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The Thai longan variety, also known as the IDEO longan, was boldly introduced by Mr. Pham Huu Hien (Ut Hien, 54 years old), who imported the saplings to plant on An Hoa Islet back in 1997. Despite skeptical remarks from others, he spent day and night exploring and learning cultivation and care techniques, driven by the desire to help this advantageous longan variety thrive on the islet soil. His hard work paid off: just three years after planting, he successfully induced the trees to flower and bear fruit. These early-season longan fruits earned him second prize at the 4th Mekong Delta Delicious Fruit Contest in 2000.
According to consumer reviews, Thai longan fruits boast distinct advantages: large size, thick flesh, small seeds, and a mild, sweet flavor. Today, from his 3-hectare longan orchard, Mr. Ut Hien harvests 20 to 30 tons per hectare annually, sold directly to traders at the orchard for 28,000 to 32,000 VND per kg. After deducting all expenses, his net profit is no less than 400 million VND per hectare.
Previously, residents of An Hoa Islet primarily grew local varieties like nhãn long and nhãn da bò (cow-hide longan), but these varieties were highly susceptible to pests and diseases, and their market prices fluctuated unpredictably. Seeing Mr. Ut Hien achieve such positive results with Thai longans, many local households followed suit. Today, Thai longan has become the key economic crop on An Hoa Islet. From an experimental plant, it has greened An Hoa Islet (An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district, Dong Thap province) and brought a prosperous lifestyle to the local community.
Visiting Mr. Ut Hien’s orchard, we observed trees preparing to flower, others just setting fruit, and many ready for harvest. When we asked about the non-uniform growth stages across the trees, Mr. Ut Hien explained: "Modern farmers must know how to proactively manage their seasonal timing. From May to the 15th of the eighth lunar month, the market is flooded with northern and Chinese longans. To avoid the 'bumper crop, falling prices' cycle, I only induce flowering and fruiting from the ninth lunar month onward. The secret to inducing Thai longan to flower is quite simple: just dissolve potassium chlorate (KClO3) in water and apply it to the base of the tree."
Currently, Mr. Ut Hien has built his own longan brand featuring a custom logo and is awaiting VietGAP certification. Each year, he supplies 200 to 300 tons to markets in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and China at prices ranging from 50,000 to 70,000 VND per kg. Today, Thai longan is cultivated not only in Dong Thap but also in other western provinces such as An Giang, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, and throughout the Eastern Nam Bo region.
According to Mr. Phan Văn Sum, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Chau Thanh district (Dong Thap): Thai longan is an easy-to-grow variety that delivers high economic efficiency. Compared to nhãn tiêu da bò, Thai longan currently commands a price four times higher. "Notably, Thai longan has the advantage of strong resistance to witches' broom disease. While the infection rate in cow-hide longans exceeds 90%, Thai longans only experience 5 to 10%. For households intending to transition their crops, local authorities actively encourage farmers to choose the Thai longan variety."
Zalo
