The first-ever Thanh Ha litchi festival took place in the northern province of Hai Duong to promote the local specialty fruit.

The festival also aims to connect farmers with supermarkets and trade centres, and processing and export firms nationwide.

The festival offers an opportunity to honour the local specialty fruit, farmers as well as Vietnam’s agriculture-based economy.

In 2018, Hai Duong has about 10,500 ha of litchi, mostly in Thanh Ha district and Chi Linh town, which are expected to yield about 60,000 tonnes. Of the total amount, some 1,000 tonnes is qualified for export to the US, Australia and the EU.

An array of activities will be held during the festival, including tours to the ancient litchi tree in Thuy Lam village in Thanh Son commune, Thanh Ha district. Visitors can also try their hand at picking litchi in gardens in Thanh Ha district and Chi Linh town.

The Vietnam Association of Food Science and Technology granted a “trustful and safe food brand” certificate to Thanh Ha litchi in 2016. The same year, the ancient litchi tree in Thuy Lam village was recognised as the oldest of its kind in Vietnam.

VNA