Vietnam Airlines offers fresh lychee to fliers

The homegrown fruits are characterized by their soft, sweet texture and perfume-like scent

A farmer harvests lychee in Luc Ngan District, Bac Giang Province in northern Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam airlines is praising one of the country’s most beloved foods, fresh lychee, by offering the in-season fruit to business-class and premium-economy passengers on flights departing from Hanoi.

A representative from the national flag carrier said the move is the part of efforts to introduce Vietnamese specialties to global travelers.

The airline sources its lychee from gardens in Luc Ngan District in the northern province of Bac Giang, Vietnam’s famous lychee-growing region where thousands of metric tons of the tropical fruit are produced every year.

Luc Ngan lychee are cultivated in line with Vietnam’s highest standards in agricultural practice, the representative said.

The homegrown fruits, characterized by their soft, sweet texture and perfume-like scent, are typically enjoyed fresh.

Fresh lyechee will be served on Vietnam Airlines’ international and domestic flights departing from Hanoi June 15 and ending 15-20 days later, depending on when farmers in Luc Ngan finish harvesting their crop.

The airline is expected to serve up to two metric tons of the fruit on its flights during that period

The carrier expects to off other regional specialties, such as longan, to its in-flight catering service in the near future, the representative added.