1. General introduction to Luan Van pomelo
Among the countless famous products of the countryside, Luan Van pomelo from Lam Son commune, Thanh Hoa province has affirmed a special position in the hearts of Vietnamese people. Associated with this land since the Hau Le dynasty, this type of pomelo stands out with its bright red peel, inside with pinkish-red flesh, and a unique, refreshingly sweet taste that easily captivates many tasters.
The name "royal tribute pomelo" originates from the long-standing tradition of the people of Luan Van village. (Source: Collected)
The name "royal tribute pomelo" originates from the long-standing tradition of the people of Luan Van village. On each occasion of the Lunar New Year, the Luan Van pomelos with the most beautiful appearance and perfect quality will be carefully selected to be offered to the king and the court. Legend has it that King Le Loi once used this special pomelo from the Lam Kinh region to name it, creating a brand for the specialty pomelo of his homeland.
Today, Luan Van pomelo is preserved and developed strongly thanks to support from effective agricultural technology programs. This product has been awarded the OCOP 4-star certification nationwide, with the orientation of protecting geographical indications as well as developing clean raw material areas and standardizing quality to serve the domestic market and future exports.
2. Unique identification characteristics of Luan Van Pomelo
2.1. Shape, color, and harvest time
Luan Van Pomelo has a balanced, elongated oval shape, with each fruit weighing from 1 to 1.2 kg. The color of this pomelo changes as it ripens: initially the skin is shiny green, by the end of the 9th or 10th lunar month the fruit begins to turn a vibrant red, uniform from the peel to the flesh. The pith is a gentle pale pink, the flesh inside is an eye-catching orange-red.
Typically, Luan Van pomelo is harvested in the 9th or 10th lunar month, and can remain on the tree until the Lunar New Year. This outstanding natural preservation ability allows growers flexibility in serving important occasions such as the traditional Tet holiday and major festivals of the year.
2.2. Flavor and segment structure
The flesh of the Luan Van pomelo is very thick, juicy, with a characteristic orange-red color, making an impression at first sight. The segments are usually large and easy to separate, with few seeds or seedless fruits, this is a special characteristic found in few places.
The flesh of the Luan Van pomelo is very thick, juicy, with a characteristic orange-red color. (Source: Collected)
The sweet and refreshing taste, only slightly sour with a mild fragrance, makes Luan Van pomelo attractive to both adults and children. High juiciness along with a pleasant sweetness are the strengths that help this type of pomelo have a firm standing in people's lives as well as in important traditional ceremonies.
2.3. Geographical indications and soil factors determine quality
In 2013, the Luan Van pomelo was granted a geographical indication certificate by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam. The recognized production area is Lam Son commune (including the former Tho Xuong and Xuan Bai communes) of Thanh Hoa province.
What creates the special quality of the Luan Van pomelo is the loose, nutrient-rich alluvial soil of this area. This characteristic not only affects the vibrant color of the pomelo but also contributes to its unique flavor that cannot be accurately replicated anywhere else.
3. Luan Van pomelo in Vietnamese culture and beliefs
3.1. Symbol of good luck during Tet and traditional ceremonies
The Luan Van pomelo embodies wishes for luck, prosperity, and wealth during each Lunar New Year (Tet), especially in Thanh Hoa and the North Central Coast region. The red color of the fruit carries great significance, symbolizing auspiciousness, abundance, and the wish for a fulfilling new year. People use this bright red pomelo to express respect to heaven, earth, and ancestors and to look towards faith in a peaceful future.
Luan Van Pomelo embodies wishes for luck, wealth, and prosperity. (Source: Collected)
The tradition of displaying Luan Van Pomelo on the ancestral altar during Tet has been preserved for generations, becoming a distinctive cultural beauty of the Lam Kinh region in particular and Thanh Hoa province in general. It is not only a gift from nature but also a symbol connecting generations through long-standing traditional values.
3.2. Spiritual value and items in festivals and events
Not only during traditional Tet holidays, Luan Van Pomelo also appears at many important traditional festivals. In the Lam Kinh festival, rituals praying for wealth or events like inaugurations and housewarmings, Luan Van Pomelo is considered an indispensable item, adding value and meaning to the ceremony.
The importance of Luan Van Pomelo is not limited to its nutritional value. This ripe red pomelo carries deep spiritual meaning, preserving the memories and traditions of each family and clan in the region through generations. People in the area always cherish Luan Van Pomelo as a symbol of piety, gratitude to ancestors, and aspiration for a bright future.
3.3. Local festivals and culture
Every year, the Lam Kinh festival as well as the Lunar New Year (Tet) include many activities associated with Luan Van Pomelo . Many families, orchards, and production facilities organize competitions to find the most beautiful and highest-quality pomelos to offer to ancestors. These activities not only contribute to preserving but also honoring the precious royal specialty of their homeland.
The image of ripe pomelo orchards with clusters of bright red fruit, and the joyful laughter of the people during festival days have become an unmistakable hallmark of the sacred Lam Kinh land.
4. Luan Van Pomelo Cultivation, Production, and Conservation 2025
4.1. Key cultivation areas and geographical indications
The key area for cultivating Luan Van Pomelo is Lam Son commune, with an expanded area of tens of hectares. This entire region is protected by geographical indications, and all products are strictly controlled for origin and quality. Only pomelos meeting the standards are allowed to bear the geographical indication label for distribution to the market.
The output of Luan Van pomelo increases annually, meeting the consumption needs within the province. (Source: Collected)
The output of Luan Van pomelo increases annually, meeting the consumption needs within the province, neighboring provinces, and the gift market nationwide, especially during holidays and Tet. Stable consumption growth figures reflect the potential and sustainable development of this local specialty agricultural product.
4.2. Cultivation, conservation, and development process according to standards
The planting process for Luan Van pomelo is strictly established, from seed selection and grafting to the care of parent trees. Farmers prioritize using organic fertilizers, controlling pests and diseases by biological methods, focusing on water-saving irrigation systems, and reasonable pruning to achieve the highest efficiency.
Pomelo variety conservation activities are carried out in parallel, such as preserving the original stock and caring for valuable parent trees. Local authorities support growers in restoring old pomelo orchards, expanding new planting areas, and disseminating cultivation techniques towards safety and environmental friendliness. Most large orchards have been certified to ensure clean standards from production to final consumption.
4.3. Development orientation, OCOP, SGR agricultural technology
In 2021, Luan Van pomelo officially received a provincial 4-star OCOP rating. Currently, the product is striving to achieve national OCOP status, in line with the development strategy for the coming years. This achievement helps affirm the value and quality of the royal tribute specialty from the Thanh Hoa region.
The new development system focuses on value chain linkage, while applying modern biotechnology along with a raw material quality control system. Traceability technology is implemented to protect the brand and build consumer trust. Luan Van pomelo is currently identified as the key product for the agricultural economic development and export goals of Thanh Hoa province in the coming period.
5. Experience in choosing and preserving authentic Luan Van Pomelo
5.1. Tips for choosing delicious, perfectly bright red Luan Van pomelo
When choosing Luan Van pomelo, you should carefully observe the fruit's characteristic color. A ripe pomelo has an even red color from peel to flesh, not due to artificial intervention. The peel surface is slightly rough and thin, and when touched, the fruit feels firm, not mushy, with no dents, and has a characteristic mild fragrance.
When choosing Luan Van pomelo, you should carefully observe the characteristic color of the fruit. (Source: Collected)
Identifying Luan Van pomelo is not difficult if you pay attention to a few points: fake pomelos often have a light red color, uneven, and sometimes use tools to polish them. When cut open, real pomelos will have large, even segments, juicy, distinct pink-orange flesh, natural sweetness, no bitterness, and contain very few or no seeds. To be assured of the quality, you should buy from reputable establishments, supermarkets, OCOP stores with clear origin traceability stamps.
5.2. How to preserve pomelo for a long time, maintaining quality until Tet
Local people pass down many experiences in preserving Luan Van pomelo to keep it fresh for the longest time. Hang the pomelos in a well-ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight, place the fruit stem upwards, and line the bottom with straw or dry sand to help retain moisture and maintain the freshness of the pomelos for longer.
Modern preservation methods use mesh bags and place the fruit in cold storage to keep them for a long time without affecting quality. The important thing is not to let the pomelos get wet or be subjected to strong impacts that cause the segments to be crushed. Experienced families can preserve Luan Van pomelo for 2 to 3 months, and the fruit still retains its quality as if freshly picked.
6. Suggestions for tourism experiences combined with exploring Luan Van Pomelo in Thanh Hoa
6.1. Visiting pomelo gardens and Luan Van craft village
Directly visiting Luan Van pomelo gardens is an attractive agricultural tourism activity, providing a lot of knowledge and practical experience. Visitors can choose half-day or full-day tours to visit the pomelo gardens during the harvest season, participate in harvesting with farmers, learn how to choose delicious pomelos, and understand the process of caring for seedlings and packaging products.
Directly visiting the Luan Van pomelo garden is an attractive agricultural tourism activity. (Source: Collected)
The brightly colored ripe pomelo gardens are also ideal locations for tourists to capture beautiful moments in nature. Some garden owners also offer specialized experience tours, providing authentic pomelos for individual customers or tourist groups at the end of the year. This is also an opportunity for tourists to deeply understand the agricultural culture and the value of Luan Van pomelo, a special product of Thanh Hoa.
6.2. Combine exploration of Lam Kinh historical site and local specialties
The Thanh Hoa region is notable for the Lam Kinh historical site located near the Luan Van pomelo growing area, convenient for a journey to explore heritage and enjoy local specialties. Besides Luan Van pomelo, you can also enjoy many other local specialties such as banh la rang bua, nem chua, banh gai Tu Tru, along with many dishes imbued with the flavor of Thanh region.
Participating in local fairs is also an opportunity for tourists to taste products processed from Luan Van pomelo such as jam, essential oil, and experience many other characteristic products of this land. These activities not only satisfy the taste buds but also help tourists gain more understanding of the culinary culture and long-standing traditions of the Lam Kinh region.
When visiting Thanh Hoa, besides enjoying the famous Luan Van pomelo with its refreshing sweetness and characteristic delicate aroma of the Tho Xuan region, tourists should not miss the impressive entertainment experience at the water park Sun World Sam Son . This place is likened to a 'playground paradise' by the sea with a modern game system, record-breaking water slides, and high-class resort areas. The combination of local specialty flavors and the vibrant atmosphere of Sun World Sam Son will surely bring tourists a complete and memorable journey.
Luan Van pomelo proudly gathers nutritional value, spiritual significance, and special quality, being the pride of Vietnamese specialties. During Tet, the red color of Luan Van pomelo becomes even more brilliant, bringing luck and reunion joy to every family. Come to Thanh Hoa to experience and discover this unique royal tribute specialty yourself!
