Dao That Thon trees are brought to the streets to celebrate Tet, with rental prices reaching up to 200 million VND.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the Hanoi ornamental plant market saw the appearance of many rare and precious Thất Thốn peach trees with ancient shapes, densely petaled flowers, and deep red color. Carefully cared for, transported, and preserved, many of these trees were rented out for up to 200 million VND.

The Thất Thốn peach (also known as the royal peach) is a rare and precious ancient peach variety originating from Nhật Tân. The name "Thất Thốn" has several interpretations. "Thất" means seven, and "thốn" is a traditional unit of length, equal to 2 cm. One theory suggests that each "thốn" of a branch can produce seven flowers, or that the leaves are approximately seven "thốn" long, hence the name.

According to Mr. Tuan, the owner of a Thất Thốn peach blossom stall on Lac Long Quan Street (Tay Ho District, Hanoi ), to ensure a Thất Thốn peach tree blooms in time for Tet (Lunar New Year), gardeners must closely monitor it for many months beforehand. Besides proper watering and fertilization, temperature plays a particularly important role. During warm weather, the trees must be moved to an air-conditioned room to ensure sufficient coolness, stimulating flower bud differentiation.

A close-up view of the moss-covered trunk of the Thất Thốn peach tree, with its young shoots and deep red flower buds after years of meticulous care. Photo: Thúy Anh

Customers can directly observe and select each Thất Thốn peach blossom tree at the exhibition area on Lạc Long Quân Street. Photo: Thúy Anh

Dozens of ancient Thất Thốn peach trees are displayed along the walkway, ready to serve the Tet market. Photo: Thuy Anh

In addition, pruning, shaping, and styling are also done periodically. Due to the limited growth and development of the tree, completing a Thất Thốn peach blossom bonsai can take from 5-7 years, or even decades.

At the exhibition area, many peach blossom trees are intricately shaped into forms such as dragon boats, phoenix boats, and five blessings entering the house, grafted from multiple roots onto a single main trunk. The gnarled, moss-covered trunks, evenly spreading canopies, and densely petaled, deep red flowers create an ancient and elegant appearance.

The dense foliage of peach blossoms, with their deep red color, creates a rare sense of elegance and antiquity. Photo: Thuy Anh

According to the orchard owners, the rental price for Thất Thốn peach trees is divided according to the size and value of each tree.

Garden staff meticulously change the soil and care for each peach tree before delivery to customers. Photo: Thuy Anh

The gardener stands beside an ancient peach tree bonsai created from multiple rootstocks, shaped into dragon and phoenix boat designs. Photo: Thuy Anh

Small peach blossom trees in pots can be rented for between 10 and 50 million VND. Special creations, such as those shaped like dragon boats or phoenix boats, grafted from multiple roots, can cost up to 200 million VND per Tet season. For large, ancient trees aged 30-40 years, the price increases depending on the shape and quality of the flowers. These prices allow customers to rent for 20 days to a month.

The Thất Thốn peach blossoms have thick petals and a deep red color – a feature that gives this variety of peach, once offered to the emperor, its unique value. Photo: Thúy Anh

The orchard owner added that they prefer renting out the land rather than selling it.

According to Mr. Tuan, most of the tenants are businesses, hotels, villas, etc., and many trees were reserved in advance since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month.

The artwork "Five Blessings Entering the Door" is elaborately crafted, symbolizing wealth and good fortune at the beginning of the year. Photo: Thuy Anh

For trees rented by customers, especially large creations like dragon boats and phoenix boats, after the full moon of the first lunar month, the nursery will transport them back to Moc Chau to continue caring for and nurturing them, preparing them for the Tet season in subsequent years.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dao-that-thon-xuong-pho-don-tet-gia-thue-len-toi-200-trieu-dong-2489317.html