Earn half a billion VND annually from caring for and renting out ancient peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations.

MarketRenting farmland, a model that provides a stable source of income.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, when the east wind still lingers coldly on the raised mounds of earth, the garden of Mr. Le Van Hoan (born in 1971, residing in Trung Lien Hamlet, Vinh Hung Ward) takes on a vibrant spring-like appearance. More than 140 ancient peach trees stand side by side, their gnarled, moss-covered trunks and gracefully curving branches adorned with countless plump, ripe peach buds, promising to bloom just in time for spring.

Having worked in the ornamental plant, shade tree, and garden tree business for decades, Mr. Hoan has noticed a significant increase in the demand for renting ancient peach blossom trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations. Not only affluent families, but also many agencies, businesses, restaurants, and hotels prefer renting peach blossom trees to decorate their spaces for the Spring festival. According to Mr. Hoan, the reason lies not only in the aesthetic value of ancient peach blossom trees but also in the economic aspect.

“Buying a mature, ancient peach tree is very expensive, and if you don't have experience caring for it, the tree can easily wither and die after Tet, or fail to bloom at the right time the following year. Renting a peach tree is different; the price is only about half the actual value of the tree, and you return it after Tet, without worrying about after-sales care,” Mr. Hoan shared. Based on this experience, he decided to invest systematically: buying fertile soil, improving the garden, and specializing in caring for and renting out ancient peach trees for Tet.

Currently, each ancient peach blossom tree in Mr. Hoan's garden is rented out for 5-20 million VND/15 days during Tet (Lunar New Year), depending on its shape, age, and size. In addition, he also provides peach blossom tree care services for local people, charging 1.5-5 million VND/tree/year. With over 140 trees in his garden, most of which have already been reserved by customers, the peach blossom tree rental business provides a stable and much higher income than growing short-term crops. It is expected that these ancient peach blossom trees will bring him approximately half a billion VND this Tet season.

A meticulous craft, a gamble with the weather.

However, behind the blossoming peach branches during Tet (Lunar New Year) lies a meticulous and arduous process, requiring a deep understanding of tree growth. According to Mr. Hoan, ancient peach trees are very "fussy." Every year, after Tet, the entire tree is dug up from its pot and returned to the garden for recovery. The tree is heavily pruned, the soil is replaced, and organic fertilizer is applied to regain its strength. About two months later, when the tree begins to sprout, the caretaker continues to prune the branches and shape the canopy.

"On average, we have to prune the trees about four times a year. From April of the lunar calendar, we start shaping the canopy and manually trimming the branches of each tree. Around October of the lunar calendar, we prune the trees, turning the roots to stimulate new root growth, and then strip the leaves so the tree can focus on nourishing the flowers," Mr. Hoan said. Each step must be carefully planned, because even a delay of a few days can cause the flowers to bloom out of season for Tet, resulting in a "poor harvest."

Caring for ancient peach trees depends not only on technique but also heavily on the weather. In years when the cold weather arrives early, growers have to adjust the timing of leaf stripping to be later; in years with prolonged warm weather, they have to prune the trees early to prevent the flowers from blooming before Tet (Lunar New Year). “Ancient peach trees are very difficult to manage; caretakers must be able to ‘read’ the weather, observe the tree, and predict its growth rate to determine the right time for leaf stripping. This year is a leap year, and the weather has been unpredictable with prolonged periods of rain and storms, directly affecting the growth of ancient peach trees.”

For almost a month now, the sun has been shining continuously, and the temperature has risen, creating a risk of peach blossoms blooming prematurely. To ensure the peach blossoms bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year), I have to closely monitor each tree, adjust the watering regime, provide shade, and control the growth. Every small deviation can disrupt the entire peach crop, directly affecting the economic efficiency of a year of care," Mr. Hoan said.

The work doesn't stop once the flowers have bloomed. Starting in mid-December, Mr. Hoan is busy preparing the means and manpower to transport the peach trees to the customers' homes. Each ancient peach tree, some weighing several hundred kilograms, requires careful handling, securing, and placing them in the correct position as requested by the customers. By the 15th day of the first lunar month, when the Tet holiday atmosphere gradually subsides, he travels around collecting each tree, bringing them back to the garden to continue the new care cycle.

The growing market demand is prompting Mr. Hoan to continue renovating his adjacent garden to expand its area and increase the number of ancient bonsai peach trees in the coming years. Not only does he rent out peach trees, but during Tet (Lunar New Year), he also undertakes garden renovation and decoration projects for households and offices, diversifying his income from the bonsai business.

After directly visiting the model of caring for and renting ancient peach trees in Vinh Hung ward, Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Farmers' Association - assessed: “The model of renting ancient peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) is a suitable direction for current consumer trends. This method helps farmers reduce risks compared to selling outright, extends the value of the trees, and improves economic efficiency on the same cultivated area. This model requires technical skills and experience, but if done properly, it will bring a stable income and has the potential to be replicated.”

"

“The model of renting out ancient peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) is a suitable approach in line with current consumer trends. This method helps farmers reduce risks compared to selling outright, extends the value of the trees, and improves economic efficiency on the same cultivated area. This model requires technical skills and experience, but if done properly, it will bring a stable income and has the potential to be replicated.”

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Farmers' Association

Amidst a shift in consumer demand from ownership to seasonal use, the practice of renting ancient peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations is proving effective as a unique economic model. These trees not only satisfy the demand for flower viewing during Tet but also create stable livelihoods, enhance the value of ornamental plants, contribute to diversifying income sources for those involved in the trade, and establish a production model suitable for the market in many localities within the province.