Spending the weekend going back to my hometown to 'hunt for palm trees' (a euphemism for palm tree hunting).

At the end of the year, when fog blankets the hillsides, the highland areas of the province become bustling with activity as they enter the palm fruit season. For the local people, the palm fruit season is not only a time to harvest forest bounty but also an opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the rich, sweet taste that the mountains and forests bestow.

A cluster of palm trees laden with fruit is a local delicacy that many people are "addicted" to.

Picking palm trees in the mountains and forests

These days, Mr. Loc Van Dau, residing in Trung Tam residential area, Song Cau ward, frequently goes up to his family's palm hill to pick fruit.

Following Mr. Loc Van Dau, we entered a hillside area of ​​about 0.5 hectares with around 50 palm trees laden with fruit.

Mr. Loc Van Dau shared that, in the past, his family mainly grew palm trees to use the leaves for roofing and the trunks for weaving; in season, the whole family would only pick a few bunches of fruit to eat or give as gifts.

We stood amidst the palm hills, each tree laden with clusters of fruit, glistening in the sunlight, creating a scene that was both rustic and beautiful, evoking a sense of abundance and the peacefulness of the countryside.

Before picking the palms, we gathered some dry branches, a little firewood, and a few stones to make a makeshift campfire and then lit it.

Mr. Loc Van Dau carried a small pot to the stream to fetch water, then placed it on the stove and heated it until it was boiling hot. While waiting for the water to boil, he used a cleverly made ladder to climb the palm tree, cut down a cluster of ripe fruit, and then picked a large handful to put into the pot to "stew".

Amidst the tranquil palm-covered hills, the lingering smoke from the kitchen fires blends with the scent of ripe palm fruit, creating a simple, warm, and distinctly rural scene.

According to Mr. Loc Van Dau, those who specialize in harvesting palm oil usually prepare a pot, a lighter, and a bottle of water so they can "stew" and test the palm oil right on the hill.

By tasting the fruit, they can identify which palm trees produce delicious, rich, and flavorful fruit, marking them to harvest gradually for consumption, gifts, or sale. This method saves time and allows growers to select the best quality palm trees from the entire hillside.

Palm fruits typically ripen in late autumn or early winter, after the first rains of the season have passed and gentle sunshine lingers on the mountaintops.

People in the highlands often go into the forest together, climb tall palm trees, and pick clusters of ripe fruit to harvest.

Each trip to climb and pick palm fruit is not just work, but also an experience of closeness to nature: the sound of birds singing, the rustling of mountain winds, and the distinctive scent of the forest.

Local gifts for every family.

Palm fruit has long been a familiar snack, suitable for children, adults, and the elderly alike. Each time the palms ripen, old memories flood back through stories told by the elderly around the fire, blending with the excited chatter of the younger generation on the palm-covered hills.

When ripe, the palm fruit has a subtly sweet taste, soft, creamy flesh, and a very distinctive aroma. Locals often stew the palm fruit until cooked, then peel off the thin outer skin and eat it directly.

In some localities, dried palm jam is also produced, which is popular with tourists as a souvenir because it is easy to preserve and has a distinctive flavor of the highlands.

Sticky rice palm fruit, after being stewed until cooked, has a nutty, sweet taste.

Over time, palm fruit has become increasingly popular as an indispensable snack during its season. Many palm fruit enthusiasts share that once they get used to eating it, they become "addicted," and they have to buy and enjoy it from the beginning to the end of the season.

Ms. Kieu Anh from Bac Kan ward said: "When the palm fruit season comes, I always try to buy some. When I find a batch of delicious sticky palm fruit, the taste is rich and creamy, and it's a truly satisfying feeling."

Palm harvesters typically carry baskets, bamboo ladders, or walking sticks to climb tall trees, cut down clusters of ripe palms, and carefully pick up each fallen fruit.

The feeling of holding those glossy, plump, dark purple palm clusters in your hands brings a simple yet profound joy, like receiving a precious gift from nature.

Local households typically only harvest a portion of the ripe fruit, leaving some on the tree and at the base to maintain the seed source for the next season. This practice not only ensures long-term benefits but also demonstrates a commitment to forest protection, preserving the forest's lush greenery to continue providing valuable forest resources to the people.

Palm fruit is usually sold by weight, pre-packaged into bags by vendors, with an average price of 35,000 VND/kg. High-quality, sticky palm fruit can fetch up to 50,000 VND/kg.

Due to the limited palm fruit production in the province, which mainly consists of palm trees 20 years old or older, the palm cultivation area is not expanding, mainly comprising old palm hills concentrated in the communes of Bach Thong, Cho Don, Yen Thinh, Yen Phong, Nghia Ta, etc.

These days, the sweet and nutty flavor of palm fruit seems to permeate everywhere, making everyone eager to taste it.

On Facebook, there are countless images of people enjoying ripe palm fruit, accompanied by lively status updates: Taking advantage of the weekend to go back to the countryside to "hunt for palm fruit" and enjoy a hearty meal of sticky rice palm fruit, satisfying the longing.

Ms. Hoang Thi May, from Yen Phong commune, is a prime example, sharing that simple joy through photographs of ripening golden palm trees, as if bringing the essence of the mountains and forests back into every moment.

From ripe palm fruit on the hillside to the dishes on the dinner table, every step is connected to labor, creativity, and the culinary culture of the highlands.

Palm trees are used to decorate the grounds of many organizations and businesses.

Palm fruit is not only delicious but also highly nutritious: it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, helping to boost health and improve digestion.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the palm fruit becomes a thread connecting memories of home, holding back those who have left their homeland.

Palm trees are not only a source of food but also hold deep cultural value for highland communities. Indigenous people often use the leaves to make ropes, mats, fans, or temporary roofs, demonstrating their ingenuity in utilizing nature.

In spiritual life, the palm tree is also a symbol of perseverance and resilience in the face of difficulties, representing a life closely connected to the mountains and forests.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/cuoi-tuanve-que-san-co-1a938bf/