An apricot tree for sale

Duong Minh Dung, owner of an apricot garden in Cu Chi District said that he has over 100 apricot trees, including several old ones valued at hundreds of million dong.

"Our customers can buy or rent the trees for Tet decorations," Dung said. "We're having more rental bookings this year as customers said that they couldn't afford to buy the trees. They will only have to pay VND10 million for a tree which costs VND100 million."

The farmer said that he prefers to rent the trees as he wants to keep those beautiful trees that he has spent lots of time and effort taking care of.

On Mai Chi Tho Street in Thu Duc District some gardeners are also busy trimming the bonsai trees before renting them out to customers during Tet.

Garden owner Quynh Hoa said that over 80 percent of the trees would be rented this year while only 20 percent left is for sale.

"More customers are renting bonsai trees this year due to limited budgets, "each grapefruit tree in my garden costs between VND30-50 million, but customers will have to pay only between VND3-5 million if they rent one."
 
Most gardens are introducing the trees on their Facebook fan page or Zalo app. Customers can tell their requirements and budget and negotiate with sellers online or directly visit the gardens to choose one.

"Renting orders are up some 20 percent compared to last year," Hoa said.

Le Huu Thien, Director of Mai Binh Loi Collective in Binh Chanh District said that there were about 500 households growing apricot trees on an area of 600 hectares.

"Many people are earning good incomes from growing bonsai," he said. "We're seeing more people from neighbouring localities come and grow bonsai in our area thanks to the fertile soil."

Source: Dtinews