(photo: Thuy Dung/VOV Ho Chi Minh)

The floating fruit market draws the largest number of festival goers. More than 600 kinds of fruit are available here with prices 20% to 30% lower than in markets. Fruit iconic of the South can be found there such as An Phuoc plums, Chin Hoa durians, Xuong longans, Han Chau strawberries, Ba Ro green pomelos, Hoa Loc mangos, guava, and coconuts. Hong Lien is a tourist from Hanoi: “I’ve been to the southern region several times. But this is the first time I have visited the fruit festival. There are many delicious types of fruits from different regions.”

(photo: Thuy Dung/VOV Ho Chi Minh)

Over 1,000 tons of fruits from across Vietnam will be sold at the festival. The juicy delicious, large, and nicely shaped fruits have been carefully selected to ensure they meet food hygiene and safety standards. There are many cross-breed varieties from Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Huyen Nhu sells rambutans: “I can sell nearly 1 ton of rambutans on week days and 2 tons at the weekend. I’m very happy and so are my customers. They say the rambutans look good and are sold at lower prices than in markets. They bought a lot.”

(photo: Thuy Dung/VOV Ho Chi Minh)

Besides eating fruits, visitors love to see the wonderful fruit displays and explore the world of mushrooms, a collection of huge fruits and roots, and rare medicinal fruits. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Department, says 13 festivals have been held so far, promoting Vietnam’s specialties.

“We’ll have larger and more beautiful places to organize fruit festivals. Supermarkets and hotels have responded to the festival by selling more southern products,” Vu said.

The festival has honoured agricultural achievements and promoted the specialties of the southern fruit hub.