Ornamental Pomelo Trees Highlight Tet Celebrations in Vietnam

This Tet holiday, ornamental pomelo trees have emerged as a popular attraction in the festive markets, with certain ancient trees fetching prices in the hundreds of millions of dong.

In Hung Yen, the primary area for ornamental pomelos in Vietnam, a striking tree in Hoang Dinh Chinh’s garden located in Van Giang District is priced at a remarkable 800 million VND (approximately $33,600).

The most distinguished tree in Chinh’s collection, affectionately called “Family Hearth,” is a centenarian easily recognized for its impressive height of 5 meters and a sprawling canopy that extends 6 meters wide. Its strong trunk and naturally arching branches give it a protective, roof-like appearance.

Its standout feature is the presence of over 600 golden-yellow pomelos, which adds to its impressive allure.

Chinh acquired this tree three years ago and now rents it out at premium prices each year.

Even with a tempting offer close to $25,000, Chinh has held out for a better deal, indicating its true worth.

Another notable tree in his collection, named “Hometown Roots,” has a price tag of 650 million VND ($27,300).

This tree, resembling a timeworn banyan tree from a village, is characterized by a broad canopy and a natural shape that symbolizes community strength and support.

It stands 4 meters tall and spans almost 4 meters wide, producing more than 200 naturally ripening pomelos without any grafting techniques.

Chinh shared that it required five years of which diligent care for this tree to display its fruit, stressing the difficulties of nurturing ornamental fruit trees.

“The fruit yield is largely influenced by climate. Sunny weather enhances fruit setting. Vigorous and robust trees yield larger and more visually appealing fruits,” he explained.

Beyond these prized trees, Chinh’s garden showcases various other attractive specimens.

Among them is the “Golden Throne,” valued at 500 million VND ($21,000), along with an array of unique tree shapes including straight trunks (dáng trực), cascading forms (dáng huyền), and designs steeped in symbolism like “Three Blessings” (tam đa) and “Five Blessings” (ngũ phúc).

These artistic forms captivate collectors and enthusiasts from across the country.

Veteran collector Nguyen Hoang noted, “An exquisite ornamental pomelo tree features a stout, aged trunk, a well-proportioned canopy, ripe golden fruit, and luxuriant green foliage.”

Many trees also have miniature landscapes at their bases, reflecting the serene charm of traditional Vietnamese villages.

The allure of ornamental pomelos is on the rise, reflecting their beauty and cultural importance, particularly tied to Tet customs and Feng Shui beliefs.