Hot weather, Nghe An coconut growing village 'harvests millions' every day

On a hot summer day, some people go to the countryside to buy coconuts. Photo by Viet Hung.

Taking advantage of the early morning when there is no sunlight, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang in Quynh Hau commune (Quynh Luu) pulls a modified cart to go around the countryside to buy coconuts. To pick the coconuts, Mr. Hoang has to climb to the top. This job is quite hard, even dangerous, but for Mr. Hoang, climbing so much has become familiar and it seems normal.

Mr. Hoang said that every year, around the beginning of April, he goes to buy coconuts. The tools to pick coconuts are very simple, just with a rope or parachute cord several dozen meters long and a knife, he can climb the tree, pick and move each bunch of coconuts to the ground easily. Currently in season, each day Mr. Hoang buys 150 - 200 coconuts. After a few days of selling out, he continues to buy.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang in Quynh Hau commune (Quynh Luu) is climbing to pick coconuts; on average, he buys 150 - 200 coconuts per day. Photo: Viet Hung

Quynh Luu is considered the province's largest "coconut granary", most concentrated in the communes of Quynh Hau, Quynh Thach, Quynh Thuan... Many families have 5-7 coconut trees planted in their gardens, each tree has an average of 3-5 bunches with about 100 fruits.

During hot weather, coconut growers not only pick them to make refreshing drinks, but also sell them to buyers for 5,000 - 7,000 VND/fruit.

The family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ha in Hamlet 9, Quynh Hau Commune is one of the households that grows the most coconuts in the commune. With 4 coconut trees bearing fruit, many people come to buy them at this time. This year, although the number of fruits is not as high as previous years, it is estimated to be more than 300 fruits; the purchase price is 1,000 - 2,000 VND/fruit higher than previous years, so this season her family earned 1.5 million VND.

On this occasion, each coconut growing household earns from 500,000 - 1,000,000 VND. Photo: Viet Hung

"My family has been growing coconut trees for decades. From February to July is the season for coconut trees to bear fruit. Coconut trees do not need to be cared for. After picking the fruit, we put salt in a plastic bag and place it on top. Like that, the next season, the coconut trees will grow into many bunches and bear fruit," Ms. Ha shared.

Not only in Quynh Luu, the coconut growing village in the coastal area of ​​Quynh Phuong ward (Hoang Mai town) is also in the fruit harvest season. Unlike other types of trees, coconut is very easy to grow, can live in many different regions, however, the coastal area is still considered the place where coconut is grown the most today.

Coconuts purchased at the garden cost from 5,000 to 7,000 VND/fruit, then buyers bring them to refreshment shops for 10,000 to 15,000 VND/fruit. Photo: Viet Hung

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh in Quynh Phuong Ward (Hoang Mai Town) said that his garden currently has 7 coconut trees planted by his ancestors. During the season, traders come to buy a lot; 1 tree usually has 4 bunches, at most 6 bunches with more than 120 fruits. If the family picks them themselves and sells them at markets or tourist beaches, each fruit costs from 12,000 to 15,000 VND; during the season, the daily income is 200,000 to 500,000 VND.

On the sidewalks, beverage stalls attract people; on average, a coconut costs 20,000 - 25,000 VND/fruit. Photo: Viet Hung

In hot weather, a glass of fresh coconut water will help people quench their thirst quickly. Therefore, at markets, schools, tourist areas... in Nghe An, there are many mobile refreshment stalls springing up. On average, 1 coconut costs from 15,000 - 25,000 VND/fruit. Coconut water has many benefits, in addition to reducing the risk of dehydration, it is also good for the heart, good for digestion and beautifying the skin, especially on hot summer days./.