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Located about 50 km from the center of Hanoi, a visit to Bac Giang at this time of year will allow tourists to witness firsthand the sight of lychee orchards laden with fruit peeking out from the green foliage, or long lines of trucks carrying lychees moving in all directions.
Luc Ngan is considered the lychee capital of Bac Giang. Besides being immersed in the vibrant red of lychees, there are also many other attractions that draw tourists to Bac Giang during this time.
Luc Ngan is considered the lychee capital of Bac Giang.
Join Hoang Thuy Duong (Duong Duong Blog) as she introduces Travellive readers to 4 must-see destinations when visiting Bac Giang, the capital of lychee production:
Chiu Ben lychee orchard, Tan Son, Luc Ngan
As someone from Bac Giang who grew up surrounded by lychee trees since childhood, Thuy Duong was still amazed when she had the chance to see and set foot in Luc Ngan, the "kingdom of lychees." Thousands of lychee trees with their "polka-dot red" blossoms are planted in layers, encircling villages and hillsides.
Thùy Dương checked in at the Chiu Bền lychee orchard in Tân Sơn, Lục Ngạn. This is a late-ripening lychee growing area in Bắc Giang, and the harvest season has just begun. The lychee hills will remain beautiful until the end of July, giving everyone plenty of time to visit.
Thùy Dương shared: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a huge cluster of bright red lychees hanging heavily on the branches. The lychees are bouncy on the branches, some even drooping to the ground. Locals have to prop up the branches with sticks to keep the clusters upright. Especially under the morning sun, the ripe red lychees stand out beautifully against the dark green, glossy, and succulent leaves, looking incredibly appetizing. In addition, the lychee orchards often form beautiful arches, perfect for tourists to take stunning photos and create lasting memories.”
While the lychee harvest in the lowland communes of Luc Ngan district has basically ended, in the highland commune of Tan Son, the harvesting and selling of lychees by the local people is just beginning to become bustling. The lychee hills will remain beautiful until the end of July, offering plenty of opportunities for tourists to visit.
Lychees from Bac Giang are famous both domestically and internationally. Every year during the harvest season, this fruit is exported to many places, bringing a significant income to the local people.
Cam Son Lake
If Quang Ninh has Ha Long Bay and Dak Nong has Ta Dung Lake, then Bac Giang has the picturesque Cam Son Lake. Cam Son Lake attracts visitors with its clear blue water, vast surface, and numerous small islands.
“For me, Cam Son Lake is truly an attractive place that you can't miss when you come to Luc Ngan. Spending a day cruising on the lake, exploring the lychee islands in the middle of the lake is the best experience. Not only can you admire the beautiful, dreamy, and peaceful scenery of the mountains and lake, but you can also enjoy ripe lychees grown right on the islands. At noon, I stopped at Cam Son fishing village to rest and have lunch. This area is also little-known, camping and chilling by the lake is great,” Thuy Duong said.
The surface of Cam Son Lake is a calm, emerald green, surrounded by towering mountain ranges.
Cam Son Lake is approximately 30 km long, with its widest point around 7 km, forming a stunning lake with many green islands in the middle. Along the lake's shores are many beautiful villages, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains. The lake is known for its picturesque scenery, with rows of trees casting their gentle reflections on its surface. The lake remains calm year-round, embracing the numerous islands, creating a dreamy and romantic landscape.
Additionally, visitors can also visit the floating bridge on Cam Son Lake. At sunset, standing here, you can admire the setting sun's rays gliding across the lake's surface, following the waves and reflecting a shimmering golden hue. It feels like walking in a slow-motion film, returning to a carefree period of youth. This bridge, located on Cam Son Lake, connects Tam Che village to Dap village and was designed and built by a local "engineer" with the support of the local people.
Floating Bridge – Cam Son Lake
Cam Son fishing village
Bau Tien Lake - Quy Son
“Bau Tien Lake Eco-tourism Area is a brand new name on the Bac Giang tourism map. Here, the lychees are pinkish-red and heart-shaped, very cute. My first experience with a night lychee picking tour was quite interesting,” Thuy Duong said.
The Bau Tien Lake eco-tourism area offers many basic amenities such as stilt houses, BBQ dining areas, and water sports like rowing, pedal boating, and cycling.
Bau Tien Lake Ecological Area, Quy Son Commune, Luc Ngan District, Bac Giang Province
Scenery along Bau Tien Lake
Tan Son Market
To capture the bustling moment of the lychee market, Thùy Dương has to wake up at 3 am. Locals usually harvest lychees at night and transport them to the market starting at 5 am. Each person carries a basket weighing 150-200 kg of lychees, waiting to meet traders and negotiate a mutually agreeable price.
Thùy Dương recounted: “If we could sell them at a slightly higher price, we’d sell them quickly and go home. But if we were forced to accept a lower price, we’d be so upset that we’d just stand there ‘chatting for fun’ and wouldn’t want to sell. That’s probably why the already crowded road became even more congested. Within 2-3 hours, the road was ablaze with the vibrant red of ripe lychees.”
Tan Son fabric market, 6 AM
Ripe red lychees
Visiting Luc Ngan during the scorching summer days of late June and early July, the atmosphere is bustling and lively, and one can clearly see the hard work of the people of Bac Giang. Therefore, holding a delicious lychee in your hand makes you appreciate even more the effort of the farmers in planting and caring for the trees.
Move:From Hanoi, you can cross the Thanh Tri Bridge and continue on National Highway 1A. When you reach Bac Giang, go to Chu Town, Bac Giang, and find Son Hai Commune. Alternatively, you can take Provincial Road 279 in Chu, Bac Giang.
Vehicle:Motorbikes or cars are fine as the road is quite good and easy to navigate. The road to the lake and market is mostly paved with asphalt or concrete. There's a slightly dusty section, but it's probably nearing completion.
The lychee season lasts from around June to the end of July each year, making it one of the most beautiful times of the year in the lychee-growing region. Therefore, come to Bac Giang during this time to immerse yourself in the vast expanse of red lychees.
