Vietnam lychees sweeten Chinese markets as trade ties deepen

Vietnam, with its favorable geography and climate, is home to a rich variety of fruits. In recent years, deepening trade relations between China and Vietnam have fueled a steady rise in Vietnamese fruit exports to the Chinese market. Among them, Vietnamese lychees – renowned for their juicy texture and sweet flavor – have become a favorite among Chinese consumers.

In 2024, Vietnam signed multiple agricultural trade agreements with China, expanding market access for its produce. Today, Vietnamese lychees are not only found in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but are also widely available on e-commerce platforms.

During the summer months, trucks loaded with freshly harvested Vietnamese lychees stream through the Honghe River freight channel at the port in Hekou County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, ensuring a steady supply of this tropical delicacy to Chinese consumers. In May 2024 alone, over 6,600 tons of Vietnamese lychees passed through Hekou, enriching fruit markets across China while driving economic activity at the port.

As Yunnan's largest land port on the China-Vietnam border, Hekou port plays a crucial role in facilitating cross-border trade. During the peak tropical fruit seasons, customs authorities implement and expedite clearance measures to ensure rapid market access for perishable goods. With well-developed road and rail connections, streamlined customs policies, and growing Sino-Vietnamese exchanges, Hekou port has also become an increasingly popular gateway for Vietnamese travelers heading to China.