During the grape ripening season

As April arrives, the vineyards in Lien Huong and Phan Ri Cua communes enter their most beautiful season of the year. Under the golden sunshine, the plump, juicy bunches of grapes hang heavily on the branches, drawing admiration and praise from anyone who visits the vineyards.

April is when grapes are at their best, with uniformly sized, intensely sweet, and juicy fruits.

Grape season in sunny land

From the center of Phan Thiet, traveling north along National Highway 1A for about 100 km, visitors will see signposts on both sides of the road indicating vineyards and shops selling local specialties such as wine and grape juice, located in the former Phuoc The commune, now Lien Huong commune. The journey to explore these vineyards is not simply sightseeing, but a continuous series of experiences: traveling - stopping - tasting and savoring.

Stopping at Le My vineyard (Lien Huong commune), under the cool, low green vines reaching head height, the clusters of green and red grapes hanging heavily, plump and juicy, are enough to captivate any visitor. Mr. Le Quoc Hien, the owner of the vineyard, said: “My family has nearly 1 hectare planted with Japanese green and pink grapes, cultivated in staggered seasons. April is when the grapes are at their most beautiful, with uniform fruit, rich sweetness, and juiciness.”

Each grape variety possesses its own unique characteristics, making the interconnected vines a vibrant "flavor map."

As demand increased, Mr. Hien's vineyard couldn't keep up. He partnered with other vineyards in the area to provide year-round vineyard visits for tourists. When one vineyard was almost full, another would take its place. To date, more than 10 vineyards have joined the partnership, growing safe grapes using a staggered planting method so that there are always ripe grapes available for visitors. When we arrived, a group of tourists from the Mekong Delta were visiting the vineyard. Besides taking photos and enjoying grapes to their heart's content, visitors could also personally cut bunches of ripe grapes as they wished.

Looking at the vineyards bustling with visitors every day, few realize that just a few years ago, visiting them was very difficult because grapes are a "fussy" plant, prone to minor diseases, and requiring care like caring for a baby. Nowadays, most vineyards grow grapes in greenhouses, eliminating concerns about pests and diseases and allowing them to welcome visitors year-round. Thanks to this, the Tuy Phong grape brand has spread far and wide, resolving the issue of fluctuating supply and demand.

Most garden owners have proactively invested in check-in points, redesigned spaces, and expanded pathways to attract visitors during the upcoming major holidays.

Get ready for the peak holiday season!

We experienced a different facet of grapes at Nhat Minh Grape Farm (Phan Ri Cua commune). Besides traditional green and purple grapes, this farm boasts many new varieties: black finger grapes with a purple tint, candy grapes, crisp Japanese pink grapes…

Mr. Nguyen Duy Cuong, owner of Nhat Minh vineyard, said: “Over 1.5 hectares of grapes are grown in greenhouses to ensure safety, so grapes can be harvested year-round, and visitors can safely eat them directly to experience the difference. We will introduce more new grape varieties to meet the needs of tourists.” Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “Walking under the grape vines is like stepping through layers of flavor. Each type of grape is a unique experience. Visitors also get to hear stories about how grapes are grown in this sunny and windy land.” Tourists not only enjoy fresh grapes but also learn about the process of fermenting, distilling, and extracting grape wine and grape syrup from plump bunches of grapes to drops of wine imbued with the colors of time. The vineyard owner shared: “Making wine is about preserving the essence of the grapes, letting the sun and wind gradually permeate each drop.”

Tourists experience exploring the vineyards in Lien Huong commune.

In recent years, the tourist route encompassing Co Thach Pagoda, the Seven-Colored Rock Beach, and vineyards has been gradually taking shape. Vineyard owners have proactively collaborated with tour operators to create integrated itineraries, connecting visitors to nearby destinations such as Binh Thanh fishing village, Hon Cau island, and cultural relics. This not only extends the length of stay for tourists but also increases the value of local agricultural products. Anticipating a significant increase in visitors during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and the April 30th/May 1st holidays, most vineyard owners have proactively redesigned their spaces, expanded pathways, invested in photo-worthy spots, and enhanced the visitor experience. Furthermore, they are improving service quality, clearly displaying prices, and prioritizing hygiene and safety for tourists.

Walking through the vineyards in the sunny, windy April, one can truly appreciate the journey to the most beautiful time of year, where the harsh sun has transformed into sweetness.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/vao-mua-nho-chin-ro-436869.html