Sourcing from Vietnam · Vietnam → World
Sourcing Fresh and Processed Fruit and Vegetables from Vietnam
Vietnam exports a wide range of tropical fruit, from dragon fruit and durian to mango, lychee and coconut, as well as frozen, dried and canned products. GLG helps importers find verified growers, packing houses and processors that meet market access rules, then manages cold chain logistics to destination.
Key products
- Dragon fruit, white and red flesh
- Fresh and frozen durian, whole fruit and pulp
- Mango (Cát Chu, Hòa Lộc and other varieties)
- Lychee, longan and rambutan
- Pomelo, banana, pineapple and passion fruit
- Fresh and processed coconut products
- IQF frozen fruit and vegetables, purees and juices
- Dried, soft-dried and freeze-dried fruit and vegetable snacks
- Canned and preserved fruit, pickles and chilli products
Sourcing regions
- Mekong Delta (Đồng Tháp, Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ, An Giang) – mango, durian, pomelo, coconut and many processing plants
- Lâm Đồng (former Bình Thuận coast) and Tây Ninh – dragon fruit
- Central Highlands (Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, Lâm Đồng) – durian, avocado, passion fruit and temperate vegetables
- Bắc Ninh and Hưng Yên – lychee and longan
- Sơn La and the Northwest – plums, mango and longan
Common HS codes
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0804 | Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes |
| 0810 | Other fresh fruit, including dragon fruit, durian, lychee |
| 0811 | Frozen fruit and nuts |
| 0813 | Dried fruit |
| 2008 | Fruit otherwise prepared or preserved |
| 2009 | Fruit and vegetable juices |
HS codes are indicative. Confirm the exact classification of your product before you declare it.
Certifications buyers ask for
- Registered growing area codes and packing house codes required by many importing countries
- GlobalG.A.P. or VietGAP for farms supplying fresh produce
- Phytosanitary certificate and, where required, irradiation or vapour heat treatment
- Compliance with the destination market maximum residue levels
- BRCGS, IFS or HACCP for frozen, dried and canned processors
- FDA food facility registration for the United States
Logistics notes
- Fresh fruit ships in 40-foot reefer containers with temperature, ventilation and humidity set for each product.
- Pre-cool fruit immediately after harvest and keep the cold chain unbroken from packing house to port.
- Lychee and other short-life fruit often go by air to premium markets; others go by sea in reefers.
- Much fresh fruit for China moves by road through the Lạng Sơn border gates or by rail, as well as by sea.
- Frozen products ship at minus 18 degrees Celsius or colder; use temperature data loggers on every shipment.
Sourcing tips
- Check that the farm and packing house codes are registered and valid for your market before ordering.
- Agree size, Brix, maturity, colour and defect tolerances in writing for each fruit.
- Ask for recent residue test results and plan independent tests on the first lots.
- Watch harvest seasons, as quality and prices change quickly at the start and end of each season.
- For processed products, verify the processing line, cold storage capacity and food safety certificates on site.
Vietnam as a fruit and vegetable origin
Vietnam has a tropical and subtropical climate that supports year-round production of many fruits. Over the past decade, the country has opened access for fresh fruit to demanding markets such as the United States, Japan, Korea, Australia and the EU, while China remains a major buyer. Durian, dragon fruit, mango, coconut, banana and pomelo are among the most important export items, and the processing sector for frozen, dried and canned fruit continues to grow.
Seasons and market access
| Product | Main season | Typical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon fruit | Year-round, peak in summer | Area codes; irradiation or vapour heat treatment for some markets |
| Durian | Several seasons across regions | Area and packing codes; contaminant and residue testing |
| Mango | Spring to summer, with off-season crops | Vapour heat or hot water treatment for some markets |
| Lychee | Late spring to early summer | Short shelf life, air or fast reefer |
| Coconut | Year-round | Clean husk, trimmed or fresh green coconut |
Seasons vary by region and variety, so confirm the harvest window with each supplier.
How GLG sources and verifies
We shortlist growers, packing houses and processors that already hold the codes and certificates needed for your market. Verification covers business registration, export history, area and facility codes, food safety certificates, cold storage and packing capacity. We coordinate samples, residue testing, pre-shipment inspection of quality and packing, and supervise reefer loading and temperature settings.
Buying process and terms
Fresh fruit is often sold FOB or CFR with short validity offers and payment by deposit and balance against documents, or by letter of credit for large programmes. Processed products follow standard food terms with longer lead times. Agree clearly how quality claims at arrival are handled, including who appoints the surveyor and the time limit for a claim.
Packing and documentation
Fresh fruit is usually packed in ventilated cartons with liners or foam nets, with labels that show the product, variety, size, packing house code and growing area code as required by the destination. Pallets should be strapped and corner-protected to allow air flow in the reefer. The document set typically includes the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, phytosanitary certificate, treatment certificate where required, certificate of origin and, for processed products, health or analysis certificates. GLG checks label and document consistency before loading, because a mismatch between codes on cartons and certificates is a frequent cause of delays at destination.
Risks to manage
- Rejection at destination due to residues, contaminants or missing registration codes.
- Quality loss from breaks in the cold chain or incorrect reefer settings.
- Inconsistent maturity, size or packing between lots.
- Tightened inspection by importing countries that slows clearance at border gates or ports.
Importing countries update their fresh fruit requirements regularly. Check the current rules for your market before each new season.
Frequently asked questions
Which Vietnamese fresh fruits can be exported to the US?
Several fruits, including dragon fruit, lychee, longan, rambutan, mango and others, have market access when they meet requirements such as irradiation and registered production codes. Check the current list for your product.
Should I buy fresh fruit by air or sea?
Short-life fruit such as lychee usually travels by air to distant markets, while dragon fruit, durian, coconut and mango often travel by sea in reefer containers.
Can you supervise reefer container loading?
Yes. We can check pre-cooling, packing, temperature settings and data loggers during loading and include photos in the inspection report.
GLG connects, verifies and coordinates, but is not a party to the sales contract: the purchase agreement, price and performance obligations are between buyer and seller. Verification and inspection results reflect conditions at the time of the check and do not guarantee future performance.