Among the many varieties of fruit, Hue persimmons have a distinctive flavor of their own, especially the heritage varieties associated with century-old garden houses. As autumn arrives, persimmons begin appearing at markets, brightening homes and becoming increasingly popular for sale on social media.
When it comes to persimmons, A Luoi cannot be overlooked, as it is considered the ‘capital’ of this fruit. With suitable soil and climatic conditions, persimmon trees were introduced to this western part of Hue nearly 30 years ago and are now mainly grown in A Luoi 1 and A Luoi 2 communes.
The main varieties grown in the highlands are ‘hong chen’ (literal translation: bowl-shaped persimmon) and ‘hong vuong’ (square-shaped persimmon), while ‘hong bi’ (cherry persimmon) and ‘hong dai’ (long persimmon) are also cultivated. The persimmon season in A Luoi usually begins earlier than in the lowlands, so the fruit ripens earlier as well. Grown naturally, A Luoi persimmons are highly sought after and transported to the city every day. They are typically sold for around 25.000 - 30.000 VND per kilogram. Residents also sell whole branches laden with fruit for 40.000 - 45.000 VND per kilogram, primarily for use in flower arrangements and as decorations in homes, shops and restaurants.
Beyond their fruit, persimmon trees have long been part of the ‘soul’ of Hue’s garden-house landscapes. As autumn sets in, green, yellow and red fruits blend together, creating a tranquil, contemplative scene. At Ngoc Son Princess Worship House, the persimmon tree in the front yard is always a focal point for visitors, thanks to the care and attention given to it by the owners.
In Kim Long’s garden houses, only a few homes still have the rare seedless ‘hong co’ (heritage persimmon) variety, with some trees nearly as old as the traditional houses themselves. The variety is particularly valuable because it can only be propagated through air layering. It is also associated with a story that the great poet Nguyen Du himself once brought the variety as a gift to a noble residence in the former imperial capital. However, its brittle wood makes the trees vulnerable to severe weather. After years of historic storms and heavy rains, many families have reluctantly had to cut off branches or fell the trees, sadly watching this rare variety gradually disappear.
Ms. Pham Thi Hai, whose family still has five seedless persimmon trees, said: “Although the trees do not produce a large harvest, the persimmons from our garden are very fragrant and delicious. Every year, people come to our house and place orders in advance. Whatever we bring to the market is sold out. Around September, the persimmons begin turning yellow, with the fruit-laden branches hanging low over the entrance. Everyone who comes by compliments them”.
Join Hue Today as we admire and harvest early-autumn persimmons:
A Luoi hong chen is a traditional variety planted under previous agricultural support projects
A family in A Luoi 2 prunes its persimmon trees
This sweet fruit is closely associated with the childhood memories of many highland children
Ripe persimmons are sold at A Luoi Market or along the Ho Chi Minh Road
Rich in vitamins, persimmons are a popular fruit
The hong trung persimmon tree at Ngoc Son Princess Worship House
Picking seedless persimmons to ripen them
The joy of enjoying fruit freshly picked from the tree at the beginning of the season
Persimmon-laden branches are used to decorate shops and restaurants, both for their visual appeal and to allow the fruit to ripen naturally
Persimmons arranged with other seasonal fruits to welcome the Mid-Autumn Festival
Video: Rare heritage persimmons in a Hue garden house
