Expectations for the Tet dragon fruit harvest.

LAM DONG - Favorable weather and high prices are driving farmers in Binh Thuan province to busy themselves tending to their dragon fruit plants, hoping for a bountiful harvest and good prices for the Lunar New Year.

"The golden time" for lighting lamps.

Following the severe storms and floods that affected the area in late October 2025, dragon fruit growing regions in Binh Thuan ( Lam Dong province) are currently experiencing favorable weather conditions for off-season production. This is the most opportune time for farmers to induce off-season flowering after the plants have recovered, hoping to achieve the best possible results to compensate for the losses caused by the previous natural disasters.

Mr. Nguyen Tanh is tending his dragon fruit garden, hoping for a successful harvest for Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: KS.

In Ham Liem commune, the atmosphere in the dragon fruit orchards is very busy. Mr. Nguyen Tanh, a resident of Hamlet 5, said that the current sunny weather is ideal for farmers to force the trees to flower as desired. Unlike the unpredictable rainy and windy times, sunny weather allows the trees to absorb sunlight better, resulting in a higher flowering rate and significantly fewer pests and diseases.

Mr. Tanh's family is currently tending to 450 dragon fruit plants for sale during Tet (Lunar New Year). Currently, 250 plants have bloomed with white flowers, while the rest are in the bud and young fruit stage. "The consistent sunny weather helps the plants absorb the lights very well, resulting in even and beautiful blooms. Furthermore, the price of white-fleshed dragon fruit is currently at 30,000 VND/kg, so we farmers are all happy and are putting all our efforts into caring for them to be ready for Tet," Mr. Tanh shared.

Similarly, in Ham Kiem commune, Mr. Nguyen Hiep is also focusing on 500 dragon fruit trees that are currently in the artificial lighting stage. According to Mr. Hiep, the floods at the end of 2025 submerged many orchards in low-lying areas, potentially leading to a shortage of supply in the near future. However, this presents an opportunity for the remaining orchards to sell at higher prices.

Dragon fruit farmers are urgently producing off-season dragon fruit. Photo: KS.

Locals here have proactively started using artificial lighting from the beginning of October in the lunar calendar to ensure a continuous supply of fruit from the Lunar New Year to the 15th day of the first lunar month. Currently, households not only focus on quantity but also meticulously care for the fruit to achieve the required weight, with green, beautiful ears, and glossy skin, meeting the demand for gifts or offerings during Tet.

Scientific care, maintaining the registered planting area code.

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Lam Dong province, despite weather difficulties, dragon fruit production in the province has maintained stability.

Currently, the province has over 26,126 hectares of dragon fruit, with a cumulative production of nearly 578,000 tons in 2025, reaching almost 100% of the annual plan. Notably, the area meeting VietGAP standards has reached over 8,891 hectares and 540 hectares meeting GlobalGAP standards.

Regarding cultivation techniques for the Tet (Lunar New Year) season, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Lam Dong province advises farmers to pay attention to adequate and balanced fertilization. Approximately 20 days after the fruit has bloomed, it is recommended that farmers increase potassium fertilization to ensure firm, sweet, and beautifully colored fruit. Farmers should regularly inspect their orchards to detect important pests and diseases such as thrips, anthracnose, and brown spot disease early. Early detection will allow for timely treatment, preventing the spread of disease and improving the appearance of the dragon fruit.

Farmers in Lam Dong province are focusing on using artificial lighting to cultivate dragon fruit in preparation for the Tet (Lunar New Year) harvest. Photo: KS.

To ensure fair prices for farmers, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province has directed specialized units to coordinate with local authorities to regularly share market information, closely monitor crop conditions and prices to help farmers avoid being exploited by traders.

Another key issue is maintaining the planting area code. Since the majority of dragon fruit is exported to China, the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection requires growers and packing facilities to strictly adhere to cultivation procedures. Farmers need to keep production logs and only use pesticides and fertilizers on the permitted list. Complying with the quarantine regulations of importing countries not only facilitates dragon fruit exports but also helps maintain the reputation of the Vietnamese dragon fruit brand in the international market.

The proactive efforts of farmers, coupled with close technical support from the agricultural sector, are promising a successful dragon fruit harvest for Tet (Lunar New Year), helping to compensate for the difficulties faced by people in Binh Thuan province after the natural disaster.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ky-vong-vu-thanh-long-tet-d793618.html