Currently, Muong Bu commune has about 33 hectares of lychee orchards, concentrated in Ta Mo, Hua Bo, Tieu khu 2, Bung Dien, Muong Bu, Nang Phai, and Dong Luong hamlets. Thanks to favourable weather conditions, this year’s output is estimated at 380 tonnes, an increase of about 130 tonnes compared to last year.

The fruits have attractive appearance and a sweet, refreshing taste, and traders have been purchasing them since the beginning of the season at prices ranging from 20,000 VND to 35,000 VND (1.33 USD) per kg depending on quality.

A farmer in Dong Luong hamlet, Muong Bu commune in the lychee orchard.

In Dong Luong hamlet, farmer Lo Van Thang’s family owns nearly one hectare with more than 200 lychee trees currently in harvest. During these days, his family hires an additional 10 local workers for harvesting, sorting, and packaging, paying them between 300,000 and 350,000 VND per person per day.

Thang shared that his family previously grew maize and cassava, which were not economically efficient. In 2016, after learning from lychee-growing models in the commune, they decided to switch to grafted lychee cultivation. Since the beginning of the season, his family has harvested more than 5 tonnes of lychee, generating nearly 150 million VND in revenue. In addition to selling to traders, they also promote their products on Facebook and Zalo, attracting visitors who come to experience fruit picking at the orchard.

Muong Bu lychees are tied into bunches after harvesting.

Doan Ket Cooperative in Tieu khu 2 (Subzone 2) is one of the main purchasing hubs for local lychee farmers in Muong Bu and surrounding areas. During the harvest season, the cooperative buys around 5 tonnes of lychees per day to supply traders inside and outside the province. It also provides seasonal jobs for about 15–20 local workers with incomes ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 VND per person per day.

Muong Bu lychees are large, with thick flesh and a naturally sweet, refreshing taste.

According to Lo Thi Thuy, Director of Doan Ket Cooperative, in recent years the cooperative has encouraged farmers to adopt safe cultivation practices, limit the use of pesticides, and prioritise organic fertilisers to improve product quality. It also links with lychee growers to support product distribution. This year’s lychees ripened 10–15 days earlier than usual, making harvesting and sales more convenient.

Lychee is gradually becoming a stable income-generating crop for people in Muong Bu. Lu Van Qui, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee, said that in the coming time, the commune will continue to encourage residents to expand suitable cultivation areas, convert less productive land into fruit orchards including lychee, and promote safe farming practices. It will also strengthen linkages with cooperatives and enterprises for product sale, gradually forming concentrated growing areas and improving the value of Muong Bu lychee.

Lychee cultivation in Muong Bu has initially proven economically effective, providing stable income for farmers, opening up a new direction for commercial fruit production, and contributing to improving local livelihoods.