The harvest season for these bamboo skin persimmon persimmons typically runs from late August to late September each yearElevating products through storytelling
Originally a wild plant, grown in small quantities in households in rocky mountain areas in La Hien, Dong Hy, Vo Nhai communes... bamboo skin persimmons are harvested and sold at local markets like other fruits in the fall. Before 2018, bamboo persimmon was only sold for a few thousand VND per kilogram. By around 2020, thanks to the creativity of online sellers on social networks, they infused the bamboo-skinned persimmon with simple, emotional stories that made it an outstanding, “sought after” product.
In the online space, young people share stories about ancient persimmon trees, heirlooms passed down through generations, bearing the marks of history. They explain that these persimmons are known as bamboo skin persimmons, a name inspired by the trees’ resilient vitality as they grow amidst the rocky, mountainous terrain. When fully ripened, the fruit shifts from a deep green to a soft yellow. Its skin features subtle, recessed stripes, reminiscent of the markings on bamboo stalks as they mature and upon closer inspection, one can discern the translucency of the pinkish flesh beneath the surface. A ripe persimmon is as clear as jelly, offering a delicate fragrance and a rich, intense sweetness; it possesses a subtle crispness amidst the tender, succulent and pliable texture of its segments.
At shops specializing in export-quality produce or wholesome food, persimmons are elevated by being placed in attractively printed paper boxes, cushioned with shredded paper to prevent bruising and presented in elegant gift bags.
Building a distinctive brand
The fact that the bamboo skin persimmon has become a high-priced item, with demand outstripping supply demonstrates how the art of storytelling and the refinement of product packaging can elevate the value of an otherwise very ordinary fruit.
According to agricultural experts, bamboo skin persimmons possess high nutritional value. Ripe persimmons are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium and dietary fiber which benefit cardiovascular health, supporting digestion, promoting healthy skin and helping prevent aging…
Currently, at chains of organic fruit and clean food stores in Hanoi, bamboo skin persimmons are priced between 190,000 and 280,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the size and quality of the fruit.
Ms. Thu Huong, owner of a clean-food shop in Residential Group 1, Me Tri, Hanoi, shared that bamboo skin persimmons sell out as soon as they arrive, in fact, there are not even enough to meet customer demand. The high price of bamboo skin persimmons is due to their unique flavor and color. Furthermore, both sellers and buyers specifically prize fruit harvested from ancient persimmon trees; since such trees are few in number, this creates a scarcity of the product.
In recent years, residents in communes such as Dong Hy, La Hien and Vo Nhai in Thai Nguyen province have found that buyers come directly to their homes to purchase persimmons. On average, a mature persimmon tree, in a good harvest year can yield around 100 kilograms of fruit. The price at the orchard ranges from 80,000 to approximately 190,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the size and quality of the fruit. Persimmon orchard owners do not need to invest in overly elaborate care or struggle to find a market for their produce, yet they still earn hundreds of millions of VND annually. Consequently, impoverished households have gained a reliable source of income, which has helped transform their lives.
According to incomplete statistics, there are currently about 500 bamboo skin persimmon trees in Thai Nguyen province that are over 10 years old, with the largest concentrations found in the communes of La Hien, Nam Hoa, Dong Hy. Thai Nguyen province aims to increase the number of persimmon trees and promote organic cultivation practices, while integrating these efforts with community-based tourism to further enhance the brand value of the bamboo skin persimmon. Accordingly, the province has launched projects to plant thousands of additional persimmon trees, aiming to establish a raw material base and explore the development of new, innovative products derived from the bamboo skin persimmon. These projects are expected to generate employment and provide a stable income for local residents through this specialty fruit./.
