Tourists are delighted with the longan fruit in the Bay Nui region. Photo: THUY TIEN
From April to July each year, when the first rains of the season begin, the wild fruits of the Bay Nui region ripen. Along the rural roads, visitors can easily find simple stalls displaying a variety of fruits, from the golden yellow of peaches, the red of lychees (also known as forest lychees), to the purplish hues of wild rose apples, wild mangosteens, and more. Wild fruits have a rustic appearance but possess a special allure. Each type of fruit has its own unique flavor, sometimes tangy and sour, sometimes subtly sweet, and occasionally with a slight astringency, creating an unforgettable aftertaste for anyone who has tasted them.
Ms. Neang Kim, a resident of Nui Cam commune, quickly rearranged bunches of longan fruit while introducing the local specialty to tourists: "The fruit I sell here is guaranteed clean, delicious, and rare! Longan trees grow naturally in the forest, and when the season comes, we go and pick them to sell. Although we don't invest any capital, the work of picking them is very hard."
The fruit of the wild fig tree resembles a lychee, and some call it "forest lychee." Its red color sparks curiosity about its flavor in visitors. According to Ms. Kim, while wild fig trees are scattered throughout the Bay Nui region, especially on Co To Mountain, Dai Mountain, and Cam Mountain, finding trees with abundant fruit requires venturing deep into the forest. These wild trees take over 30 years to bear fruit, with a cycle of once every three years.
The longan fruit is small, about the size of a thumb, and turns a striking reddish-pink or bright red when ripe. Its thin skin encloses a white, translucent flesh with a sweet and slightly sour taste. Besides being eaten fresh, longan is also enjoyed with salt and chili, mixed with sugar and chili, or pickled in sugar for a unique flavor. Some vendors even press the longan to extract juice, a popular summer drink among tourists. The longan season typically lasts for about a month, from the end of April to mid-June according to the lunar calendar.
In the Bay Nui region, the rose apple not only resembles a grape in appearance, but this specialty fruit also attracts visitors with its unique sweet and sour taste, juiciness, and health benefits. In recent years, this fruit has been widely cultivated in the Bay Nui region, such as on Dai Nam Gieng Mountain, Ket Mountain, and Cam Mountain, bringing high income to the people in this mountainous area. According to Mr. Dang Van Si, a resident of Cam Mountain commune, previously, due to its low economic value, many households cut down the trees to plant other crops. However, in recent years, with increased market demand, people have propagated and planted rose apples. Besides selling them fresh, locals also make wine from them to sell to tourists, increasing the value of the rose apple.
Having had the opportunity to taste the rose apple on Mount Cam, Ms. Tran Thuy Trang, a resident of Can Tho City, was impressed by the fruit, which resembles grapes and is about the size of two fingertips. According to Ms. Trang, rose apples have a slightly astringent taste but a sweet and sour flavor. "Interestingly, even when ripe, if you want the rose apple to be delicious and sweet, you have to rub it thoroughly before eating," Ms. Trang shared.
The rambutan fruit is also a specialty of the Bay Nui region. This tree usually grows wild, but many Khmer people in the Bay Nui area also cultivate it on the dikes to increase their income. Rambutan fruit is also a local specialty, providing a considerable source of income for the local people. Along Provincial Road 943, there are many stalls selling ripe rambutan fruit. Many tourists stop to buy rambutan to enjoy its characteristic sweet and sour taste or to take home as gifts for relatives.
Each type of wild fruit from the Seven Mountains region is a unique highlight in the natural landscape, contributing to the distinct identity of An Giang province. For tourists, it's a novel experience. For the local people, it's an irreplaceable part of their memories.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mua-trai-cay-rung-bay-nui-a484982.html
