How to Pick Pumpkin Shoots in Vietnam Vietnam Vegetable

How to Pick Pumpkin Shoots in Vietnam Vietnam Vegetable with mr.hotsia

On my latest Vietnam trip, one of the most vivid and memorable moments was seeing the local way of picking pumpkin shoots, a lifestyle and wisdom of rural Vietnamese villagers that I rarely get to see in big cities. Of course, mr.hotsia did not miss the chance to experience this method firsthand and share it through direct experience from the field.

I traveled out of the bustling big city towards rural areas where traditional agricultural lifestyles still prevail. In northern and central Vietnam, farmers grow pumpkins in small plots and carefully tend to them, especially picking pumpkin shoots, which are tender and highly nutritious.

When mr.hotsia arrived at the pumpkin patch, I met an elder villager skillfully picking pumpkin shoots by hand. The tip he shared was to pick the shoots when the pumpkin is not fully grown yet because if it grows too much, the shoots become tough and the taste changes. Fresh pumpkin shoots can be used in various dishes such as stir-fries, soups, or even in delicious curries I have tasted at Vietnamese fresh markets.

The picking method does not require any complex tools—just gently twisting the shoot by hand to detach it from the stem without damaging the pumpkin plant, allowing it to continue growing multiple layers. I observed that before picking, villagers select shoots of just the right size—not too small and not too large—to ensure crisp, tasty shoots without tough stems that interfere with cooking.

What I really appreciated was the growers' attention to detail here. They said that properly harvesting pumpkin shoots is not just about selling them but preserving the quality of the crops for sustained future yields. This perspective I learned and experienced closely from villagers in Lang Son Province, which I have written about in a previous article.Lang Son Province, VietnamBesides high mountains and fresh air, the area also has an interesting agricultural lifestyle.

For a traveler like me, walking into a pumpkin patch and picking shoots by hand was a unique experience and a connection that deepened my understanding of rural Vietnamese life. Moreover, talking with locals opened my perspective on agriculture and local vegetable-based foods, which have flavors and freshness hard to find elsewhere.

mr.hotsia's Perspective on Deep Travel

Many might think traveling to Vietnam means visiting big cities or famous tourist spots like Dalat with its beautiful Buddhist temples or Nha Trang with its stunning beaches, as I have previously written aboutBuddhist Temples in DalatandNha Trang Sea BeachBut for me, experiencing rural villagers' lives and participating in small activities like picking pumpkin shoots made this trip more meaningful.

Vietnam is a country with amazing geographical and cultural diversity—from modern big cities to simple rural lifestyles. I believe such deep travel helps us see the true beauty of this country and promotes sustainable tourism.

If anyone wants to try an experience like mine, I recommend visiting rural areas in northern Vietnam, such as Lang Son Province, where I stayed at a small, affordable hotel in Lang Son city and strolled through local markets to find simple foods. You will see nature, mountains, and impressive agricultural lifestyles.Read more about Lang Son here

Don't miss the fresh pumpkin shoot picking method in the video clip

For those who want to see how pumpkin shoots are picked in Vietnam, I recommend watching the video I compiled on my YouTube channel. This clip shows detailed steps and provides more knowledge.How to Pick Pumpkin Shoots in Vietnam Vietnam Vegetable

Besides vegetables, if you are a foodie, I also have several recommended Vietnamese food clips, such as grilled button squid and Vietnamese chicken biryani, which will make you drool and want to follow me to taste them in person.Vietnamese Grilled Button SquidandVietnamese Chicken Biryani

mr.hotsia's Impressions Summary

Seeing and trying to pick pumpkin shoots in rural Vietnam is not just about nature tourism but learning about lifestyles, knowledge, and culture connected to food and agricultural sustainability. I, mr.hotsia, recommend everyone open their hearts and travel to experience this. I guarantee you will love Vietnam more and have special new stories beyond usual travel.