Visitors enjoy mangosteen, one of the specialities of Bình Dương Province's Lái Thiêu Commune. A fruit festival will be held in mid June to introduce Bình Dương's fruit to the wider community, VNS Photo Trần Tình

BÌNH DƯƠNG -- The southern province of Bình Dương will draw crowds and showcase local produce at its Ripe Fruit Festival on June 15-22 in Thuận An City.

Around 100 booths are expected to sell local fruit to visitors, while many other activities will be organised such as a fruit fair and a culinary tourism marketplace with the theme 'Sweets of the South' during the week-long event.

At the event, local farmers will show off their fruit, along with products made from these fruits and seedlings. They will also display artistic fruit arrangements and bouquets along with ceramic and lacquer products and sell traditional dishes and drinks from Bình Dương and localities in the eastern and southwestern regions.

A beauty contest titled 'Charming Bình Dương' will also be held to find beautiful, graceful and talented women who represent the best characteristics of people from the province.

Other activities include a running event, a photo contest and exhibition, a southern folk music festival and nightly music and dance performances.

The Ripe Fruit Festival has been a traditional event for Bình Dương people and the region for many years. It allows farmers and gardeners alike to get a bite at the cherry, learning and gaining experience from like-minded growers.

The festival is also an opportunity to promote fruit-based specialties from Lái Thiêu Commune in Thuận An City. Of these, the most famous dish is mangosteen chicken salad, which has become very popular and is part of the draw for millions of tourists to the area.

According to local authorities, promotional activities from the festival also help support the economic, cultural and social development of Bình Dương. VNS