Bustling lychee harvest

Clusters of ripe, plump lychees signal the approaching bountiful harvest season. On the hillsides where the lychees are at their peak ripeness, Mr. Tran Duc Hanh - one of the local exemplary farmers - is busy preparing to harvest the early lychees with the hope of a successful season in terms of both yield and value.

With a radiant smile and eyes full of pride, Mr. Hanh shared: “This year the weather has been somewhat harsh, with a prolonged drought, but thanks to timely technical support from the district and province, we have overcome the difficulties. I estimate my orchard will yield about 10 tons of lychees, with beautiful, sweet, and refreshing fruit that meets export standards.” Mr. Hanh is not only a hardworking farmer but also a representative of hundreds of lychee-growing households, having the honor of speaking at the Tan Yen District Early-Ripening Lychee Consumption Promotion Conference 2025, held on May 23rd in Phuc Hoa commune.

In his speech, he conveyed his pride in Phuc Hoa commune – a hilly, mountainous area with a mix of terraced fields, where dry, high-lying land used to be a challenge for agricultural production. Since 1997, with the policy of eliminating mixed orchards and converting to fruit tree cultivation according to the VAC model (integrated farming system), the people of Phuc Hoa have boldly chosen lychee as their main crop. To date, the commune has developed more than 720 hectares of early-ripening lychee, of which 95% is the famous U Hong variety known for its rich sweetness and thick flesh. "Living with drought, but thanks to the government's attention, we have had the opportunity to change the crop structure and improve economic efficiency," Mr. Hanh emphasized.

This year's lychee harvest is a testament to the concerted efforts of the entire political system and the people of Bac Giang province in promoting the lychee brand. According to preliminary statistics, the total lychee cultivation area in the province is 29,700 hectares, with an estimated production of approximately 170,000 tons in 2025, of which early-ripening lychees account for 60,000 tons... The entire province is entering the harvest season with high expectations. In Tan Yen district alone, the lychee cultivation area exceeds 1,375 hectares, with an estimated production of 15,500 tons, an increase of 500 tons compared to last year.

Notably, 455 hectares of lychee orchards meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, along with 33 designated growing areas for export to demanding markets such as the US, EU, Japan, and Australia. Prior to this, the 2025 lychee crop in Bac Giang province faced numerous difficulties and challenges. For example, a prolonged drought lasting 7-8 months, coinciding with the flowering and fruiting stages, caused considerable anxiety among farmers. However, with close guidance from the provincial and district authorities and specialized agencies, farmers received technical instruction on drought mitigation, proper fertilizer and pesticide use. Farmers strictly adhered to the GlobalGAP process with 65 criteria, from keeping care logs and using clean water to ensuring safe quarantine periods. As a result, the lychees were not only delicious but also clean and safe for consumers.

Besides focusing on expanding the cultivated area, people also prioritize investing in the quality of lychee fruit, helping Bac Giang lychees build a reputation and brand in the international market. Since 2012, Phuc Hoa commune has been granted a geographical indication and trademark certificate for "Phuc Hoa Early Lychee" by the Intellectual Property Office. To date, Bac Giang lychees have been protected by trademarks in many countries, including China, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The product not only meets stringent food safety standards but also demonstrates a production process that ensures hygiene, quality, and ethical practices. According to Bui Quang Phat, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, production according to GlobalGAP standards not only improves the quality of lychees but also protects the environment, people's health, and builds consumer trust.

The 2025 Conference on Promoting the Consumption of Lychees and Key Agricultural Products, Characteristic Products, and OCOP Products of Bac Giang Province is an important event marking the continuous efforts in expanding the consumption market. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan The Tuan affirmed that the conference not only aims to promote the consumption of lychees but also serves as an opportunity to promote the image of the land and people of Bac Giang to people both domestically and internationally. At the conference, more than 30 memoranda of understanding and contracts for lychee consumption were signed, along with five cooperation agreements for the development of eco-tourism and community tourism. Central Retail Vietnam, a long-standing strategic partner, committed to bringing Bac Giang lychees into the GO!, Tops Market, and mini-go! supermarket systems; and also supporting exports to Thailand.

A representative from Central Retail emphasized that Bac Giang lychees are not just an agricultural product, but also a symbol of Vietnamese fruit with superior quality and clear traceability. As a logistics "bridge," Viettel Post also demonstrated a strong commitment. Viettel Post Chairman Nguyen Viet Dung shared: “We have designed optimized transportation routes, using refrigerated container trucks and applying preferential rates to ensure that lychees reach consumers in the shortest time and with the best quality. Our logistics system in Lang Son and central warehouses in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh are mobilized to serve exports, especially to China – a traditional market accounting for a large portion of our annual lychee production.”

The success of Bac Giang lychees lies not only in the quality of the fruit but also in the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders. Nguyen Duc Hung, Director of Toan Cau Global Food Import-Export Joint Stock Company, stated: "A tightly linked value chain, from certified raw material areas and safe production to professional harvesting, preservation, and consumption, is the key factor for lychees to reach a wider and more sustainable market. Because international consumers increasingly demand transparency and sustainability, Bac Giang lychees are meeting these requirements well through the application of traceability technology and production according to international standards."

However, to maintain and develop the lychee brand, Bac Giang needs to continue investing in infrastructure, especially irrigation systems and storage facilities. Mr. Tran Duc Hanh, representing lychee growers, proposed: “We hope the government will continue to support infrastructure upgrades, expand export zone codes, and maintain technical training programs for farmers.” With the support of the government, businesses, and people, the 2025 Bac Giang lychee harvest promises to continue conquering domestic and international markets.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ron-rang-thu-hoach-vai-thieu-post883558.html