Korean milk grapes take root in Quang Ninh soil.

From traditional grape-growing areas, many households in Quang Ninh are boldly introducing Korean milk grape varieties into production, with promising initial results.

In Binh Khe ward, Quang Ninh province, on an area of ​​over 1,500m², Mr. Vu Xuan Son and Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong have transformed the land that used to grow gladiolus into a lush organic vineyard with two main varieties: Korean milk grapes and Ha Den grapes.

Few people know that when he started growing grapes in April 2024, Mr. Son's knowledge of this crop was almost zero. He had no experience and no ready-made models to learn from, but he still decided to try his hand at this crop, which is considered quite finicky.

"Initially, I was worried because no one around here had ever grown grapes, but the more I did it, the more I realized how well the soil and climate suited us," Sơn shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong harvests Korean milk grapes. Photo: Nguyen Thanh.

To pursue clean production, his family only uses well-rotted cow manure purchased from Ba Vi ( Hanoi ) combined with biological pest control products. Each grapevine is meticulously cared for, from pruning and shaping to regulating irrigation water. An automatic irrigation system has been invested in to save water while maintaining the appropriate moisture level for plant growth.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, growing grapes organically requires more effort and cost than conventional farming, but in return, the product quality is superior. "Customers find the grapes delicious and feel reassured because they are clean, so they come back very often," she said.

After more than a year of care, the vineyard is now entering its first harvest season with an estimated yield of about 1.5 tons. With a selling price of around 150,000 VND/kg, the family expects to earn over 200 million VND. What makes Mr. and Mrs. Son even happier is that all the ripe grapes are bought up by customers as soon as they arrive.

"There were times when customers kept calling but we ran out of grapes to sell. We believe that in the following years, once the vines are established, the yield and quality will be even better," Mr. Son said.

Beyond its economic value, the vineyard has become a new and attractive experience for locals and tourists. The neatly arranged grapevines are interspersed with green grassy pathways and attractively designed photo spots. On weekends, many families and young people visit to explore, pick grapes themselves, and enjoy them right in the vineyard.

Tourists check in at a Korean milk grape vineyard. Photo: Nguyen Thanh.

In An Sinh ward, Quang Ninh province, Mr. Ngo Duc Tri is also attracting attention with his model of growing nearly 2 hectares of Korean milk grapes in greenhouses. In 2022, when he decided to import the milk grape variety, Mr. Tri faced considerable skepticism because it is a plant that prefers a cold climate. However, by investing in a comprehensive greenhouse system, drip irrigation, and actively regulating the temperature, his grape vines are still thriving.

"This grape variety is difficult because you have to carefully tend to each cluster of grapes. When the grapes set, you have to cut off the smaller clusters, keeping only the beautiful ones so the plant can concentrate its nutrients," Mr. Tri shared his experience.

To ensure the quality of the grapes, all selected bunches are bagged to minimize environmental impact. Thanks to this rigorous care process, the grapes have a sweet, crisp taste and an attractive appearance, comparable to imported grapes.

Currently, Mr. Tri's model yields about 3 quintals of fruit per sao (360m2), of which 70% are grade 1 fruit, selling for 300,000 - 350,000 VND/kg. He expects the yield to increase to 5-6 quintals per sao in subsequent seasons.

According to Mr. Tran Van Thuc, Head of the Crop Production and Plant Protection Department of Quang Ninh province, the models for growing Korean milk grapes and Ha Den grapes in the province have initially shown good adaptability to the local climate and soil conditions.

According to Mr. Thuc, the trend of developing organic agriculture, applying high technology and linking it with experiential tourism is opening up a promising direction for Quang Ninh's agriculture. However, to replicate these models, people still need support in terms of capital, technology, and connections to consumer markets.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nho-sua-han-quoc-ben-re-dat-quang-ninh-d812681.html