Hung Yen longan is famous for its distinctive fresh, delectable, and sweet flavour. (Source: dsb)

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hung Yen is now home to some 5,000 hectares of longan, around 1,000 hectares of which are under specialty varieties, mainly in Hung Yen city and the districts of An Thi, Kim Dong, Tien Lu, and Khoai Chau.

Local farmers are rushed off their feet for the harvest season.

Trinh Van Huu, a farmer in Hong Nam commune, Hung Yen city, said he expects to harvest 6 tonnes of specialty longan this year, with each kilogramme sold at 70,000 - 80,000 VND (2.78 - 3.18 USD).

Traders from cities, supermarkets and big farm produce stores have come to buy the staple although it fetches at a high price.

Tran Thi Bac, owner of the Ne Chau longan cooperative in Hong Nam commune, Hung Yen city, said she reaped a profit of some 80 million VND from selling 1 tonne of another specialty longan within one week. This variety is priced high, 100,000 - 120,000 VND per kg.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Van Trang said Hung Yen, boasting some 50 longan genetic resources, approved a project on preserving and developing specialty longan and lychee planting areas for the 2020 - 2025 period with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, the province will build a database for tracing its longan and lychee genetic resources by 2025, establish a zone for preserving ancient trees and high-quality ones, and set up a garden for protecting the resources. Meanwhile, its localities will be urged to shift from low-yield longan orchards to high-value ones, and expand the cultivation of specialty varieties.