A unique market in Ha Tinh sells only "the finest fruits".

From early morning, people started bringing Phuc Trach pomelos to the pomelo market to sell.

Every day, from 6 a.m. until late afternoon, the small market near Huong Pho train station in Huong Khe commune is bustling with buyers and sellers. Hundreds of households from Huong Khe, Huong Pho, Huong Do, Phuc Trach communes and surrounding areas are busy harvesting and transporting pomelos to the market. Despite selling only one product – pomelos – the market is always lively and crowded.

Mr. Dang Ba Quyen (from Huong Pho commune) has been selling pomelos at the market for more than 10 days now.

Mr. Dang Ba Quyen (from Huong Pho commune) said that every grapefruit harvest season, he regularly goes to his orchard early in the morning to cut grapefruit, then takes them to the market to sell to traders. "This market mainly sells wholesale, and there are many buyers, so the goods sell quickly. Once I sell everything, I go back to cut more. I do this throughout the entire peak season, almost every day I'm at the market," Mr. Quyen shared.

The pomelo markets are busiest during the peak month. This is when traders from all over flock to buy pomelos in large sacks to transport and sell in many provinces, from the North to the South. On some days, tens of tons of pomelos are purchased and shipped everywhere, transforming the small market in Huong Khe commune into a vibrant trading hub.

Traders from all over come to the pomelo market in Huong Khe commune to buy them.

Ms. Duong Thi Hoa (from Huong Pho commune) often goes to the market to buy pomelos and then sells them in Nghe An and Quang Tri provinces. "We buy in large quantities, pack them into bags, load them onto trucks, and take them to markets in other provinces. During the peak season, I'm at this market almost every day to buy them," Ms. Hoa said.

Ms. Duong Thi Hoa (on the right) is present at the pomelo market every day to buy them.

Also coming to the market to buy pomelos for resale, Ms. Pham Thi Huyen (from Huong Do commune) happily said: “The market opens at 6 am, and traders from all over come here. On average, I buy about 1,000 – 1,500 fruits each day to sell. Thanks to this market, we can buy directly from the source at a reasonable price, making them easier to sell.”

The ripe, golden-yellow pomelos from Phuc Trach are being sold by the locals.

This year, Phuc Trach pomelos are abundant, with uniformly sized, large, beautifully colored fruits and a distinctive, delicious aroma. However, the joy of a bountiful harvest is mixed with worry as the purchase price is somewhat lower. Mr. Vu Tran Tuan, a trader from Nghe An, shared: “I have been buying pomelos here for many years, so I am very familiar with the local people. This year, the yield is plentiful and the quality is good, but the price has decreased, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per fruit depending on the type and size. On average, I buy enough to fill a truck each day to take back to Nghe An for sale.”

The pomelo markets in Huong Khe commune are not only places for trading but also a unique seasonal cultural feature. Each market session not only provides opportunities for livelihood but also allows people to meet, exchange experiences, and together preserve the Phuc Trach pomelo brand.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the pomelo market retains its rustic and familiar charm, becoming a distinctive cultural feature that contributes to improving living standards and preserving the local identity.