Durian at a farm in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Photo by Manh Khuong
Cai Mon, a popular durian type from Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta, has been voted as one of Vietnam’s best-rated fruits by readers of international travel magazine TasteAtlas.
This durian comes in two main varieties: Monthong and Ri6.
According to TasteAtlas, the Ri6 variety is elliptical with long, sparse spikes, while the Monthong variety is oblong with a pointed top.
Cai Mon durian is favored for its sweet, rich flavor and thick flesh, with some describing its taste as reminiscent of cow’s milk. The fruit also contains relatively few seeds.
In Vietnam, Cai Mon durians are typically harvested between June and September, and during this period, they are widely sold along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and throughout the Mekong Delta.
Known for its large size, strong aroma, and thorn-covered rind, durian is often referred to as the “king of fruits” in many Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Thailand. It is commonly used to prepare specialties such as durian cakes, puffs, ice cream, shaved ice, fritters, and Tempoyak (fermented durian).
Ben Tre’s coconut is rated as the best fruit in Vietnam, followed by Phan Thiet’s dragon fruit and Hoa Loc mango from Tien Giang Province.
The magazine notes that its food rankings are based on audience ratings, with mechanisms in place to identify genuine users, filter out bots and overly patriotic local ratings, and assign additional weight to ratings from recognized knowledgeable users.
The aim is to celebrate exceptional local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and inspire curiosity about lesser-known culinary experiences.
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