Thanh Lan wild pineapples – A forest bounty in the open sea

13/08/2026 14:24

Amid the coastal primeval forests of Thanh Lan Island, summer brings a vibrant splash of yellow as wild pineapples ripen. Also known as wild pineapple, mountain pineapple or pandanus fruit, the plant belongs to the Pandanaceae family and has the scientific name Pandanus tectorius Sol. Growing naturally for many years, it has become a distinctive forest product of the island.

Harvesting wild pineapples requires skill and care, as the plants are covered in sharp spines and often grow in steep, densely vegetated areas.

Once simply a fruit growing wild in the island’s forests, Thanh Lan’s wild pineapple is now not only a source of income for many local households but is also gradually becoming a distinctive local specialty, contributing to the island’s identity and enriching the experiences of visitors to Co To Special Zone.

Many pineapple clumps on the island are more than a decade old and produce fruits weighing an average of 1–3 kg each.

Once a simple gift of nature, Thanh Lan’s wild pineapple is gradually becoming a distinctive local specialty, contributing to the development of the local economy and experiential tourism. Visitors can not only enjoy this unique fruit but also learn how local residents harvest, process and turn it into a variety of products.

According to traditional knowledge and traditional medicine, wild pineapple is considered cooling and is commonly used to help clear heat, detoxify the body and support diuretic functions, as well as in some traditional remedies. These properties are helping increase the value of the fruit and open up opportunities to develop a wider range of products from this distinctive local specialty.