The Mekong delta province of Bac Lieu boasts vast longan orchards, which data back over a century and have recently become an eco-tourist spot attraction.
Covering 230 hectares in Hiep Thanh and Vinh Trach Dong communes in the town of Bac Lieu, the province's longan orchards are regarded as the most special orchard area in the Mekong delta and the pride of the local people.
The specialty of the orchards is the longan variety called Subic (scientifically named Netalium Longan Lullon). Originating in China, it was introduced to Bac Lieu in the 19th century by Truong Hung. The fruit offers thin and lightly brown skin, and a thick and fragrant pulp.
A 3-ha farm belonging to Truong Kiet, the third grandson of Truong Hung, is the largest in Hiep Thanh commune. Almost all longan trees in Kiet's orchard are 100 years old. There is even an "ancestor" tree, which is a metre in diameter.
Subic longans have for many years been a source of income for the local. These unique fruits bring Kiet's family over 50 million VND per crop.
In recent years, degeneration of the old longan variety, harmful insects and extraordinary changes in the weather have caused a dramatic decline in longan production.
Many longan growers in Bac Lieu looked for more stable and lucrative fruit-trees, destroying their longan plantations.
However, Kiet's family and 15 others in the two communes sought another way. They have combined conservation techniques with organised ecological tours. Everyday, these plantations welcome around 200 tourists. As a result, their income has steadily risen.
The People's Committee of Bac Lieu, in coordination with the provincial Department of Tourism, saw these farmers' initiative and developed a project to promote orchard tourism.
Director of the Bac Lieu Tourist Company, Huynh Quoc Dan, said, "The project will conserve old longan plantations and develop ecological and cultural tours. The living condition for local people will improve."
The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to grow other fruit-trees including orange, grapefruit, mango and custard-apples in old longan plantations and plans to upgrade internal roads in an effort to attract more tourists.
The department also plans to organise traditional cultural activities at the plantations.
