Lychees from northern Vietnam typically appear from late May through July, with June being the peak month. Thanh Hà lychees come from a growing area in the former Hải Dương province, which now falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Hải Phòng City. As this article was published in September 2026, the main fresh-fruit season has already ended; this has been updated as a guide to choosing lychees in preparation for the next season rather than as a "now is the time to buy" recommendation.
2026 Was a Poor Harvest Year, Driving Prices Up
According to VnEconomy, citing information from Vietnam's Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, early-season lychees in 2026 were forecast to be down 35–50% from the previous year. Higher-than-normal winter temperatures across the north disrupted flower bud formation, among other factors. Market prices in May reached 60,000–180,000 VND per kilogram, with premium or air-freighted fruit reaching 195,000–210,000 VND. These were early-season prices and cannot be used as a yearly or weekly benchmark.
Check the Origin Label at the Market
Markets such as Long Biên carry lychees from multiple origins and varieties. A red color does not necessarily mean it is from Thanh Hà, so check the origin label on the price tag or box, and if necessary ask, "Is this Thanh Hà?" Wholesale markets are busiest from late night through early morning, with wet floors and frequent movement of carts and motorbikes. If you are visiting for sightseeing purposes, it may be easier to buy small quantities at a supermarket or fruit shop rather than entering during peak hours.
How to Pick a Good Fruit
Choose fruit with supple stems, leaves that are not completely dried out, and skin that feels firm. Avoid fruit with dark discoloration, leaking juice, a fermented smell, or extreme softness. After purchasing, do not leave the fruit in a hot car; wash it just before eating. Rather than buying a large quantity at once, buying only what you will eat that day is the safer approach.
| Item | Guide |
|---|---|
| Main Season | Late May to July, with June at the peak |
| Early 2026 Market Prices | 60,000–180,000 VND per kg |
| What to Check | Origin, stems and leaves, firmness of skin, juice leakage |
| Where to Buy | Markets, supermarkets, specialist fruit shops |
| Bringing Into Japan | Fresh fruit from Vietnam is subject to conditions. Do not casually bring it back in your carry-on luggage. |
Do Not Bring Fresh Fruit Back to Japan
Japan imposes strict quarantine conditions on fruit and plants from overseas. There is a commercial import framework for Vietnamese lychees that requires specified treatments, inspection certificates, and packaging, but this does not mean travelers can bring fresh fruit purchased at a market back home in their luggage. Eat the fruit while you are there, and for souvenirs consider properly labeled, highly processed products instead.
Connecting the numbers to your own judgment
When I look at rankings or figures, I first check the surveying body, the period covered, the sample, the currency, and whether it is a calendar year or fiscal year. A national growth rate does not directly reflect the prices or crowds at the specific places you visit. For travel planning, it is more practical to treat statistics as background context and make final decisions based on fares, accommodation rates, and operating information on the days you plan to travel.
To preserve the amount of information in the article, the policy is to retain the background and options covered in the original article and correct only errors. If you are unsure how to decide, write down your constraints in terms of time, budget, energy, and travel companions, and choose one priority. Because the optimal answer changes when conditions change, it is important not to apply the article's conclusions directly to your own situation.
Connecting the numbers to your own judgment
When I look at rankings or figures, I first check the surveying body, the period covered, the sample, the currency, and whether it is a calendar year or fiscal year. A national growth rate does not directly reflect the prices or crowds at the specific places you visit. For travel planning, it is more practical to treat statistics as background context and make final decisions based on fares, accommodation rates, and operating information on the days you plan to travel.
Summary
Lychees in season are at their best when eaten close to where they are grown. Do not treat price figures as fixed; judge by the label and condition, buy a small amount, and do not bring them back to Japan. That is the safest and most satisfying way to enjoy them.
Reference:VnEconomy、Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Plant Protection Station
Before using figures to make travel decisions
The meaning of rankings and monetary figures changes depending on the surveying body, the period covered, the sample, the currency, and whether a calendar year or fiscal year is used. Rather than simply copying headline numbers, check the title and notes of the primary source, the date of publication, and whether the figures are preliminary or final. It is also important not to apply national statistics directly to individual shop prices or crowd levels.
