The crispy persimmon season starts from the end of August to the end of October every year. This year, the weather is favorable and people actively apply science and technology to production, the persimmon crop has high yield, stable purchase price, everyone is excited.

Crispy persimmon season starts from late August to the end of October every year.

In the early days of September, the weather is cool, which is also the time when people in Tan Yen commune, Thao Nguyen ward (old Moc Chau district, Son La province) enter the harvest season of crispy persimmons. Throughout the persimmon gardens, people are busy picking, classifying and transporting persimmons to the collection point. The golden, plump, smooth-skinned and sweet persimmons are the result of a meticulous care process.

In sub-area 34, Tan Yen commune, Mr. Pham Van Quyet's family currently owns more than 4 hectares of crispy persimmons of the Fuji variety - a famous persimmon variety originating from Japan. "This year the weather is favorable, pests and diseases are controlled, each tree harvests from 1.5 to 2 quintals of fruit. On average, each hectare brings in revenue from 400 to 500 million VND," Mr. Quyet shared.

Mr. Quyet's family is one of the pioneers in switching to growing crispy persimmons since 2009, initially with only 80 trees. Thanks to the application of modern science and technology such as automatic watering systems, fruit wrapping to prevent fruit flies and compliance with VietGAP procedures, the productivity and quality of persimmons have been significantly improved.

Crispy persimmons are currently grown mainly in Tan Yen commune and Thao Nguyen ward, with a total area of ​​nearly 100 hectares. Many gardens have achieved a yield of 10 to 14 tons/ha. Fuji and MC1 persimmon varieties (MC - Moc Chau) produce large, evenly sized fruits, sweet, not astringent, with thin and crispy skin, very popular in the market.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Van - Director of Moc Chau Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative - said: "Our cooperative is cultivating more than 3 hectares of crispy persimmons in an organic way. The persimmons are not only beautiful in appearance but also retain the unique flavor of Moc Chau. Thanks to safe production, we have signed stable consumption contracts with supermarkets and wholesale markets."

The price of crispy persimmons at the beginning of the season ranges from 60,000 to 80,000 VND/kg, and in the middle of the season it remains at 30,000 to 50,000 VND/kg depending on the size and quality of the fruit. Thanks to the good price, farmers are confident in investing in expanding the area and improving cultivation techniques.

In addition to consuming fresh persimmons, many households and cooperatives also promote deep processing to increase product value. Quyet Thanh Agricultural Cooperative has invested in a modern cold-drying line to produce dried persimmons - a product favored by customers in and outside the province.

“Our dried persimmons retain their natural sweetness and softness without using any preservatives. The product has now achieved 4-star OCOP certification and is sold at specialty stores and agricultural fairs nationwide,” said a representative of the cooperative.

Crispy persimmons have become a prominent specialty, bringing a stable source of income to farmers.

Not only developing agricultural products, the crispy persimmon season is also the time to attract tourists to Moc Chau plateau. The gardens of persimmons full of fruit, bright yellow in the middle of the mountains and forests create a poetic scene, becoming an ideal check-in location for tourists, especially young people.

Ms. Nguyen Nhat Khanh - a tourist from Hanoi - shared: "Being able to pick fresh persimmons, enjoy them right in the garden and immerse myself in the fresh nature is a very memorable experience. I bought more than 5 kg of persimmons to bring back as gifts."

From an imported variety, crispy persimmon has now become a specialty crop, a symbol of the Son La highlands. Building the brand “Moc Chau crispy persimmon” is being invested in by Son La province, from product packaging to image promotion at domestic agricultural fairs.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province said: “We are supporting households and cooperatives to produce according to VietGAP and organic standards and gradually shift to smart production, tracing origin using QR codes. At the same time, we are expanding connections with e-commerce platforms and large supermarket chains.”

Crispy persimmons are not only a stable source of income for local people, but also a highlight in the journey of developing agricultural tourism in Son La province. With a unique climate, suitable soil, and the participation of authorities at all levels, crispy persimmons promise to continue to maintain their position as the "sweet autumn fruit" of the Northwest mountains and forests.

From the initial rose roots planted experimentally more than 20 years ago, to date, crispy rose has affirmed its position as a typical specialty of Moc Chau plateau. With thorough investment from production, processing to experiential tourism, this product is gradually affirming its economic and cultural value, contributing to building the Son La agricultural product brand on the national map.