Enduring love for Tan Trieu pomelo trees

The clusters of pomelos laden with fruit are a testament to the enduring vitality of the Tan Trieu pomelo tree on the alluvial soil along the Dong Nai River. In the photo: Tran Van Hung (right) introduces the Tan Trieu pomelo tree to visitors.

In that place, the pomelo tree is not only a source of livelihood for the people but also a memory, a spiritual heritage passed down from generation to generation, linked to the many ups and downs of the riverside village. For many people in Tan Trieu, including Tran Van Hung, each pomelo tree is a part of the blood and flesh of their homeland.

Preserving the craft of our ancestors

Born and raised in the fertile land of Tan Trieu, where endless rows of lush green pomelo orchards stretch out of sight, Tran Van Hung (in Vinh Hiep neighborhood, Tan Trieu ward) seems to have been steeped in the fragrance of pomelo since birth. Three generations of his family have been devoted to pomelo cultivation, so the scent of early-season blossoms, the buzzing of bees in the morning sunlight, and the image of his father patiently pruning branches and fertilizing roots have become deeply etched memories in his mind.

During the years he was away from home on assignment, amid the busyness of life, he constantly longed for his old garden. He remembered the blooming white blossoms of pomelo season, the feeling of walking barefoot on the cool alluvial soil, and the sweet, mellow taste of the fruit that had nourished generations of his family. And when he completed his journey of work and returned to his hometown after years of wandering, Hung rediscovered an enduring yet straightforward joy: tending to each pomelo tree, watching clusters of fruit grow under the sun and wind, as if reliving the full beauty of his childhood.

“I was born and raised in Tan Trieu, and since childhood I’ve been familiar with pomelo orchards and the scent of pomelo blossoms. No matter where I go, I always miss my hometown and the orchards. When I retired and returned to growing pomelo, I felt like I was slowing down and living true to what I’ve been connected to since childhood,” Hung shared.

Currently, on an area of ​​over 1.5 hectares, Tran Van Hung cultivates the traditional pomelo variety known for its sweet, orange-leafed fruit, which has brought fame to the Tan Trieu region. Thanks to meticulous care, adherence to technical procedures, and years of accumulated experience, his pomelo orchard consistently yields fruit with a beautiful appearance and a characteristic sweet, refreshing taste. Each year, the orchard generates nearly half a billion VND in revenue, becoming a solid economic foundation for his family.

However, for Hung, the most outstanding value doesn't lie in the income figure. What has troubled him and kept him dedicated for many years is preserving his family's traditional craft, ensuring that the Tan Trieu pomelo tree doesn't disappear amidst the whirlwind of urbanization and the fluctuations of the agricultural market.

"Every pomelo tree holds a memory for me. As long as I can still catch the scent of pomelo blossoms drifting in the wind, I feel at peace, and I feel that my homeland remains whole," Hung confided. To him, each blooming season is a slice of time, evoking memories of his roots and of the challenging yet deeply meaningful days in his riverside village along the Dong Nai River.

The sweetness of hard work and tradition

Not content with simply enriching his family, Tran Van Hung is always willing to share his pomelo seedlings, techniques, and experience with the people around him. He believes that pomelo cultivation can only be truly sustainable when the entire region develops in tandem and when the people collaborate to maintain the quality and reputation of the Tan Trieu pomelo brand.

From seed selection and flowering management to pest and disease control, harvesting, and preservation, he wholeheartedly guides new farmers in the profession. For him, the continuation of pomelo cultivation is not just an economic matter, but also a way for future generations to remember their roots and preserve the flavor of their homeland, which has nurtured them for generations.

However, alongside the joy of bountiful harvests, Hung also couldn't hide his concern about the market for his product. "I really hope that Tan Trieu pomelos will have a stable market and sustainable prices, so that farmers can confidently invest in, care for, and better develop the value of the pomelo tree," Hung shared.

According to Hung, only when the market is stable can pomelo growers feel secure in maintaining their profession in the long term, avoiding the situation of cutting down the specialty crop to pursue short-term crops.

Thanks to the diligent efforts and sweat of farmers like Tran Van Hung, the Tan Trieu pomelo variety, which serves as the pride of Dong Nai province, continues to be preserved and reach farther afield, becoming a widely recognized specialty brand. Within each plump pomelo lies not only the sweetness of the fruit, but also the sweetness of tireless labor, of steadfast loyalty to the craft and to the homeland.

“My joy lies not only in the bountiful pomelo harvests but also in the proud eyes of the younger generation when they mention the pomelo of their homeland. Because as long as young people still know how to love and cherish the Tan Trieu pomelo, our homeland will continue to be nurtured in every breath of life today.”

Tran Van Hung (resident of Tan Trieu ward)

Amidst the ever-changing pace of modern life, the enduring love for Tan Trieu pomelo trees of farmers like Tran Van Hung is a silent but strong thread connecting the past with the present, preserving the soul of the countryside on the alluvial land along the Dong Nai River.

By Hien Luong – Translated by Quoc Dung, Minho