Golden Coconut Trees: A Festive Favorite for Vietnamese Tết
As Tết approaches, golden coconut trees become a popular choice for many Vietnamese families. These coconut trees are not just any ordinary trees; they are meticulously crafted by artisans to feature gold leaf, intricate dragon and phoenix designs, and auspicious wishes in red. Symbolizing prosperity and wealth, these golden coconut trees are believed to bring good fortune and are known for their long-lasting display.
The process of creating these stunning trees begins with carefully selecting the perfect coconut. The coconut must be just the right age, not too young or too old, and have a smooth surface. After selecting the ideal coconut, artisans apply glue all over it and patiently wait for it to dry. Once the glue is dry, they carefully attach the gold leaf, creating a luxurious and elegant finish. For added shine and protection, a final coat of lacquer is applied.
Golden coconut trees adorned with dragon and phoenix designs and auspicious red wishes.
According to experienced artisans, the best coconuts for this craft come from Northern Vietnam, as they have thicker shells and smaller husks compared to their Southern counterparts. These Northern coconuts can be displayed for a minimum of three months up to a year, making them a long-lasting decorative choice.
At Mr. Toàn’s coconut workshop in Tân Lập, Đan Phượng, Hanoi, intricate and meticulously crafted pairs of decorative coconuts are sold at wholesale for 1 million VND per pair. Smaller golden coconuts are priced at 200,000 VND per pair, while larger ones go for 500,000 VND per pair.
With nine years of experience in the golden coconut tree business, Mr. Toàn shared that he has already received numerous orders for the upcoming Tết holiday. To meet the high demand, he and his team are working tirelessly day and night to ensure timely delivery.
A stunning pair of golden coconuts with intricate and eye-catching decorations.
In the bustling streets of Hàng Mã in Hanoi, a pair of the most exquisite golden coconut trees can fetch up to 1 million VND per coconut. Simpler and smaller variations are also available, ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 VND per coconut. Despite the increasing supply and slight decrease in prices compared to previous years, golden coconut trees remain a popular choice for many customers due to their unique beauty and long-lasting display.
Northern Vietnamese Pomelos: A Stormy Season
In addition to golden coconut trees, many customers are willing to spend a small fortune on other exquisite fruits to decorate their ancestral altars during Tết.
Pomelos, a beloved fruit for altar decorations, are often crafted into unique shapes by skilled farmers. Common designs include gourd-shaped pomelos, gold bar-shaped pomelos, and pomelos engraved with auspicious words and the map of Vietnam.
A pair of gourd-shaped pomelos engraved with the words “Tài” and “Lộc,” symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Mr. Hoàng, a pomelo farmer from Thạch Thất, Hanoi, shared that creating these unique shapes requires more than six months of dedicated care and attention. From the moment the pomelo flowers bloom to the day of harvest, farmers must carefully select the most suitable fruits for shaping. The chosen pomelos must be round, have an attractive color, and possess a sturdy stem.
The process of shaping pomelos is a precise art, requiring the fruits to be protected from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn and discoloration. Any exposure to direct sunlight can cause the pomelos to drop prematurely or develop unsightly blemishes, ruining the desired shape.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hoàng’s pomelo farm was impacted by the third storm of the season, resulting in fruit drop, smaller fruits, and damaged crops. As a result, his farm was only able to produce approximately 500 pairs of shaped pomelos for the Tết holiday.
Online surveys reveal that shaped pomelos are slightly more expensive this year, with prices ranging from 1 to 3 million VND per pair, depending on the size and complexity of the design.
Apart from golden coconut trees and shaped pomelos, other unique and exotic fruits such as carved watermelons and shaped peaches are also gaining popularity for Tết fruit displays and offerings.
The Tết holiday and its traditions, including the iconic fruit displays, hold a special place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. The five-fruit tray, or “mâm ngũ quả,” is a beloved custom that brings warmth and color to the ancestral altar while embodying the wishes and aspirations of the family. With an abundance of delicious and nutritious fruits available today, the mâm ngũ quả has evolved to include more than just five fruits, often expanding to eight or even ten, each carefully selected to represent the family’s wishes for the new year.
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