Thanh Chuong's specialty is late-ripening mandarin oranges.

(Baonghean.vn) - Thanh Chuong is a mountainous district with many types of specialty fruits. Among them, the "cam bu" orange is famous for its unique aroma and ripening just in time for Tet (Lunar New Year). Because of this, "cam bu" oranges are currently very expensive and in high demand.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhat's mandarin orange orchard in Hamlet 6, Thanh Nho Commune, Thanh Chuong District, ripened just in time for Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Dinh Ha

This year, as Tet approaches, Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhat's family in Hamlet 6, Thanh Nho Commune, Thanh Chuong District, is very happy because their children and grandchildren who work far away have returned home. Along with the atmosphere of family reunion for Tet, he also regularly welcomes customers and traders from near and far who come to buy pomelos. Although he doesn't run a farm, his pomelo orchard at home yields about 5 quintals of fruit.

Mr. Nhat is just one of many households in Thanh Nho commune, Thanh Chuong district, that still preserve the native mandarin orange variety. Many other households here have successfully grown mandarin oranges, such as Mr. Vo Van Ky and Mr. Vo Van Mau in Hamlet 10, each with over 50 trees bearing fruit. Mr. Ky said that mandarin oranges used to be the main specialty of this area. After many changes, especially migration and relocation, several decades ago only one mandarin orange tree remained in his garden. However, recognizing its advantages, he propagated it for his family and other people in the area.

Customers buying oranges at the orchard. Photo: Dinh Ha

Besides Thanh Nho commune and the communes in the Cat Ngan area of ​​Thanh Chuong district, the pomelo tree is also a crop that provides a good income for the 5th Youth Volunteer Brigade in Thanh Thuy commune. Currently, the entire unit has nearly 30 hectares, mainly planted with the Huong Son pomelo variety from Ha Tinh, which is distinguished by its larger fruit compared to the local pomelo.

According to orange growers and consumers, the biggest advantage of the "cam bu" orange is that it ripens just in time for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), has an attractive yellow-red color, is easy to peel, has juicy segments that are easy to separate, and can be used without a knife. Most importantly, it has a distinctive, unmistakable aroma. The peel of the "cam bu" orange, similar to that of the "quat" fruit, can be used as a spice or medicine. Because of these advantages, "cam bu" oranges command a high price and are very easy to sell.

Customers choose to buy pomelos at the market. Photo: Dinh Ha

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Long, a member of the 5-person Youth Volunteer Brigade, who owns nearly 1 hectare of mandarin oranges, the wholesale price is 50,000 VND/kg, while the retail price can reach 60,000 VND/kg. Besides selling at local markets, she and many other team members also use cars to transport oranges to sell in Vinh City and other districts. Ms. Long estimates that the income from this mandarin orange harvest could exceed 200 million VND.

Amidst the vibrant colors of the Lunar New Year market, the pomelo oranges from Thanh Chuong are still warmly received and trusted by the locals, with almost everything sold out as soon as it's available.

Tran Dinh Ha