Ninh Thuan province, now part of Khanh Hoa, is famous for its laden grapevines and is known as Vietnam's "Grape Country". But now, in Bac Ninh, instead of monoculture farming, residents have diversified their crops to include grapes.

Grape varieties in Bac Ninh include Black Finger, Green Seedless, Black Pearl, and Crimson Seedless. Grapes are typically in season from April to October. The grapes are grown using VietGap-certified clean farming practices, mainly in communes and wards such as Thuan Thanh, Tien Du, Binh Son, and Van Mon.

Black Pearl grapes at Binh Son orchard. Photo: Lang Toan

Many orchards find wholesalers or secure buyers for their entire harvest. Some have developed on-site tourism, allowing visitors to tour the vineyards, experience grape picking, and purchase fresh produce.

Travel blogger Lang Van Toan, born in 2000, a Bac Ninh native, visited the Tu Quyen grape orchard in Bai Dan village, Binh Son commune, in the first week of July. Toan said the area has numerous orchards. The orchard Toan visited cultivates Green Seedless and Black Pearl grapes.

"Entry to the orchard is free; visitors just need to ask the owner's permission. They can choose and pick their own grapes, and the owner will weigh them and charge accordingly," Toan said. Visitors can also check in and take photos while picking grapes. Prices range from 100,000 to 120,000 VND per kg.

Ms. Quyen, the orchard owner, guides tourists on how to select ripe bunches and briefly describes the growing and harvesting process. The grapes are grown in net houses or greenhouses to control temperature, light, and humidity, protecting the vines from harsh weather and pests. Grapes harvested at their peak are sold wholesale for winemaking and other grape products.

"The grapes are sweet and clean, so visitors can eat them straight from the vine," Ms. Quyen said.

Lang Van Toan picking grapes in Bac Ninh. Photo: provided by interviewee

The Liem Anh grape orchard in Tien Du commune and the Tomi orchard in Van Mon commune are also open to visitors for check-ins and grape picking. Tourists can hand-pick fresh bunches and enjoy them on the spot.

The Tomi orchard owner stated that their grapes are cultivated and cared for according to standards, without chemicals, using organic fertilizers. Grapes in the orchard ripen in stages. The current batch is expected to be ready for harvest around the third week of July.

Tu Anh, a tourist who visited the orchard in the first week of July, said the owner recommended picking the dark purple grapes, as the light brown ones are often more tart. "I haven't had the chance to visit central Vietnam, but picking grapes here is satisfying. The grapes are seedless, the skin isn't bitter, and the fruit is juicy," Tu Anh added.

A spacious grape orchard at the Tomi farm. Photo: Tomi

Green Seedless grapes at the Tomi farm. Photo: Tomi

Children participate in grape picking. Photo: Tomi

Bac Ninh is 25 to 35 km from Hanoi, depending on the specific location. Visitors can easily travel by personal vehicle (motorbike or car). There are also several bus routes connecting Hanoi and the districts/communes of Bac Ninh.

Tam Anh