropped by birds. These seeds grew into the first watermelons, marking the beginning of this beloved fruit.
12. Mangosteen
Overview
Vietnamese name: măng cụtShape and appearance: round, with thick, deep purple skin on the outside. Inside, the fruit has soft, white segments that are juicy and tender.Flavor profile: sweet and tangy, with a juicy, slightly fibrous texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, use in desserts, or blend into smoothies.Harvest season: In Vietnam, the mangosteen harvest season runs from April to July each year.Mangosteen is an eye-catching fruit with its deep purple skin. Inside, you’ll find soft, white segments that burst with a sweet and tangy flavor. The texture is juicy and slightly fibrous, making each bite a refreshing and unique experience.
13. Jackfruit
Overview
Vietnamese name: mítShape and appearance: large and spiky with green to yellow skin. Inside, it has yellow, fleshy segments and small seeds.Flavor profile: sweet flavor with hints of banana, apple, and mango, and a fibrous, rubbery texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, use in desserts, or blend into smoothies.Harvest season: in Vietnam, jackfruit starts to grow in mid-spring and fully ripens by late summer, usually between July and August.Vietnamese jackfruit offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Its flesh is meaty, providing a satisfying chewiness that’s unique. When ripe, the jackfruit is sweet and fragrant, devoid of any tartness or sourness. Its versatility in the kitchen is remarkable, offering cooks a wide range of possibilities to explore and create delicious dishes.
14. Durian
Overview
Vietnamese name: sầu riêngShape and appearance: Large, oval, with a spiky, green, or brown rind. The interior is creamy, yellow, and segmented.Flavor profile: Rich, sweet, with a custard-like texture. The taste is strong and distinctive.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to desserts, use in ice creams, or blend into smoothies.Harvest season: The main durian harvest season in Vietnam runs from March to July.In the vibrant world of Vietnamese fruits, durian is known for its creamy texture that melts in your mouth, offering a burst of sweetness with every bite. While its strong smell might be off-putting to some, don’t let that discourage you from experiencing the amazing flavors of this exotic fruit.
15. Avocado
Overview
Vietnamese name: bơShape and appearance: oval or pear-shaped, with rough, dark green to brown skin. The interior is creamy, pale green or yellow with a large seed in the center.Flavor profile: creamy and mildly nutty, with a buttery texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to salads, blend into smoothies, use in sandwiches, or make guacamole.Harvest season: In Vietnam, the avocado season runs from May to September each year.Vietnamese avocados come in a variety of shapes, but they generally have an oval or pear-like form with rough, dark green to brown skin. Inside, you’ll find a creamy, pale green or yellow flesh with a large seed in the center. The taste is smooth and mildly nutty, with a rich, buttery texture that makes it a delightful addition to many dishes.
16. Sành orange
Overview
Vietnamese name: cam sànhShape and appearance: round in shape, green skin with some pale yellow patches when ripe. The interior consists of juicy, orange segments.Flavor profile: mild fragrance, and sweet taste with a hint of sournessHow to enjoy it: eat fresh or make fresh juice.Harvest season: In Vietnam, Sành oranges are harvested year-round, with the peak season from December to MarchSành orange is a renowned variety of orange from Vietnam. These oranges are round in shape with green skin that develops pale yellow patches as they ripen. Inside, you’ll find juicy, orange segments that are not only refreshing but also emit a pleasant aroma. In Vietnam, sành orange is commonly enjoyed as fresh fruit or used to make juice. It’s also popular for its health benefits; many people eat it when they have a cold to boost their immune system and recover faster
17. Langsat
Overview
Vietnamese name: bòn bonShape and appearance: light brown skin when ripe. Inside, it has 5-6 translucent white segments, each with a single seed.Flavor profile: Sweet with a hint of sourness, offering a refreshing and unique taste.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, blend into smoothies.Harvest season: In Vietnam, Bon Bon fruits are usually picked during September and October annually.The Vietnamese Bon bon fruit, known as ‘bòn bon’ and in some regions as ‘lòn bon,’ is a tropical fruit. In Vietnam, the Bon Bon tree is mainly grown in mountainous areas and the midlands of Quang Nam province, with Tien Phuoc being considered the ‘capital’ of this plant.
Bon bon fruits offer a delightful combination of sweetness with subtle sourness, creating a unique and refreshing flavor.
In the past, Bon Bon fruit was also known by the name “Nam trân”. This name originated from a legend about King Gia Long.
Legend has it that during the Tay Son Rebellion, commonly known as the Vietnamese Civil War from 1771 to 1802, when the Tay Son troops attacked the capital city of Phu Xuan, Lord Nguyen Phuc Anh, pursued by the Tay Son forces, fled into the forests of Dai Loc, Quang Nam. In a state of hunger and thirst, he stumbled upon a wild fruit that helped him endure his hunger. After ascending to the throne and adopting the title Gia Long, he remembered the fruit that had saved him and decided to name it “Nam trân”, which means “the precious fruit of the South” in Vietnamese
18. Pineapple
Overview
Vietnamese name: dứaShape and appearance: cylindrical or oval, with rough, spiky green to yellow skin and a rosette of stiff leaves on top. The interior is bright yellow.Flavor profile: sweet and tangy, with a tropical, slightly acidic taste. The texture is juicy.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to fruit salads, blend into smoothies, use in desserts, or make pineapple juice.Harvest season: pineapples are harvested year-round in Vietnam, with peak season from February to JunePineapple is a fruit that’s very familiar to people in Vietnam. It is cylindrical or oval with rough, spiky green skin that turns yellow as it ripens, topped with a tuft of stiff leaves. Inside, you’ll find vibrant yellow flesh that’s juicy. Pineapple offers a delightful mix of sweetness and tanginess with a tropical, slightly acidic bite.
Besides enjoying it fresh, as juice, or in salads, Vietnamese people use pineapple in various dishes, such as Vietnamese pineapple and squid soup (canh thơm mực), canh thơm thịt bò (Vietnamese pineapple and beef soup), Vietnamese sweet and sour pork ribs with pineapple (sườn xào chua ngọt)…
19. Soursop
Overview
Vietnamese name: mãng cầu xiêm Shape and appearance: soursop is usually oval or heart-shaped, with dark green, spiky skin. Inside, the creamy white flesh surrounds small black seeds.Flavor profile: soursop tastes like a mix of strawberries, apples, and a touch of sour citrus, with a thick, creamy texture similar to a banana.How to enjoy it: you can eat it fresh, blend it into smoothies, or use it to make desserts like ice cream.Harvest season: soursop is available year-round in Vietnam, with the peak season typically from October through May of the following year.Soursop is widely cultivated in various provinces of the Mekong Delta region in Vietnam, particularly in Kien Giang, Hau Giang, and Tien Giang. This tropical fruit, loved for its unique flavor and potential health benefits, finds its way into a variety of delicious treats. Among these, soursop pulp tea has become a rising star in Vietnam’s beverage scene.
20. Banana
Overview
Vietnamese name: chuốiShape and appearance: elongated and curved, with smooth skin that ranges from green to yellow as it ripens. The flesh inside is creamy white.Flavor profile: sweet and slightly tangy, with a smooth, juicy texture.How to enjoy it: eat fresh, add to smoothies, make cakes, or banana ice cream.Harvest season: In Vietnam, bananas are harvested year-round.Ever been to the Vietnamese countryside? Chances are, you’d see banana trees in almost every backyard! Vietnamese bananas are super common and loved by everyone. There are some different varieties, each with its own yummy taste. And the best part? You can find them super cheap at any market!
Vietnamese Fruits: Fascinating Facts and Insights
Now that you’ve discovered various Vietnamese tropical fruit names, along with their appearances and flavors, let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of these tropical delights. There’s so much more to learn about the cultural significance of Vietnamese fruits.
National fruit of Vietnam
In Vietnam, there is no official designation for a national fruit. However, several fruits are beloved and integral to daily life, including bananas, guavas, watermelons, Vietnamese star apples, pomelos, dragon fruits, and lychees. Some of these fruits are not only popular for their flavors but also hold cultural significance for the Vietnamese people.
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in Vietnam, not just for their delicious flavor but also for their cultural significance. They are a must-have offering on altars during holidays and special occasions, symbolizing protection, peace, and family unity. For the Vietnamese, a bunch of bananas represents a hand, extended in prayer and hope to ancestors for blessings and togetherness.
The five-fruit tray during Lunar New Year in Vietnam
In Vietnam, during the Lunar New Year, every family prepares a special fruit tray called ‘mâm ngủ quả,’ which includes five different fruits. This tray is placed on the ancestral altar to honor loved ones and celebrate the new year. The Lunar New Year is a time for families to reunite and welcome the fresh start of the year. The five fruits chosen for the tray hold great significance, symbolizing wishes for peace and happiness in the year ahead.
The types of fruits used can vary across different regions of Vietnam, but every tray should feature fruits with harmonious colors.
In the North, a traditional five-fruit tray typically includes green bananas, a ripe pomelo (or Buddha’s hand fruit), persimmons, kumquats, and a pineapple. These fruits not only look vibrant together but also align with the Five Elements theory.
In the South, the tray often includes sugar apples, coconuts, papayas, mangos, and figs, which phonetically resemble the phrase “wishing for enough fortune” in Vietnamese.
Final thoughts
In this article, we’ve shared a comprehensive list of fruits in Vietnam. We hope you enjoyed this journey through the world of Vietnamese fruits as much as we did. Thank you for joining us, and we encourage you to explore these delicious varieties for yourself!
Now that you’ve had a chance to discover some of the most exotic fruits in Vietnam, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Are you ready to challenge yourself with a few fun fruit trivia questions? Let’s see how well you remember the unique characteristics and flavors of Vietnamese fruits. Dive into our quiz and find out if you’re a true fruit aficionado!
Below the game, you’ll find a PDF showcasing the best Vietnamese fruits. This Vietnam fruits list with pictures has been thoughtfully created by our team, complete with images and information about each fruit. If you’re interested in the best seasonal fruits in Vietnam, we also provide details on the seasons for each fruit. We invite you to download it and take a look—it’s completely free!
Vietnam Fruit Challenge Game
Are you ready to test your knowledge about Vietnamese fruits? Scroll down to start the Vietnam Fruit Challenge Game now and see how you score!
A guide to Vietnam’s top fruits
VivaVn Team created this PDF to give you an overview of Vietnam’s top fruits. Inside, you’ll find information on 19 Vietnamese fruits, including:
Vietnamese namesShape and appearanceFlavor profilesHow to enjoy them
Vietnamese Fruits FAQs: What You Want to Know
A: If you’re in Vietnam, you can find a variety of delicious Vietnamese fruits at almost any market or supermarket. They’re everywhere! But if you’re abroad, be sure to check out the Vietnam fruit market or Asian grocery stores.
© 2024 vivavn.com
© 2024 vivavn.com
Leave a Reply