Some typical fruits to discover in Vietnam

10 Typical Vietnamese Fruits to Know

• 1. Lychee
• 2. Jackfruit
• 3. Longan
• 4. Rambutan
• 5. Mangosteen
• 6. Durian
• 7. Pomelo
• 8. Custard Apple
• 9. Star Apple
• 10. Rose Apple

With their unique taste and appearance, Vietnamese fruits will transport you. Get ready for a cocktail of flavors, a true culinary journey! Let's discover together 10 typical Vietnamese fruits and citrus fruits. Don't miss our Vietnam flavors discovery tour to taste these delicious fruits!

1. Lychee

Originally from Northern Vietnam and Southern China, lychee is a fruit often enjoyed at the end of a meal. It grows in clusters like grapes and has a thin, reddish, rough skin that is very easy to peel. This delicious fruit with white, soft, and deliciously fragrant flesh can be found in all markets in the capital. Rich in water, it is both hydrating and refreshing, excellent for summer!

2. Jackfruit

Mainly cultivated in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, jackfruit is one of the largest fruits in the world, it can weigh several tens of kilograms! This fruit, which can be enjoyed raw or grilled, is a delight for the taste buds. Relatively difficult to peel, due to its thick skin covered with small spikes, it is generally sold ready to eat. Its flesh is fibrous and yellow-orange in color. As it ripens, the jackfruit becomes sweeter and sweeter, its taste is similar to mango or pineapple. Come and taste it by booking our alternative Mekong Delta discovery tour!

3. Longan

Longan or "dragon's eye" is a cousin of lychee and rambutan, very common in Vietnam. Its nickname comes from its appearance; its white and slightly translucent flesh reveals its black pit at its heart, resembling an eye. It is also a summer essential, its pulp being rich in water and quite sweet, similar to lychee. It can be consumed fresh or dried. Vietnamese people often enjoy longan alone with a cup of tea or in a cold sweet soup with lotus seeds.

4. Rambutan

Rambutan, also known as "hairy lychee," has an original appearance, often compared to a sea urchin, except that rambutan doesn't sting! Under its thick, generally red skin covered with soft green "hairs," the white flesh of the rambutan is delicately sweet and slightly acidic at the same time. It is as delicious as it is colorful! Vietnamese people love rambutan as a healthy and refreshing snack.

5. Mangosteen

Mangosteen is easily one of the most exotic fruits you will have the opportunity to taste in Vietnam, and one of the best! In the past, this fruit was a noble fruit in Vietnam, offered only to the royal family. Round in shape and protected by a thick, easy-to-remove purple rind, the fruit separates inside into several segments, like a clementine. Its delicate, juicy, sweet, and acidic white flesh will delight your taste buds! In Vietnam, mangosteen is enjoyed alone or in a delicious Southern salad. In season, it is easily found in all Vietnamese markets.

6. Durian

Nicknamed the "king of fruits" in Southeast Asia, durian is easily recognizable by its imposing shape and weight, as well as its thorny shell. Highly appreciated by Vietnamese people, durian, however, leaves travelers more doubtful. It looks and tastes like nothing else in the world. Don't let its somewhat unpleasant smell deter you and let yourself be surprised by its original and delicious taste at the same time!

7. Pomelo

Weighing several kilograms, pomelo is the largest of the citrus fruits. Very common in Vietnam, it is like the giant cousin of grapefruit but with a milder taste. Its thick green skin contains a fragrant pulp with a pleasant and slightly juicy texture. You can find it most of the year in Vietnam, and displayed on special occasions. It is also a popular ingredient in Vietnamese recipes, such as shrimp and thinly sliced pork salad with pomelo.

8. Custard Apple

With an appearance similar to an artichoke, the custard apple is covered with scales covering a white and deliciously sweet flesh. To enjoy it, open the fruit and taste the flesh around the seeds. You will not be disappointed by its more than succulent taste that almost resembles a pear! There are many types of custard apple, but the most common in Vietnam is the "coriace" cultivated in the Bà Den mountain, Tây Ninh province.

9. Star Apple

The Vietnamese name for the star apple translates to "mother's milk" and is linked to an old folk tale. Round in shape, it is about the size of an orange, with purple or green skin. Its pulp is milky, slightly sticky, and sweet when ripe. There are two ways to enjoy it: you can cut it in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon; or you can press and roll it to release the juice inside, then poke a hole in the bottom to suck out the milky juice.

10. Rose Apple

The rose apple is another fruit very frequently found in Vietnam. Ranging from pale yellow to dark red, its thin, white flesh has the consistency of a crisp apple and can have the scent of a rose, hence the fruit's name. It can be eaten raw or used to prepare fragrant liqueurs.