Renting apricot and peach blossom trees for Tet: A new consumer trend.

QTO - Instead of spending large sums of money buying them, in recent years, many people have chosen to rent flowers and ornamental plants for Tet (Lunar New Year). This trend shows a change in consumer behavior during Tet - more practical, flexible, and in line with modern lifestyles.

Buy the "right to use" instead of owning it.

According to observations at several nurseries in the former Dong Hoi area, customers began choosing trees around the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. The buying and renting activity became more bustling as Tet (Lunar New Year) approached. Mr. Tu Cong San, residing on Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Dong Hoi Ward, said: "Customers come to see the trees in person, put down a deposit if they like a particular tree, then hire a crane to transport it home. After displaying it, they return it after the 15th day of the lunar month."

Visitors come to the garden to admire and choose their favorite trees - Photo: HL

Mr. Pham Van Tan, owner of a Tan Van apricot blossom garden, said that the demand for renting has increased significantly in the last 5 years. Buying outright is too expensive. Many people have the means but lack the time to care for the trees. They only need beautiful trees to display for a few days during Tet (Lunar New Year), so renting is a more reasonable option. Depending on the size, shape, and age of the tree, the rental price ranges from a few million to tens of millions of dong. Some ancient apricot blossom trees with beautiful shapes can sell for up to 200 million dong, and the rental price is around 20 million dong for the entire Tet period.

According to Mr. Tan, getting a plum blossom tree to bloom precisely for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is no easy task. Growers must carefully calculate the timing of leaf removal, closely monitor weather conditions, and adjust watering and nutrition schedules. Prolonged periods of hot weather can cause the flowers to bloom prematurely if not addressed promptly. Currently, his garden has about 100 plum blossom trees, many of which are ancient and have been meticulously shaped. In the days leading up to Tet, he is almost constantly present to monitor each tree.

For many garden owners, renting out their gardens provides both income and fulfills their passion for caring for plants - Photo: HL

"A perfectly formed bonsai tree that blooms just in time for Tet requires a lot of effort and time. There are some trees I've cared for for years. If I sell them, I'll lose them forever, and that would be a great pity. Renting them out meets customer demand, keeps the trees in the garden, and provides additional income, so I prefer renting them out rather than selling them outright," Mr. Tan shared.

Home care services help retain customers.

Alongside short-term rentals, post-Tet plant care services are also starting to develop. This is seen as an intermediary solution for customers who have purchased plants but do not want to or are unable to care for them themselves.

Mr. Hoang Van Dinh's family, residing in Duc Thi residential area, Dong Hoi ward, has recently become familiar with sending their plants to nurseries for care. "My wife and I are old now, so we don't usually think about buying flowers and ornamental plants for Tet. But last year, our son bought us a plum blossom tree. After the full moon, we took it to a nursery to have them take care of it. This Tet, we brought it back to display. I think this is a good method; we don't have to take care of it ourselves, and it saves money," Mr. Dinh said. According to him, if you take care of it yourself without experience, the flowers might bloom too early or too late for Tet. Meanwhile, nurseries have better techniques and resources for care.

Instead of spending a large sum of money to buy them, in recent years, many people have chosen to rent flowers and ornamental plants to decorate their homes for Tet (Lunar New Year) - Photo: HL

In reality, many families want beautiful plants but lack the space or time to maintain them year-round. Therefore, instead of owning them permanently, they accept paying seasonal costs. Mr. Tu Cong San said that the number of customers leaving their plants at the nursery after Tet (Lunar New Year) has been increasing year by year. "Some people are passionate about plants but don't have the conditions to grow and care for them. They leave them at the nursery, and we take care of them year-round. Then, during Tet, we transport them home when the plants are ready to bloom. Customers feel much more secure," Mr. San said.

According to garden owners, this model helps them proactively secure a supply of beautiful plants, while also providing them with a stable additional income beyond traditional plant sales. The development of flower and ornamental plant rental and care services not only reflects the real needs of the people but also a clear change in how people celebrate Tet: more flexible, more economical, and more in line with modern lifestyles.

Huong Le

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202602/thue-mai-dao-choi-tet-xu-huong-tieu-dung-moi-2b8647d/