A hopeful durian flowering season

Dong Nai province currently has about 23,000 hectares of durian cultivation. This “billion-dong-per-hectare” crop is now filling orchards and farms with its distinctive fragrance.

The durian orchard of farmer Nguyen Van Hien (left, from Bau Sen Quarter, Xuan Lap Ward) is about to come into full bloom. Photo: Diem Quynh

The durian harvest cycle lasts around 100–120 days from the time flower buds bloom. The stronger the flowers' fragrance, the higher and more uniform the fruit set, leading to a high-yield season.

The sweet scent of durian blossoms

In 2025, prolonged rainfall persisted until November. As a result, farmers had to stop irrigation to allow the soil to dry and prune branches to encourage the emergence of “mat cua”, known as young buds and growth points that form on branches and later develop into leaves or flowers.

Farmer Nguyen Van Tru (from Doi Riu Quarter, Hang Gon Ward, Dong Nai province) said that the first round of bud stimulation in late November and early December 2025 was ineffective for many orchards. Therefore, most growers continued water stress and pruning to trigger a second round in early January 2026. Although later than usual, this round met technical requirements. If more than 50% of buds on branches and trunks produce flowers and set fruit, the crop is considered on schedule, and there is no longer concern about late harvesting.

Roads leading to durian-growing areas in Doi Riu Quarter are now filled with the intense fragrance of blossoms. According to Hang Gon Ward authorities, the locality has more than 1,000 hectares of durian, with over 200 hectares in Doi Riu alone. Most durian-growing households now enjoy relatively prosperous living conditions.

Farmer Lam Chinh Loc (from Doi Riu Quarter) said his family’s 2.5 hectares of durian trees, now over 10 years old, generate more than VND 2 billion in annual income. Durian trees typically produce new shoots every 3 to 4 months, often coinciding with the flowering and early fruit-setting stages. If growers do not proactively manage or suppress shoot growth during flowering, the competition for nutrients from the young shoots can lead to high rates of flower and young fruit drop, ultimately reducing yields.

On basalt soil, Tran Van Tu (from Khac Khoan Hamlet, Phu Nghia Commune) began intercropping durian with pepper and coffee in 2015. In 2025, his three-hectare farm generated more than VND 1 billion per hectare from the three crops combined.

“Pepper, durian, and coffee are all valuable crops,” Tu said. “However, because intercropped durian still needs irrigation, stimulating buds is more difficult. In return, when the buds bloom, the flowers are strong, uniform, and fill the entire orchard with fragrance.”

He added that in early February, when durian and many other crops are in peak flowering season, beekeepers from the Mekong Delta and Dak Lak move their hives to local orchards, placing hundreds or even thousands of boxes. Among many flowers, durian blossoms are considered a premium source of natural honey.

“If a flowering round does not produce quality fruit, I remove it instead of keeping it,” Tu said. “My experience is to choose flowering periods that suit local soil and climate. In Nam Do Hamlet, late November and early lunar December are ideal for flowering and fruit selection. This endeavor ensures high yields and good-quality fruit without a spongy texture, which sells at better prices.”

Farmer Huynh Van Hai in Nam Do Hamlet, Dong Tam commune, Dong Nai province

High hopes for a bumper season

As durian enters peak flowering, growers are increasingly optimistic about both high yields and good prices.

Cao Van Tang, a durian trader in Phu Binh Quarter, Long Khanh Ward, said purchase prices vary by variety and quality. Monthong grade 1 ranges from VND 90,000–140,000 per kilogram, Ri6 from VND 50,000–70,000, and Dona from VND 60,000–90,000. Since most orchards in Dong Nai are currently in flowering and fruit-setting stages, early-harvest output remains limited.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Dong Nai currently has more than 23,000 hectares of durian under cultivation, with an output of approximately 250,000 tonnes. Major production areas include Thanh Son, Xuan Que, Hang Gon, Tan Phu, Cam My, Phu Vinh, Nam Cat Tien, Xuan Lap, Bu Dang, Phu Rieng, Bu Gia Map, Dak O, Phu Nghia, and Phu Trung. By 2030, the province aims to expand durian cultivation to around 30,000 hectares, with an expected output of about 360,000 tonnes.

Xuan Lap Ward alone has more than 200 hectares of durian, concentrated in Nui Do, Tan Thuy, Bau Sen, and Phu My quarters. According to Trinh Cao Khai, Director of the Xuan Lap Agriculture, Trade and Services Cooperative, all local durian orchards have been granted planting area codes by competent authorities. Farmers now follow VietGAP processes and participate in OCOP certification, ensuring products meet export standards.

Khai added that durian grown on rocky soil can achieve yields and quality comparable to those grown on loam soil. However, rocky soil allows easier water control, enabling earlier bud formation and flowering. What matters more than early or late flowering is harvesting during peak price periods.

Durian orchards in full bloom not only signal a promising harvest but also attract visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

Chairwoman of Xuan Lap Ward’s Farmers Association Tran Thi Hien.

Across durian-growing areas in Dong Nai during the flowering season, the air is filled with a sweet, lingering fragrance. Farmers’ optimism is evident in the dense clusters of blossoms hanging heavily from the branches. According to growers, warmer, drier weather intensifies the fragrance of the flowers and increases fruit set, making it easier to select and care for the fruit and promising a productive harvest.

By Diem Quynh – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho