Make the most of your next trip to Vietnam by discovering and tasting the delicious tropical fruits that grow abundantly throughout the country. A wonderful way to feast, excite your senses, and replenish your batteries with energy and vitamins.
Rambutan | Chôm Chôm
Rambutan is a quirky way to describe "messy hair," and it's as tasty as it is colorful. Their bright and hairy appearance conceals white translucent meat with a moderate sweet and tart flavor reminiscent of grapes. Rambutans are easy to find in the summer and even winter, as they are harvested twice a year.
Dragon Fruit | Thanh Long
Dragon fruit, which is a literal translation of its name, is commonly farmed in the Mekong Delta. Dragon fruit has an unusual appearance, with a thick fuschia rind and wispy green extensions on the outside. The flesh is white or purple on the inside, speckled with tiny seeds. While it has numerous health benefits, it lacks flavor and has an almost watery taste.
Mangosteen | Măng Cụt
Mangosteen is one of the most exotic fruits you'll find in Vietnam, and it's only available from May to August. Squeeze the fruit gently along the center to split the peel and carefully pull the shell apart. Take a fruit pod and pop it in your mouth to release the flavor! Keep an eye out for larger pods that may contain a seed.
Durian | Sầu Riêng
Durian is famous around the world for its pungent odour, which is so potent that it is banned from public transport in several nations. Because of the spikes and the odor, durian is tough, so don't be afraid to ask your vendor to carve off a piece for you. Durian is delicious in chè Thái, xôi su riêng (sticky rice with durian custard), and bánh pia, a puff pastry with a creamy durian filling.
Star Fruit | Khế
Star fruit is delicious, juicy, and a crowd favorite when it is ripe and golden. Because the trees bloom twice a year, the season might be unpredictable. The good news is that you can enjoy this acidic delicacy all year, though you'll have more success finding it in the Mekong Delta. Slice your star fruit horizontally to reveal star-shaped nibbles.
Star Apple | Vú sữa
Vietnamese name for star apple translates to "mother's milk," and it is associated with an old folktale. The spherical fruit is about the size of an orange, with tight, shiny skin in violet or green colors. There are two methods to try star apples like a local cut it in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon.
Longan | Nhãn Lồng
Longan is a popular snack in Vietnam and can be found in large bushels in the country's many street markets. The fruit, known as 'dragon's eye' in Vietnamese, is often compared to lychee, but it has a somewhat sweeter flavor and more meat. Vietnamese people frequently eat longan on its own with a cup of tea, or in a chilled sweet soup with lotus seeds.
Jackfruit | Mít
The most difficult fruit to open on our list, even tougher and messier than durian, is jackfruit. The skin is riddled with ridged pimples, and the flesh is sticky. Jackfruit fans appreciate separating the stringy meat by hand and savoring its sweet, delicate flavor. You can also try jackfruit in hoa quả dầm, which is a dish of crushed ice, coconut cream, and assorted fruits.
Rose apple | Quả Roi in the north, Quả Mận in the south
Rose apples have soft, watery and delicious flesh with a watery texture similar to a melon. This fruit can be found growing throughout the year in the south of Vietnam. The only resemblance this fruit has to an apple, despite its English name, is how it is eaten. You can eat it whole or cut it into quarters and dig in.
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