With its thick, hard purple skin and translucent, chewy yellow flesh, durian longan has captivated many visitors at the "On the Wharf, Under the Boat" Fruit Week 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Chau, owner of Tam Ngoc Garden Fruits, this longan variety was imported as seedlings from Thailand by an acquaintance and is being trial cultivated in Ben Tre. As the trees are newly introduced, harvest yields remain very limited.

"For this period, I only have about 20 kg to distribute between two display locations. It is primarily brought for visitors to experience, as it is almost unavailable on the market," Ms. Chau stated.

She explained that the price exceeding two million VND per kg is primarily due to high initial seedling import costs and limited supply, as the trees are still in the trial cultivation phase in Vietnam.

Durian longan is sold at the "On the Wharf, Under the Boat" Fruit Week 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thi Ha.

Unlike common longan varieties, durian longan has thick, hard skin, which extends its shelf life. This fruit retains the characteristic sweetness of longan but boasts a distinct aroma, subtly reminiscent of durian. The durian flavor is not overpowering; it appears gently in the aftertaste. According to Ms. Chau, this unique combination of appearance and flavor has drawn many visitors to her stall, prompting them to inquire about purchases and place pre-orders on the very first day of sales.

Beyond durian longan, several other unique fruits have also garnered significant consumer interest.

At the festival, banana mango – a mango variety shaped like a banana, cultivated in Nha Trang – was introduced to visitors for the first time. This fruit offers a sweet and sour taste, with a slightly powdery texture, and sells for approximately 40,000 VND per kg.

Another product that piqued visitors' curiosity was the South American monstera fruit, grown in Da Lat. Each fruit weighs approximately 250 grams and costs 300,000 VND. According to the vendor, when ripe, the fruit's segments separate naturally, revealing the edible flesh inside, which can be eaten similarly to soursop.

Monstera fruit grown in Da Lat, weighing 250-300 grams, costs 250,000 VND per fruit. Photo: Thi Ha.

According to vendors, the common characteristic of these unique fruits is their low yield, as only a few gardeners in the Mekong Delta and Da Lat have recently begun trial cultivation. Meanwhile, consumer demand for new experiences is growing, especially for products appearing on the market for the first time.

While some unique fruits are sold for hundreds of thousands to millions of VND per kg, many regional specialties at the event are affordably priced. Waxy avocado sells for approximately 25,000 VND per kg, about 30% lower than prices at traditional stores and markets. Rambutan and mangosteen range from 20,000-60,000 VND per kg, while Ri6 durian is priced at about 50,000 VND per kg.

Vendors stated that this year marks one of the most attractive pricing periods for specialty fruits, thanks to abundant supply and direct sales from numerous gardeners and cooperatives, which reduces intermediary costs.

The "On the Wharf, Under the Boat" Fruit Week 2026 takes place from 12-19/6, bringing together over 230 stalls from businesses, cooperatives, gardeners, and production facilities from Ho Chi Minh City and various localities in the Mekong Delta and Southeast regions. The fruit section alone features about 80 stalls showcasing seasonal fresh fruits, fruit-processed products, and regional specialties.

Thi Ha