Leaders of the Departments of Industry and Trade of Hanoi and Bac Giang province sign a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting litchi consumption in 2018. Photo: Thanh Nam.

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Luc Ngan litchis attract consumers in Hanoi

In the early morning of June 13, there was light rain in Hanoi. Despite the hot weather, hundreds of people flocked to Big C Thang Long Supermarket on Tran Duy Hung Street to study and enjoy Luc Ngan litchis.

Holding fresh fruits in her hand, Ngo Thi Thanh Lich, 81, from Trung Hoa ward, Cau Giay district (Hanoi) said knowing the information on "Luc Ngan - Bac Giang Litchi Week in Hanoi", she and her relatives came to the supermarket to buy litchis. According to Lich, her family bought more than 10 kg of type-1 litchi to eat gradually and use as gifts to friends.

Also visiting the litchi booth from the early morning, Duong Duc Diem, residing in Cau Giay district, bought more than 6 kg of litchi. He commented: "This year, Luc Ngan litchis are very delicious with large fruit, red skin, small seed and thick flesh. From now to the end of the week, I will buy more and introduce my neighbors to come here to buy litchis."

The new point of this year’s event is that Big C Thang Long Supermarket offers eight kinds of products made from litchis such as juice, tea, donut, ice cream, and cheesecake... These new products are very attractive to visitors.

Besides, at the supermarket, there are also some booths showcasing specialty farm produce of Luc Ngan such as Chu noodles, honey and Kim Ngan litchi vinegar, luring a lot of visitors.

To make the payment smoothly, Big C Thang Long has arranged two cashiers and more than 10 guides. Representatives from the supermarket said that on the first day of the week, more than 1 tonne of litchi were sold at prices ranging from 29,000 VND to 39,000 VND per kg (depending on each type). These are the original prices at the garden, excluding transport and related costs, helping the people of Hanoi to use the best products at preferential prices. It is expected that in the coming days, the litchi consumption will increase.

Continue promotion and increase consumption

People of the capital buy Luc Ngan litchis.

Not only sold at Big C Thang Long Supermarket, Luc Ngan - Bac Giang litchi products have also been massively put on shelves in the Big C supermarket chain in the country.

Kim Tae Hyun, head of Food Group of Central Group Vietnam - the food provider for the Big C supermarket chain, said: "This year, the unit targets selling around 500 tonnes of Luc Ngan litchi. In addition, it will also coordinate with some partners to promote the export of fresh litchis to the Thai market. To achieve this goal, the group has sent staff members to Luc Ngan to select and buy the freshest litchis to bring to consumers”.

This year’s Luc Ngan - Bac Giang Litchi Week has attracted the participation of more than 20 businesses, convenience stores, clean fruit and vegetable shops in Hanoi to display and supply litchis to the people in the capital city.

Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, affirmed that the promotion of litchi consumption is part of the annual cooperation programme between the two localities’ departments of industry and trade. To date, Luc Ngan – Bac Giang litchi products have been present in most wholesale markets and large stores in Hanoi.

As the harvest season just lasts over one month, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has urged enterprises to arrange more cold stores to preserve litchis in order to prolong the time for selling the fresh fruits.

On this occasion, the People's Committee of Luc Ngan district and representatives of 20 enterprises, supermarkets and wholesale markets in Hanoi signed an agreement on cooperation in selling litchi in 2018. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of Luc Ngan district People's Committee, said Luc Ngan vows to direct enterprises, cooperatives and people in the locality to perform well production and harvest to provide consumers with quality products that meet food hygiene and safety requirements as well as create conditions for businesses to purchase and transport the fruits.

Thanh Nam - Van Thuong