The persimmon season runs from the end of August to the end of October each year. This year, favorable weather conditions and the active application of scientific and technical methods in production have resulted in a high yield of persimmons, stable purchase prices, and everyone is delighted.

The season for crunchy persimmons runs from the end of August to the end of October each year.

In early September, with the cool weather, people in Tan Yen commune and Thao Nguyen ward (formerly Moc Chau district, Son La province) begin harvesting persimmons. Throughout the orchards, farmers are busy picking, sorting, and transporting persimmons to collection points. These golden, plump, smooth-skinned, and sweet persimmons are the result of a meticulous cultivation process.

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

Mr. Quyet's family was one of the pioneering households to switch to growing crunchy persimmons since 2009, initially with only 80 trees. Thanks to the application of modern scientific and technical methods such as an automatic irrigation system, fruit bagging to prevent fruit flies, and adherence to VietGAP procedures, the yield and quality of persimmons have improved significantly.

Persimmons are currently grown primarily in Tan Yen commune and Thao Nguyen ward, covering a total area of ​​nearly 100 hectares. Many orchards have achieved yields of 10 to 14 tons per hectare. The Fuji and MC1 (MC – Moc Chau) persimmon varieties produce large, uniformly sized fruits that are sweet, not astringent, have thin, crisp skin, and are highly sought after 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 crisp persimmons organically. The persimmons are not only visually appealing but also retain the unique flavor of the Moc Chau region. Thanks to safe production, we have signed stable sales contracts with supermarkets and wholesale markets.”

The price of crunchy persimmons at the beginning of the season ranges from 60,000 to 80,000 VND/kg, while 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 good prices, farmers are confident in investing in expanding their planted area and improving cultivation techniques.

Besides consuming fresh persimmons, many households and cooperatives are also promoting deep processing to enhance the product's value. Quyet Thanh Agricultural Cooperative has invested in a modern cold-drying line to produce dried persimmons – a product favored by customers both within and outside the province.

"Our dried persimmons retain their natural sweetness and soft texture, and contain no preservatives. The product has already received OCOP 4-star certification and is sold in specialty stores and agricultural fairs nationwide," a representative of the cooperative said.

Crispy persimmons have become a prominent specialty product, providing a stable source of income for farmers.

Besides its agricultural potential, the persimmon season is also a major tourist attraction in Moc Chau plateau. The orchards laden with ripe, golden persimmons nestled amidst the mountains create a picturesque scene, making it an ideal photo spot for visitors, especially young people.

Ms. Nguyen Nhat Khanh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “Picking fresh persimmons with my own hands, enjoying them right in the orchard, and immersing myself in the fresh air is a very memorable experience. I bought more than 5 kg of persimmons to take home as gifts.”

From an imported variety, the crunchy persimmon has now become a specialty crop and a symbol of the Son La plateau region. The Son La province is investing heavily in building the "Moc Chau Crunchy Persimmon" brand, from product packaging to promoting its image at national agricultural fairs.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province stated: "We are supporting households and cooperatives in producing according to VietGAP and organic standards, and gradually transitioning to smart production and traceability using QR codes. At the same time, we are expanding connections with e-commerce platforms and major supermarket chains."

Crispy persimmons are not only a stable source of income for local people, but also a highlight in the development of agricultural tourism in Son La province. With its unique climate, suitable soil, and the involvement of all levels of government, crispy persimmons promise to continue maintaining their position as the "sweet fruit of autumn" of the Northwest mountains.

From the initial persimmon saplings planted experimentally over 20 years ago, the crunchy persimmon has now established itself as a representative specialty of the Moc Chau plateau. With systematic investment from production and processing to experiential tourism, this product is gradually asserting its economic and cultural value, contributing to building the Son La agricultural brand on the national map.