Phu Yen’s lychee gardens a new tourism hotspot in Vietnam

Although lychee trees are not native to the province, the orchards in Song Hinh have sparked a new trend in experiential tourism.

Tourists do not just come to snap photos -- they are free to indulge in bunches of plump, bright-red lychees, enjoyed right at the tree's base.

These days, the family of Nguyen Van Sach in Ea Bar Commune, Song Hinh District is thrilled with the harvest from over 1,000 lychee trees spread across three hectares.

Each tree yields from several dozen to several hundred kilograms of fruit, which traders purchase directly at the orchard for VND30,000-50,000 VND (US$ 1.2-2) per kilogram, depending on quality.

Sach shared that lychee trees thrive in the soil conditions of Song Hinh, offering high productivity.

His family now aims to grow clean, pesticide-free fruit trees while integrating tourism for visiting guests.

Beyond selling fresh lychees, Sach and many other locals have transformed their orchards into attractive tourist destinations. 

Visitors are excited not just to check in and take photos with clusters of ruby-red lychees, but also to soak in the fresh mountain air.

“I found this place through Facebook reviews. The lychees have a subtly sweet, delicious flavor,” said Le Ngoc Linh from Tuy Hoa City, the provincial capital.

“The orchard is spacious and the climate is pleasantly cool. 

"What I love most is that with just an entrance ticket, you can eat as much as you want. 

"Picking fruits with your own hands and enjoying them right there -- it’s such a special experience.”

This form of agricultural tourism is being actively promoted by local authorities. 

According to Le Mo Y Bong, vice-chairman of Ea Bar Commune, agricultural development in the area has seen significant progress in recent years.

Locals have boldly converted less productive land into fruit orchards, totaling around 700 hectares.

Several new fruit varieties introduced for trial planting -- such as lychee and pomelo -- have shown promising results.

The local government also guides residents to combine fruit cultivation with tourism experiences to both promote the region’s brand and establish new attractions for visitors.