According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of Hanoï, the citrus planted area of Vietnam is covering 60 000 ha, for an overall output of 380 000 tons. This figure, published for 1995 is only considering the "established orchards" and does not include the countless backyard trees in mixed cropping systems. South Vietnam alone accounts for 62% of this planted area with a corresponding crop amounting to 73% of the national citrus output. South Vietnamese citrus orchards are concentrated into five provinces of the Mekong Delta River, i.e. Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Dong Thap. The citrus production in these provinces is being actively developed, in spite of various technical problems.To improve the productivity and durability of this valuable citrus agrobusiness, a programme aiming at the production of elite planting material was recently initiated.