One of the main reasons American-born Hanna Larsen (known as “Na”) decided to leave Ecuador and return to live in Vietnam was to enjoy a beloved tropical fruit she could eat every day without getting tired of it: durian.

Hanna, 31, made waves on Vietnamese social media for her love story with Thanh Duc from Nghe An. The couple, now with two children, recently moved back to Vietnam after three years in Ecuador.

Hanna shared that her family decided to settle in southern Vietnam, where the climate resembles Ecuador's. Additionally, the diverse fruit selection in the South suits her vegan lifestyle.

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Hanna reveals that one reason for her return to Vietnam was her love for durian.

The American visitor confessed her love for durian and, during each visit to Vietnam, always seeks it out. After sampling various types of durian, she’s picked up a few tricks for selecting the best ones.

In her neighborhood, durian is available in two varieties, priced at 50,000 and 90,000 VND per kilogram. Hanna visits the market early, smelling and observing the fruit’s shape, then relies on vendor advice to select the perfect one.

"The vendor sincerely suggested I go for the 50,000 VND/kg durian, as they felt it had the best flavor, so I picked one weighing over 2 kg,” Hanna explained.

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Hanna takes her two daughters to a local market to buy durian.

Hanna’s choice was a variety known as "chuong bo," a local durian with a slightly round shape and pointed tail, typically weighing between 1-2.5 kg. This variety has a mild sweetness, creamy texture, and light-yellow flesh, though it’s less intensely sweet and more affordable than the Ri6 or milk durian varieties, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a subtler taste.

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The durian Hanna purchased.

Hanna expressed her excitement about finding a delicious durian and couldn’t wait to savor it.

"The durian is incredibly tasty, with a rich, creamy flavor. I think anyone would develop a taste for this fruit after trying it a few times. It’s sweet and also nutrient-rich," she said.

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The mother of two enjoying her favorite Vietnamese fruit.
(Photos by Na Yeu Viet Nam)

According to Hanna, durian is mainly grown in Vietnam’s Southeast, Mekong Delta, and Central Highlands regions, with varying types and price points. She noted that, compared to more familiar fruits like bananas and avocados, durian is pricier.

“If price weren’t an issue, I could eat durian every day and at any time - morning, noon, or night,” she shared with a laugh.

Hanna humorously added that her two daughters also enjoy durian, perhaps because she “ate plenty of it while pregnant.”

Thao Trinh