Bustling lychee harvest

The plump bunches of ripe lychees signal the approaching bumper crop. On the lychee hill at its peak ripeness, Mr. Tran Duc Hanh - one of the typical local farmers is busy preparing to harvest the lychees early with the hope of a successful season in both output and value.

With a bright smile and proud eyes, Mr. Hanh shared: “This year the weather is somewhat harsh, with prolonged drought, but thanks to timely technical support from the district and the province, we have overcome the difficulties. It is estimated that my garden will yield about 10 tons of lychee, with beautiful quality, sweet, meeting export standards”. Mr. Hanh is not only a hard-working farmer but also a representative of hundreds of lychee growing households who were honored to speak at the Conference on Promoting the Consumption of Early-ripening Lychee in Tan Yen District in 2025, which took place on May 23 in Phuc Hoa Commune.

In his speech, he conveyed his pride in Phuc Hoa - a midland commune with mountainous terrain interspersed with terraced fields, where high and dry land used to be a difficult problem for agricultural production. Since 1997, with the policy of eliminating mixed gardens and converting to fruit tree cultivation according to the VAC model, Phuc Hoa people have boldly chosen lychee as the main crop. To date, the commune has developed more than 720 hectares of early lychee, of which 95% are the famous U Hong lychee variety with a rich sweetness and thick flesh. "Living with drought, but thanks to the attention of the government, we have had the opportunity to change the crop structure and improve economic efficiency," Mr. Hanh emphasized.

This year's lychee season is a testament to the consensus of the entire political system and people of Bac Giang province in bringing the lychee brand far and wide. According to preliminary statistics, the total lychee area in the province is 29,700 hectares, with an estimated output of about 170,000 tons in 2025, of which early lychee accounts for 60,000 tons... The whole province is entering the harvest season with high expectations. In Tan Yen district alone, the lychee area is more than 1,375 hectares, with an estimated output of 15,500 tons, an increase of 500 tons compared to last year.

In particular, 455 hectares of lychee meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, along with 33 growing area codes for export to demanding markets such as the US, EU, Japan and Australia. Previously, the 2025 lychee crop in Bac Giang province was seen to face many difficulties and challenges. Typically, the drought lasting 7-8 months, right at the stage when lychee trees flower and bear fruit, made many gardeners worried. However, with close guidance from the provincial and district authorities and specialized agencies, people have been instructed on drought prevention techniques, using fertilizers and pesticides according to standards. Farmers strictly follow the GlobalGAP process with 65 criteria, from keeping a care diary, using clean water to ensuring a safe quarantine period. Thanks to that, lychee fruit is not only delicious but also clean and safe for consumers.

In addition to focusing on developing the growing area, people also focus on investing in the quality of lychee, helping Bac Giang lychee build its reputation and brand in the international market. Since 2012, Phuc Hoa commune has been granted a certificate of geographical indication and the brand "Phuc Hoa Early Lychee" by the Intellectual Property Office. To date, Bac Giang lychee has been protected by trademarks in many countries, including China, the US, Japan and Australia. The product not only meets strict food safety standards but also shows that the production process ensures standards of hygiene and safety, quality and ethics in production. According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Bui Quang Phat, production according to GlobalGAP not only improves the quality of lychee but also protects the environment, people's health and creates trust for consumers.

The Conference on Promoting the Consumption of Lychee and Key Agricultural Products, Specialties, and OCOP Products of Bac Giang Province in 2025 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 lychee but also is an opportunity to promote the image of the land and people of Bac Giang to people at home and abroad. At the conference, more than 30 memorandums of understanding and contracts for lychee consumption were signed along with five minutes of cooperation in developing eco-tourism and community. Central Retail Vietnam, a long-term strategic partner, committed to bringing Bac Giang lychee to the GO!, Tops Market and mini go! supermarket systems; and at the same time supporting exports to Thailand.

Central Retail representative emphasized: Bac Giang lychee is not only an agricultural product but also a symbol of Vietnamese fruit with outstanding quality and clear traceability. As a logistics "bridge", Viettel Post also shows a strong commitment. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viettel Post Nguyen Viet Dung shared: "We have designed optimal transportation routes, used refrigerated containers and applied preferential rates to ensure that lychee reaches consumers in the shortest time, with the best quality. The logistics system in Lang Son and central warehouses in Bac Giang - Bac Ninh are mobilized to serve exports, especially to China - a traditional market that accounts for the majority of annual lychee output".

The success of Bac Giang lychee products is not only due to the quality of the lychee but also due to the synchronous coordination between the parties involved. Director of Global Food Import-Export Joint Stock Company Nguyen Duc Hung commented: A closely linked value chain from standard raw material areas, safe production to professional harvesting, preservation and consumption is the key factor for lychees to go far and last. Because international consumers increasingly demand transparency and sustainability, Bac Giang lychees are meeting this requirement 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, representative of lychee growers, suggested: “We hope the government will continue to support upgrading infrastructure, expanding export area codes and maintaining technical training programs for farmers”. With the support of the government, businesses and people, Bac Giang’s lychee crop in 2025 promises to continue to conquer domestic and foreign markets.

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