The locals shared that in Trang Viet, there are numerous households cultivating fruit trees, but the red grapefruit variety found in Dong Cao village is particularly blessed by nature. This unique grapefruit boasts a distinct color and fragrance. What sets this grapefruit apart is its transformation from green to yellow around August to September, then to pink in October, and finally, a vibrant red just in time for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Trang Viet commune in Me Linh district, Hanoi, is renowned for its “red grapefruit fit for royalty.” Gardeners in Dong Cao village create unique shapes, such as “talent” and “fortune,” to supply consumers during the traditional New Year celebrations.
Mr. Luong Van Phuong of Dong Cao village, Trang Viet commune, Me Linh district, Hanoi, shared: “The origin of the red grapefruit in Dong Cao village dates back about 70 years. In recent years, we have started experimenting with shaping the grapefruit into various forms, such as gold bars, the Chinese characters for ‘talent’ and ‘fortune,’ gourd shapes, and other aesthetically pleasing designs.”
However, according to Mr. Phuong, the supply of red grapefruit from Dong Cao (Trang Viet commune, Me Linh, Hanoi) to the market will be very limited this year due to the severe damage caused by the third storm of the season.
“My family and the other villagers have suffered significant losses due to the impact of the third storm. My household alone lost 60% of our yield, amounting to over one billion VND. The grapefruit that we carefully nurtured and hung up remains of good quality when it reaches our customers,” he added.
Gardeners expressed their regret over the impact of the third storm on their harvest.
Mr. Phuong further expressed his regret, saying, “The floodwaters inundated the shaped grapefruits. In just one night, almost all the shaped grapefruits in my garden were ruined. Out of over 3,000 shaped grapefruits, only about 100 remain. Fortunately, the floodwaters did not harm the trees or their ability to bear fruit in the future,” Mr. Phuong shared.
According to the farmer, this year’s yield was affected by the storm, resulting in lower productivity. Additionally, the demand has increased as people from other provinces have become aware of the brand. As of now, 80% of Mr. Phuong’s red grapefruits have been sold to traders, leaving only 20% for his regular customers who place orders annually.
Here are some photos taken by our reporters in the Dong Cao grapefruit-growing area:
Mr. Trong Tai, a visitor, was captivated by the grapefruits shaped like the Chinese character for “fortune.”
The shaped grapefruits have already been ordered by customers.
The shaped grapefruits were devastated by the third storm.
Only the shaping molds remain on the branches.
Due to the impact of the third storm, the supply of red grapefruit is scarce, causing a significant price increase for both regular and shaped grapefruits.
Red grapefruit trees start bearing fruit after three years of planting. Some trees, with ages ranging from 50 to 60 years, can yield 250 to 300 fruits per year. However, due to the storm, the farmers were left with almost nothing.
To achieve a beautiful color, gardeners wrap the grapefruits in closed bags. This practice also helps protect the fruit from pests and diseases that could damage their outer appearance.
The price of regular red grapefruit has increased by 20%, from 80,000 to 100,000 VND per fruit (garden price). Meanwhile, the price of shaped red grapefruit has doubled, ranging from 450,000 to 500,000 VND per fruit.
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