The images of large litchis have appeared on social networks, triggering a "giant litchi rush". Consumers said the super-litchi, grown in Hung Yen, is called ‘vai trung’, or egg-shaped litchi.

The egg-shaped litchis are expensive compared with other species. Farmers sell the litchis at their orchard at VND60,000-100,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the retail prices are two times higher.

In HCM City and Binh Duong, Hung Yen’s first-class egg-shaped litchis are retailing at VND230,000-240,000 per kilogram. The products are cheaper in Hanoi, which is nearer Hung Yen than HCM City, at VND185,000-190,000 per kilogram.

On social networks, housewives urge each other to buy the giant litchis soon as the specialty litchis are nearly selling out. Local people have warned that they don’t have much litchi to sell, because output this year is lower than last year.

Egg-shaped litchis appeared in the market many years ago. However, recently, thanks to better cultivation techniques, Hung Yen’s egg-shared litchi output is higher and the litchis are bigger. Therefore, giant litchis have caught more attention from the public.

Farmers said egg-shaped litchis originate from Phan Sao Nam commune in Phu Cu district in Hung Yen province. Later, the litchi variety was grown in neighboring communes as well. The litchi has become a famous specialty of Hung Yen which brings high profits to local farmers.

The litchi is called ‘egg-shaped’ because when it ripens, it becomes as big as a poultry egg, and one kilogram consists of 18 litchis. There is even bigger size, 12-13 litchis per one kilogram. For normal litchis, one kilogram consists of 28-30 litchis.

According to Hung Yen Newspaper, local egg-shaped litchis are called by locals as ‘vai ong Diem’ (Diem’s litchis) to commemorate Nguyen Van Diem, a farmer in Ba Dong hamlet in Phan Sao Nam commune, who first grew litchis on the land.

According to Nguyen Van Vi, 60, Diem’s grandchild, the egg-shaped litchi tree of his family was grown by Diem at the entrance door 150 years ago. The tree is suited to the soil, produces big litchis with a sweet taste different from other litchi varieties. From the old tree, Diem’s grandchildren have created more and grown the fruit trees at their homes.

Local farmers said they begin harvesting egg-shared litchis in early May. One litchi tree can produce 300-400 kilograms each crop. One hectare of egg-shaped litchis, with higher quality than other varieties, can bring turnover of VND500 million a year.

Hung Yen egg litchi was granted trademark certification by the National Intellectual Property Office in 2020.

Hanh Nguyen