VINAGRI News - A farmer in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta has successfully bred a unique “golden” durian variety prized for its exceptional taste and texture, fetching prices as high as 700,000 VND per kilogram (approximately USD 26.5/kg).
The new variety was developed by Nguyen Duy Hien (64 years old), from Phu Phung commune, Vinh Long province (formerly part of Ben Tre). He cultivates the durian on an area of nearly 7,000 square meters.
Nine years ago, Hien discovered a rare durian variety with bright golden flesh, smooth texture, mild fragrance, no greasiness, and no fibrousness. Of the four initial trees he planted, only one survived. Drawing on his grafting expertise, he propagated an additional seven trees for trial planting.
Mr. Hien beside his newly bred durian tree. Photo: T.X
“At first, I just wanted to see if the tree could adapt to the Mekong Delta’s climate and soil,” Hien said. “The plant grew well, showed little susceptibility to pests, and set fruit easily. That gave me the confidence to expand cultivation.”
Distinctive qualities and high value
Through years of observation, Hien found the variety easy to flower and care for, with cultivation techniques similar to other popular types. The fruit has a slender shape with greenish-gray skin. When tasted, it impressed Hien and others with its rich, creamy, sweet flavor.
The Duy Hien DH.1 variety, as he named it, features golden flesh, fine and dry texture, buttery softness, tiny seeds, and high sweetness levels with a Brix reading of 36.5 - 39.4%. The fruit remains firm and uncracked even after ripening, is easy to open, and weighs 2 - 3 kilograms per fruit.
A standout trait is its ability to ripen naturally within 3-4 days after harvest, without any chemical treatment. The fruiting period from flowering to harvest is just 90 days, significantly shorter than most other varieties.
According to Hien, the DH.1 is easy to induce flowering, adapts well to Mekong Delta conditions, and could also thrive in the Central Highlands.
Economic potential
Thanks to its outstanding quality, sweetness, and “clean” production standards, Duy Hien DH.1 is sold at 700,000 VND/kg, several times higher than common durian varieties. Hien also supplies seedlings at 500,000 VND each, aiming to develop a high-value agricultural model for local farmers.
The durian variety collected by Mr. Hien features an eye-catching golden flesh. Photo: T.X
Cultivation techniques are similar to other durian varieties in the region, such as building raised beds (70-80 cm) to prevent waterlogging. Hien regularly monitors plant growth and provides technical guidance to other growers.
Expert assessment
Dr. Bui Thanh Liem, former head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Office of Cho Lach District (formerly Ben Tre, now part of Vinh Long), has tasted the DH.1 variety and praised its dry, smooth, and rich flesh.
However, Dr. Liem noted that comprehensive evaluation by agricultural authorities is still needed to assess its yield potential and overall economic efficiency.
If proven viable on a larger scale, Duy Hien DH.1 could become a premium export variety, contributing to Vietnam’s durian industry’s growing reputation in both domestic and international markets.
NPK/ Vinagri News (as reported by Vietnamnet)
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