The quintessence of heaven and earth Xuan Van

Mr. Trieu Van Tuyen (left), Director of Xuan Van Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, accompanies farmers on the journey of building the persimmon brand.

From the sweet fruit of home garden

More than half a century ago, a boy named Hua Van Tu, from Do Thuong 3 village, Xuan Van commune (now over 60 years old) was invited by an acquaintance in the commune to enjoy the special pickled persimmons. Fascinated by the unique flavor of the pickled persimmons, he immediately asked for a seedling to bring home and ask his father to plant in the garden. Now, the first persimmon tree has become an ancient tree, shading the years.

Mr. Tu recalls: “Back then, there was only one persimmon tree in the garden, the pickled fruit was crispy and sweet, we children loved it very much but we never had enough to share. That is why, when I got married, I discussed with my father to convert the ineffective bamboo and palm growing land to growing persimmons to have specialty fruits for our children and grandchildren and to have more income”. From that turning point, up to now, Mr. Tu's family has owned more than 2 hectares of persimmons, with a yield of 5 - 6 tons/ha, and a selling price of 20 - 30 thousand VND/kg, many times higher than the previous crop.

Mr. Tu's start-up story has become a source of inspiration for families to boldly change their crop structure, spreading the rose growing movement widely. Many households such as Mr. Nguyen Huu Hao's family (village 1), Mrs. Ma Thi Minh (village 2), Mrs. Tran Thi Thoa (village 3) or Mr. Nguyen Van Kiem's family (village 4), Luc Minh Phung (village 5) ... have also devoted their whole lives to preserving each native rose tree as if preserving a treasure of their homeland.

With fertile soil, mild climate and the perseverance and dedication of farmers, Xuan Van has become a good land for persimmon trees to take root, bloom and bear fruit. Also by converging the quintessence of heaven and earth and human efforts, Xuan Van persimmons have their own characteristics: elongated fruit, prominent with 3-4 vertical grooves running from the stem down the body, moderate size, average 15-25 fruits/kg. In particular, the fruit is completely seedless, when cut across, the flesh clearly shows a rosette of 8-12 balanced petals, creating a unique beauty, like small, pretty flowers.

At harvest time, the green persimmon skin is dotted with a shimmering yellow color, as if covered with a layer of autumn sunlight, further highlighting the attractiveness of Xuan Van persimmon. Ms. Ma Thi Minh, village 1 shared: "After picking, persimmons are washed, soaked in water continuously for 3 days and 2 nights and the water must be changed regularly to remove the astringency. The entire process only uses clean water, without adding any chemicals." Mr. Hoang Tien Dat ( Hanoi city) expressed: "Enjoying Xuan Van persimmons, I clearly feel the sweet taste mixed with the crunchiness and gentle aroma. This is not only a delicious fruit but also an experience of indigenous culture, connecting urban life with the rustic, affectionate soul of the countryside."

Not only a gift of nature, Xuan Van persimmon is also a valuable source of nutrition for health. Many scientific studies have confirmed: In each persimmon is a harmonious combination of natural sweetness and essential nutrients such as: Sugar, vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, iron... and especially, does not contain cholesterol or fat, very good for the heart and immune system.

OCOP products Xuan Van soaked persimmons are the crystallization of heaven and earth and the efforts of farmers.

OCOP product Xuan Van soaked persimmon is the crystallization of heaven and earth and the efforts of farmers.

To the famous brand

From the policy of the local Party Committee and government, in 2004, Xuan Van Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative was established, marking a turning point in the new development journey of persimmon trees. Instead of fragmented production, the Cooperative organized production links with households, creating a raw material area of more than 60 hectares. Not only providing technical guidance, supplying inputs, and consuming products, helping people feel secure in farming, the Cooperative also affirmed its role as a "locomotive" in quality management and brand building. It was this "support" that brought Xuan Van soaked persimmons step by step out of home gardens, positioning the brand on the map of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Evidence shows that in 2018, the Cooperative's Hong Ngam Xuan Van product was granted a Collective Trademark Certificate by the Department of Intellectual Property ( Ministry of Science and Technology ); in 2023, it was recognized as a 3-star OCOP at the provincial level. If the collective trademark helps Hong Ngam Xuan Van to be protected in terms of name, avoiding mixing in poor quality goods, then OCOP is the "passport" for the hometown specialty to enter the big market. According to Mr. Trieu Van Tuyen, Director of Xuan Van Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative: "The unit has completed the registration dossier for OCOP product classification in 2025 with the goal of upgrading from 3 stars to 4 stars". This is not only the aspiration to enhance the brand but also a strategic step for Hong Ngam Xuan Van to continue to affirm its position, prestige and reputation in the market.

Xuan Van commune currently has more than 65 hectares of persimmons, with an average yield of 5 tons/ha, bringing in an economic value of more than 8 billion VND per year. Chairman of Xuan Van commune People's Committee, Ha Manh Linh, said: "Persimmons have become a key crop, closely associated with the livelihoods and lives of the people. Currently, in addition to upgrading the OCOP star rating, the commune aims to build a geographical indication for Xuan Van persimmons, associated with the development of orchard tourism experiences. Thereby, creating competitive advantages, increasing the value of agricultural products, contributing to the sustainable development of the local economy."

Every August of the lunar calendar, Xuan Van commune is bustling when traders from all over come to buy persimmons. Not only is it consumed strongly in the province, Xuan Van persimmons are also present in many big cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City... and are present on e-commerce platforms, the Hanoi Clean Food system (EcoFood). Mr. Trieu Van Tuyen, Director of Xuan Van Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, said: "Every year, 1 - 2 tons of products are consumed through EcoFood, with a selling price of 35 - 40 thousand VND/kg, which not only brings a stable source of income for people, but also affirms the attraction and reputation of the Xuan Van persimmon brand in the market."

When the autumn sunshine spreads golden over the hillsides of Xuan Van commune, each cluster of persimmons becomes more brilliant and full of vitality. The small persimmons become gifts carrying the quintessence of heaven and earth and the love of Xuan Van people to all parts of the country.

Thu Phuong

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202509/tinh-hoa-dat-troi-xuan-van-76a0ac4/