Hanoi kumquat village hectic as Tet approaches

As Tet (Lunar New Year holiday) nears, Tu Lien village – the “capital of kumquat trees” in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, is bustling as growers offer their ornamental kumquat trees to the market.

Symbolizing prosperity, the kumquat tree is selected by most Vietnamese families to adorn their houses during Tet.

From the end of December and the beginning of January, Tu Lien villagers start their busiest time of year as they have to trim and tend the ornamental trees for the most important festival of Vietnamese people. When the kumquat fruits start turning yellow, the trees are transferred to the pots best satisfying the customers’ taste.

Being known for the traditional job of ornamental kumquat tree plantation, the village currently has about 400 households cultivating the trees with a total area of up to 20 hectares.

According to the growers, this year’s warm weather has helped kumquat fruits ripen nicely.

Quynh Trang, owner of a kumquat farm in Tu Lien village, has been cultivating and trading kumquat trees for nearly 30 years. Her garden has about 200 trees, all with fruits turning yellow.

“The price of kumquat trees hasn't changed much compared to last year. In my garden, depending on the size and shape, the trees are priced from VND1.5-6 million ($61-250), including pot," said Trang.

“The current favorable weather is ideal for kumquat trees to evenly bear ripe, nice and vibrant yellow fruits,” she added.

According to owner of Nam Thuy kumquat farm, Nguyen Thanh Nam, who has been in the ornamental kumquat business in Tu Lien village for six years, the prices this year vary significantly, ranging from VND500,000 to VND7 million ($20-290).

“To supply ornamental kumquat trees for the Lunar New Year, I, like any other grower, have put a lot of effort and labor into taking care of the trees throughout the year. Working hard all year round, but harvesting just once a year, so all of us hope for a bountiful season," Nam said.

Clay pots crafted in famous pottery villages such as Phu Lang and Bat Trang are chosen carefully by customers to match nicely with the ornamental trees.

To meet the diverse preferences of customers, many garden owners in Tu Lien village have introduced various types of kumquat arrangements this year such as kumquat in flower vases, jars, trays and kumquat bonsai.