According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the export value of longan and its processed products in Q3/2025 reached USD 40.6 million. Notably, processed longan products, such as dried longan, saw a staggering 1,200% increase compared to the same period last year, reaching nearly USD 23 million in Q3. Cumulatively, in the first nine months of 2025, exports of processed longan products grew by nearly 300%.
Longan is now one of Vietnam’s key agricultural exports to China, alongside durian, bird’s nest, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, rambutan, mangoes, and jackfruit. China’s annual demand for longan stands at approximately 700,000 tons.
Vietnam boasts several large longan-growing regions, including Son La, Hung Yen, and other northern provinces, with a total cultivation area of 68,000 hectares. Hung Yen is recognized as Vietnam’s longan capital, with approximately 5,800 hectares dedicated to longan cultivation. Of this, 15–20% is allocated to premium varieties such as honeyed longan and ancient-fleshed longan, renowned for their sweet, delicate flavor, thick flesh, and small seeds. These varieties are primarily grown in Hong Chau, Tan Hung, Duc Hop, Hong Quang, Khoai Chau, Chau Ninh, and Trieu Viet Vuong.
These regions benefit from ideal soil conditions, favorable climates, and a long-standing tradition of cultivation expertise. As a result, Hung Yen longans are superior in quality: thick-fleshed, dry, subtly fragrant, with small seeds and a rich sweetness. Their consistent yield has made them a favorite in both domestic and international markets.
The 2025 longan season is divided into three main harvest periods: early-ripening longans (10% of the area) harvested before July 30; main-season longans (50% of the area) harvested from August 1 to 30; and late-ripening longans (40% of the area) harvested from August 30 to September 20. Favorable weather conditions have boosted this year’s yield by approximately 15%, exceeding 50,000 tons.
Notably, over 60% of the harvest meets VietGAP and organic standards, catering to stringent requirements from high-end markets like the US, EU, and Japan, while also maintaining exports to China—a major consumer.
Dried longan is a celebrated specialty of the region, with a long-standing tradition of production. Currently, Hung Yen has around 400 households engaged in dried longan production and processing, concentrated in Tan Hung, Khoai Chau, An Thi, Tien Hoa, and Hiep Cuong. Each household processes between 1 to 5 tons of fresh longan daily, providing seasonal employment for thousands of workers.
Longans are peeled in sterile, air-conditioned rooms to produce dried longan and lotus seed-stuffed dried longan, both certified with the 4-star OCOP standard. Dried longan fetches a premium price of VND 300,000–400,000 per kg, significantly higher than average, due to its rigorous production process, consistent quality, and exceptional aroma.
Hung Yen now boasts over 20 OCOP 3-star and 4-star certified products, including dried longan and lotus seed-stuffed dried longan. This marks a significant shift from small-scale to professional, branded agricultural processing, poised for international market expansion.
