Limited Time Offer: A Taste of Paradise! Experience Vietnam's Irresistible Fresh Lychees in May & June
Xin chào! This is Meg from ít ít Vietnam.
Yesterday, while shopping at the supermarket, I involuntarily did a double-take.
"What?! Lychees are already on sale!"
Yes, the best season has arrived in Vietnam. Today, I'm going to talk about fresh lychees, which I excitedly recommend as a must-try if you visit Vietnam during this season.
1. A completely different "level" than Imported lychees
When you eat imported lychees, most are frozen. While those are certainly delicious, the "fresh" lychees you eat in Vietnam are, honestly, on a completely different level.
- Large and juicy: The moment you peel the skin, the juice overflows.
- Plump texture: A crisp texture unlike frozen ones.
- Noble aroma: The sweet fragrance that fills your mouth is truly the "queen of fruits"!
Once you experience this taste, you won't be able to go back to regular lychees.
2. Late April to May is your chance! "Fresh" lychees are only available now.
You can eat canned lychees all year round. If you go to a trendy milk tea shop or drink stand, you can always enjoy delicious "Lychee Tea / Trà vải (Cha Vai)".
However, you can only find unprocessed "fresh lychees" for a very short period, from late April to around May or June. If you're visiting Vietnam during this time, you're really lucky!
3. Where to buy them? Tips for finding lychees
During this season, you'll encounter lychees everywhere you walk in the city.
- Supermarkets: Sold in nets or packages, making them easy for tourists to buy.
- Markets: Piles of lychees are impressive! You can enjoy the lively atmosphere while shopping.
- Street vendors on bicycles: Old men and women selling lychees piled high on their bicycle racks. This is a quintessential Vietnamese scene!
4. On the branch is a sign of "freshness"! The Vietnamese way to choose.
Packaged lychees at the supermarket are convenient, but at markets and on the street, they are sold in a wild state, still heavily attached to the branch.
You might think, "Won't the branches just add weight and become trash...?" However, they aren't simply sold that way. Keeping them on the branch is the clever Vietnamese way to maintain freshness!
Once lychees are removed from their branch, they start to dry out quickly and lose their freshness. Keeping them on the branch until just before eating is the biggest secret to preserving their deliciousness. Be sure to get fresh ones with branches.
5. How to buy at the market? Aim for "0.5kg"!
When you're shopping at a Vietnamese market or roadside stall for the first time, you might wonder, "How do I order?" Lychees are generally sold by the "kg (kilogram)".
"1kg (Mot ky / Mot-kee)" is standard, but 1kg is actually quite a lot! If you want to enjoy a light snack during your trip, try saying "0.5kg (Nửa ký / Nua-kee)".
- 0.5kg guideline: This is roughly enough for 2 to 3 people to enjoy to their satisfaction.
- Ordering tip: Just make a "half" gesture with your finger while saying "0.5kg".
While packaged lychees at the supermarket are convenient, it's a fun and authentic Vietnamese experience to buy them in their wild state, still heavily attached to the branch, at a market or roadside stall! Buying them with branches is also recommended as it helps maintain freshness.
6. No knife needed! The best reason they're perfect for city strolls
The biggest reason lychees are highly recommended for tourists is that you don't need any tools!
While mangoes and watermelons are difficult to eat without a knife, lychees, fortunately, can be easily peeled with just your hands. Just press lightly on the bottom with your nail, and a smooth, white fruit will pop out.
The ease with which you can eat them anywhere, on the street or at your hotel, without worrying about etiquette, is another great appeal of lychees. Just be prepared for sticky hands from how delicious they are (lol).
✍️ Lastly: Savor the "season" of Vietnam
These jewel-like fresh lychees are only available this season. If you see them on the street, don't hesitate to pick some up. You're sure to think, "I'm so glad I came to Vietnam!"
After refreshing your throat with delicious lychees, please come and cool off at ít ít Việt Nam too ♡
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📍3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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🚶2 minutes walk from Ben Thanh Market
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📍567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
⏰10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚶Approx. 10 minutes walk from Hoi An Japanese Bridge
💳Cash and credit cards accepted
- Ho Chi Minh City store here
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