Since the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, gardens in Thuan Thai residential group, An Nhon Dong ward, have filled with trucks returning apricot trees of varying conditions, some still budding, others freshly spent, for immediate pruning, soil replacement and canopy reshaping.
Many growers face heavy losses. On more than 2 sao of land, Bui Xuan Tan and his wife, Ho Thi Hanh, are restoring over 800 trees aged 4-10 years. Two late-2025 storms and floods caused premature blooming, leaf loss and broken pots, leaving the couple with sales of only 26 trees worth 12 million VND (about USD 480), against an investment of more than 60 million VND (about USD 2,400).
Nearby, brothers Tran Van Vinh’s 800-tree garden earned less than 9 million VND (about USD 360) during the holiday. “It was a failure”, he said, adding that he has had to borrow money to continue. “If we don’t take care of the trees now, they’ll wither”.
Growers in An Nhon Bac ward fared slightly better but still faced a steep market decline. Veteran cultivator Nguyen Ngoc Hien sold nearly 200 of his 3,000 trees, noting a continued drop in purchasing power that worsened this year.
Local data reflect the slump. An Nhon Bac, home to 150 hectares of apricot cultivation, recorded revenues of only 89 billion VND (about USD 3.6 million) for the 2026 Tet season, a fall of roughly 40 billion VND (about USD 1.6 million) from last year.
Ward chairman Nguyen Anh Dung described the period as one of the most challenging in recent memory, citing both weakened consumer spending and the dual impact of storms and flooding that reduced flower quality.
Authorities in An Nhon Bac have advised growers not to expand acreage and instead focus on stabilizing current production while the ward reviews land use and evaluates long-term economic efficiency.
In An Nhon Dong ward, which cultivates 131 hectares with more than 800,000 apricot trees, poor demand forced many farmers to transport their goods to other provinces rather than selling along major roads as in previous years. Vice chairman Phan Long Hung said natural disasters and livestock-related disease outbreaks, including African swine fever, further dampened purchasing power.
Post-Tet, growers are providing tree-care services to regular customers to support income while tending their own gardens. Despite uncertainty, many continue their meticulous seasonal regimen, defoliation, pruning, fertilizing and shaping, holding onto hopes that careful stewardship will yield a more vibrant Tet season ahead.
