Dak Lak Durian Festival launches to boost agricultural exports

The 2026 Dak Lak Durian Festival has officially opened in Buon Ma Thuot, running through September 2. The event aims to promote the local durian brand, expand export markets, and enhance the global reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products through various activities, including exhibitions, trade forums, and garden tours.

Dak Lak currently manages approximately 41,000 hectares of durian, with an estimated output of nearly 500,000 tonnes for the 2025-2026 period. The sector contributed roughly 1.1 billion USD to Vietnam’s export turnover in 2025. Provincial leaders, including Chairman Do Huu Huy, emphasized a strategic shift from managing agricultural volume to managing agricultural value, focusing on quality, food safety, and traceability.

During a related forum, former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan warned against the risks of rapid, unmanaged expansion driven by high prices. He urged stakeholders—including farmers, businesses, and regulators—to collaborate to build a sustainable ecosystem rather than focusing solely on individual interests. He stressed that production capacity and acreage must not outpace quality control and management capabilities.