Vietnamese Fruits You Should Try When in Vietnam (Part 1)

One of the great delights when visiting any tropical country like Vietnam is that you get to try and taste different exotic fruits. As usual, travelers will stay with the common fruits, but it would be adventurous to explore some of the more unusual Vietnamese fruits.

Vietnames Fuits at a local market

More than half of the Vietnamese fruit comes from the Mekong Delta, hence the distinctive tropical characteristics. Fruits coming from colder climates are usually harvested from Dalat and other mountainous areas in the Central and Northern regions. Since fruits in Vietnam are abundant and fairly cheap, the Vietnamese are very creative when it comes to enjoying nature's delicacy. Some prefer enjoying the fresh taste as it is, and some like to dip the sour or unripe ones in chilly and salt or salt and pepper. Aside from healthy smoothies and juices, Vietnamese fruits can also be made into savory main dishes, tea, jam, or even alcohol!

Vietnamese Fruits You Should Try When in Vietnam (Part 1)

Rambutan

Vietnamese name is "Chôm Chôm"

Often grown together in a bundle, the exterior colors of the rambutans vary from red, yellow, or yellow-orange. As a native fruit to tropical countries, the outer spines of the rambutans are often referred to as “messy hair.” Its flesh may stick a bit in the seed, some not. It is white, thick has a good fragrance, and a little sour. In addition, a ripened rambutan season often lasts from June to August to harvest. This is one of the Vietnamese fruits you should try when in Vietnam.

Sweetsop/Custard Apple

Sweetsop and durian

Originating from the Americas, the custard apple is grown in many tropical countries. The bumpy green skin covers the white flesh and hard black pips. The taste is sweet and floral, promising a unique and satisfying mouthfeel. As a delicious fruit with a market price of around VND 60,000/kg, it is a good source of vitamins C and B.

Soursop

The fuit is favorites for young people

Soursop is not only known as a tropical fruit with a sweet and sour taste, but it is also a sort of nutrient involving a variety of valuable medicines. Therefore, it boosts the immune system and helps to prevent cancer.

Mangosteen

Look like a Cat Foot

The mangosteen is regarded as one of the most delicious fruits in the world. As a “superfruit,” it comes with a vast array of health benefits due to the richness of nutrients and antioxidants. The soft and sweet center has a sweet and acidic flavor that is balanced and beautifully wrapped in the outer purple skin. We recommend trying this fruit on your trip to Vietnam.

Longan

Longans and mangosteens

Despite the shiny, soft round brown peel, Longan has a fresh and fleshy pulp inside. The pulp is succulent, pure sweet, and has a special aroma. Every year, the farmers pick all ripened longans in July and August. This is one of the sweet tropical fruits to try.

Lychee

the beginning of summer

The lychee is one of the popular fruits in Vietnam, particularly at the beginning of summer. Its skin is dark red and easy to peel by hand. The juicy white center has a lot of vitamin C and natural sweetness; it can be served raw or made as a cool beverage by adding sugar syrup with other fruits like mango or dragon fruit.

Persimmon

Look like Tomatoes but is taste diffirent

The culinary uses of persimmons are abundant; they can be eaten fresh, dried, raw, or cooked. This fruit’s flesh ranges from firm to soft, but the texture is unique. With a golden yellow color and smooth outer skin, persimmon is packed with health-promoting benefits. Try to spot one of these on your trip to Vietnam in the local markets.

Jackfruit

The Food with sweet taste

Jackfruit is one of the most popular fruits in Vietnam. In spite of the spiky crust and the large shape, the sweet taste and the amazing smell often attract people who have a sweet tooth. Inside, there are lots of fleshy yellow knots covering all the seeds of the fruit when peeled. However, its latex is sticky, so remember to use a towel or glove to separate the outer of the fruit and take the knots out. Moreover, jackfruits also abound in many kinds of nutrition.

Durian

A dish that few people dare to eat but extremely delicious

Known as the “stinky fruit,” the durian has a remarkable characteristic of tasting like heaven but smelling like hell. As a popular fruit in Vietnam, it is sweet, and the aroma is distinctive and often repulsive. The hard and spiny outer skin makes the durian instantly recognizable. For about VND 70,000/kg, durian is one of the Vietnamese fruits you should try when in Vietnam.

Avocado

Super healthy food

One of the most versatile fruits available, this fruit is best suited to Vietnam’s tropical climate. It is grown mostly in the Central and Southern provinces like. At around VND 40,000/kg, the eating choices are endless. Is a good source of antioxidants, potassium, and unsaturated fats.

Sapodilla

It is shaped like an egg with brown skin

This was truly delicious fruit is rarely seen in Western countries. It is shaped like an egg with a thin outer brown skin. Grown primarily in the North of Vietnam, this distinctive fruit tastes like a blend of apple, peach, and banana. Available all year round, you can find this fruit at the local markets for VND 30,000 - 40,000/kg.

Guava

Famous fruit for all ages

Guava is famous in many parts of the world for its refreshing juice. But in Vietnam, you can enjoy guava raw by simply cutting it into small long pieces and serving it with salt and pepper. Many people in Vietnam eat the skin and the seed of guava as well. The white peach center has a slight fragrance and sour-sweetness that goes well with the salty taste. It is one of the most popular fruits in Vietnam that can be enjoyed as a healthy snack.

Papaya

Delicious with "Gỏi Đu Đủ"

The papaya's flesh is light yellow when ripened. There are a lot of black or brown seeds in the center of the fruit. Scoop out all the seeds, and you should be able to enjoy them fresh as desserts. Papaya is so popular and has essential nutrients for kids' and adults' diets because of its soft pulp. Furthermore, in Vietnam, green papaya can be used as a vegetable to make stew soup, pickles, and the delicious "Goi du du".

Java Apple

Very cheap price and easy to find in market

Java Apple is another refreshing choice for the summer. You may find two common types of java apples in Vietnam's markets: red/pink skin and green skin (the latter usually have a smaller size but taste sweeter). The java apple can be made into jam or added to drinks, but like other fruits in Vietnam, it is mostly eaten raw with salt and pepper.

Tamarind

One of the important spices in sour soup

This sour and sweet fruit is commonly used as a spice in Vietnamese cooking to make a sour-tasting soup and a special dipping sauce for grilled dishes and fresh fruits. Its soft flesh can also be used to make Worcestershire sauce, jam, drink, or sprinkled with sugar to make candy.

Star Fruit

One of the important spices in sour soup and more

There are five segments to the fruit, so when cutting it, you may find it a bit like a five-pointed star. Its skin is thin, soft, shiny, and turns into dark yellow when ripens. The inside will turn from white and green to yellow when ripens and tastes a little sour. They are mostly used with cucumber as an ingredient in a fresh roll like the spring roll. When in Vietnam, don't forget to try these VnAgroExports.

Above is a summary of "Vietnamese Fruits You Should Try When in Vietnam (Part 1)" If you are interested in importing and exporting fruit-related products from Vietnam, you can learn more HERE. See you in the next part of the article.