The Forest’s Hidden Gem: How An Giang’s “Quả Gùi” Took the Urban Areas by Storm

27 June, 2025

From the Deep An Giang Forests to City Dining Tables

An Giang, renowned for its tram, truong, and bon bon fruits, also harbors a unique “secret” known as the gui fruit. This wild fruit grows abundantly in the old forests, especially on mountain slopes. When ripe, the gui fruit’s outer shell transforms into a golden hue, resembling a round, plump shape that could be mistaken for a leki ma fruit.

Each gui fruit, when cut open, reveals a deep yellow flesh divided into segments like a jackfruit, offering a delightful blend of sweet and sour flavors. It leaves a lingering, distinctive fragrance, making it a refreshing treat for locals during the hot season. Little did they know that this seemingly casual snack would one day become a coveted delicacy in urban areas.

The gui fruit’s deep yellow flesh is divided into segments, offering a blend of sweet and sour flavors with a lingering fragrance.

Gui—A Unexpectedly “Hunted” Delicacy in the City

Only in recent years, as culinary enthusiast groups began sharing images of the gui fruit online, did it capture the attention of discerning foodies in the city. With its unique appearance, intriguing flavor, and strong connection to the ancient forests, gui quickly became a sought-after delicacy, almost like a “fruit that tells a story.”

In wholesale markets and specialty shops, fresh gui fruit fetches a price of 100,000–150,000 VND/kg, double or triple the price in the growing regions. Even at this premium, supply often falls short of demand. As shared by Ms. Hong, a specialty shop owner in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, “Gui is an unusual fruit that has captivated many customers. Those who have tried it always come back for more, especially during hot weather.”

How to Fully Appreciate the Flavor of Gui Fruit?

Ripe gui fruit can be enjoyed directly or blended into a refreshing smoothie with ice and a touch of sugar. For a creative twist, combine gui with yogurt and chia seeds to make a delicious and healthy dessert.

However, it’s important to note that unripe gui fruit is not edible due to its bitter taste and the presence of latex. When purchasing, choose fruits with a uniform golden color, a soft texture, and a subtle fragrant aroma. Gui can be stored at room temperature for 2–3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Ripe gui fruit can be enjoyed directly or blended into refreshing smoothies.

Reviving a Native Delicacy

The resurgence of the gui fruit brings joy not only to food enthusiasts but also opens up new opportunities for mountain communities:

Additional income source from natural forests: During the season, locals can harvest 5–10 kg of gui fruit daily and sell it directly to traders in the forest.
Unleashing the potential of local specialties: Efforts are being made to research controlled propagation methods and establish more stable cultivation areas for gui.
Boosting eco-tourism: Groups of young people are organizing tours to explore the gui forests, offering a unique experience of harvesting and tasting the ripe fruit on-site.

Natural food expert Nguyen Bich Ha shared, “Gui is a vivid example that demonstrates how a specialty doesn’t need to be extravagant. By preserving its natural flavor and sharing its story, it can capture the hearts of modern consumers.”

Conclusion

Emerging from the depths of An Giang’s forests, the gui fruit is steadily establishing its place in the Vietnamese specialty market. Beyond its unique flavor, gui evokes a connection to the wild, untamed nature and conveys a sense of sincerity and warmth akin to its sweet and sour taste. Those who have had the pleasure of tasting it are unlikely to forget this delightful fruit anytime soon.