This Tet season, ornamental pomelo trees have taken center stage in the festive market, with some ancient specimens valued at hundreds of millions of dong.

In Hung Yen, Vietnam’s hub for ornamental pomelos, a tree at Hoang Dinh Chinh's garden in Van Giang District has been priced as high as 800 million VND (approximately $33,600).

A symbol of family unity

Among the hundreds of pomelo trees in Chinh's garden, the most valuable specimen, affectionately named "Family Hearth," is over 100 years old.

Standing 5 meters tall with a canopy spanning 6 meters, the tree boasts a straight trunk and natural, sheltering branches reminiscent of a protective roof.

What sets it apart is its abundance of over 600 golden-yellow pomelos, making it a true standout.

Chinh acquired the tree three years ago and has since rented it out annually at premium rates.

Despite a near $25,000 offer for the tree, Chinh has declined, hoping for a more deserving price.

Cultural and aesthetic treasures

Another remarkable tree in Chinh's garden, named "Hometown Roots," is priced at 650 million VND ($27,300).

This tree evokes the image of an ancient village banyan tree, with its wide canopy and natural form symbolizing community and protection.

Standing 4 meters tall and spreading nearly 4 meters, it bears over 200 naturally ripened pomelos without grafting.

Chinh explained that it took five years of meticulous care for the tree to bear fruit, emphasizing the challenges of cultivating fruit-bearing ornamental trees.

"Fruit production depends heavily on weather conditions. Sunny weather increases the fruit set rate. Strong and healthy trees produce larger, evenly sized, and visually appealing fruit," Chinh noted.

Craftsmanship and dedication

The garden’s treasures extend beyond these high-value trees.

Other noteworthy pieces include the "Golden Throne," valued at 500 million VND ($21,000), and a variety of unique tree shapes such as straight trunks (dáng trực), cascading forms (dáng huyền), and symbolic designs like the "Three Blessings" (tam đa) and "Five Blessings" (ngũ phúc).

These artistic and symbolically meaningful shapes attract enthusiasts nationwide.

Longtime collector Nguyen Hoang commented, "A beautiful ornamental pomelo tree has a stout, aged trunk, a large and balanced canopy, golden ripe fruit, and lush green leaves."

The base of some trees is adorned with miniature landscapes evoking the rustic charm and tranquility of Vietnamese villages.

The popularity of ornamental pomelos continues to grow as their beauty, cultural significance, and Feng Shui symbolism resonate with Tet traditions.

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The 'Family Haven' grapefruit tree is over 100 years old, standing 5 meters tall with a canopy spanning 6 meters.
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The grapefruit tree impresses with its upright trunk and naturally outstretched branches, resembling a protective roof.
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According to the owner, this is the only tree in the garden that bears more than 600 bright yellow grapefruits. He purchased this tree three years ago and has since rented it out annually at a high price.
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Mr. Chinh shared that although someone offered nearly VND 600 million for the tree, he declined the offer, hoping for a more deserving price.
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Another unique grapefruit tree in Mr. Chinh's garden, named 'Roots of the Homeland,' is valued at VND 650 million. The tree's shape resembles a village banyan tree, symbolizing protection and community.
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'This tree is over 100 years old, standing 4 meters tall with a canopy nearly 4 meters wide. Remarkably, it bears over 200 naturally ripened yellow grapefruits, ungrafted. It was grown in the garden for three years before being transferred to a pot and nurtured for another two years to produce fruit,' Mr. Chinh said.
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Mr. Chinh noted that caring for ornamental trees, especially fruit trees, requires meticulousness and patience. Fruit setting is challenging and highly dependent on the weather. The more sunlight, the higher the fruit-setting rate. Additionally, a healthy tree is essential for large, uniform, shiny, and attractive fruits.
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The miniature landscape beneath the grapefruit tree evokes the simple and peaceful beauty of the countryside.
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The 'Royal Throne' ornamental grapefruit tree is expected to sell for VND 500 million. Long-time grapefruit tree enthusiast Nguyen Hoang commented, 'A beautiful ornamental grapefruit tree has an old, large, sturdy trunk. Its canopy should be wide, with evenly ripened golden fruits and vibrant green leaves that captivate the eye.
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In addition to the hundred-million-VND grapefruit trees, Mr. Chinh's garden also features many other unique tree shapes, such as upright, 'Tam Da' (Three Blessings), 'Ngu Phuc' (Five Blessings), cascading, tea table styles, and more. These trees are not only visually appealing but also carry auspicious feng shui meanings, attracting ornamental tree enthusiasts from across the country to purchase them for the Lunar New Year of 2025.

Trong Tung