The agency will select one among Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam, Nghe An in the north-central region, Lam Dong in the Central Highlands and Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta. A survey team has visited all of them.

Though no specific produce has been identified, Kenta Harigai, chief engineer at Mitsui Consultants, which will provide technical support in the project, said lychee and mango are the two that can use Japan’s new freezing technology for preservation during the export process.

The technology uses ethanol solution, which is 20 times faster than the traditional freezing method and maintains the freshness of the fruits better, Japanese representatives said at a recent meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Times reported.