Tourists are delighted to pick juicy fruit straight from the trees, tasting specialties in the shade and snapping photos in the cool green space of the orchards. This is Can Tho at its best - kicking off the most exciting season of the year.

Visitors picking fresh longan on Son Islet, Binh Thuy Ward. Photo: DUY KHOI

Lately, Can Tho is in full sweet fruit season mode. From the green orchards of An Binh, Phong Dien and Nhon Ai to the river islets of Tan Loc, Son Islet, My Phuoc, Phong Nam and Cu Lao Dung on the Hau River, stunning photos as well as videos are taking over social media and drawing wide attention.

Son Islet in Binh Thuy Ward is buzzing with visitors right now. Here, rambutan, mangosteen and longan gardens welcome you in to pick fruits and savor them fresh. At Hieu Trang Ancient Longan Garden, owner Tran Thanh Hieu says visitors don’t just take photos - they learn how longan trees are cared for and the daily life of local residents. That’s what makes the trip truly unforgettable.

In Nhon Ai Commune, Tu Dung Eco-Garden is also at the height of rambutan season and drawing tourists in. According to owner Tran Thi Kim Loan, her family works hard to maintain an authentic orchard environment. Along with craft village tours, food tastings and folk performances, wandering through the fruit orchards continue to be a top draw for visitors.

Leveraging its reputation for “good trees bear sweet fruits,” Can Tho has steadily been turning orchard farming into tourism development. In addition to standalone attractions, many areas now organize fruit festivals and celebrations on the river islets to boost orchard tourism. This model still offers huge potential to grow into a competitive tourism brand.

Under the Action Plan to implement Politburo Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW dated January 7-2026 on the development of Vietnamese culture, the Can Tho City Party Executive Committee has set targets for cultural industries to account for at least 7% of GRDP, aiming to cultivate at least 3 flagship brands rooted in local culture and cultural industries; along with 1 national and 2 regional Mekong Delta brands that highlight its river culture, orchard life and multi-ethnic identity.

In that context, positioning the “Can Tho - Land of Sweet Harvests” brand is not only an appealing concept but also the right direction for the city’s development orientation. To become a real brand, “Can Tho - Land of Sweet Harvests” needs a large-scale, holistic and long-term citywide strategy, including zoning orchard areas for tourism, creating a system of seasonal products and festivals, boosting marketing and partnerships with tour operators. All destinations must be integrated into a “sweet fruit season map,” so each summer, travelers think of Can Tho first.`

What’s equally important is that this brand needs to be rooted in culture. It’s about generations of orchard wisdom, the generous spirit of riverine residents, the way people treat each other, talk, and cook. By telling those stories in tourism terms, they will come together as a culturally authentic travel experience.

DANG HUYNH (Translated by MAI QUYEN)