Instead of growing traditional purple passion fruit, Luong Thi Dung's family in residential area 9, Tan Lap commune, has shifted to cultivating 1,000 yellow passion fruit plants on 1.4 hectares of her hill gardens. The yellow passion fruit harvest has begun, with on-site purchase prices ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 VND (1.68-2.51 USD) per kilogram. Her family has applied organic production methods, without the use of chemical pesticides and preservatives. They have used grass trimmers, and pruned old and diseased branches and leaves to ensure product safety.

Yellow passion fruit has been cultivated on a trial basis in Moc Chau for three years. Unlike the traditional passion fruit, it turns from green to yellow at maturity, and has thin rind, an aromatic compound and a much sweeter taste. Therefore, since it was introduced to the market, the fruit has been favored by many customers although its price is three times higher than that of the traditional one. To ensure the sweetness and high value of the fruit, it requires more stringent farming methods.

Yellow passion fruit is highly productive, with each hectare yielding up to 30-40 tonnes. Its harvest season lasts from June to the end of the year. All harvested fruits are purchased right in orchards at high prices by traders. Farmers can earn from 300 to 500 million VND (12,595-20,990 USD) per hectare of the fruit. Loi Tuoi Agrico Co., Ltd. has expanded the area of yellow passion fruit to over 100 hectares in Moc Chau district and other localities in Son La province.

Yellow passion fruit has begun to prove its high economic value. Moc Chau is encouraging local households to collaborate with businesses to expand the area in order to tap into the potential and advantages of the highland region, thereby helping farmers improve their economic wellbeing./.