Packaging and preserving ornamental grape clusters before market release. The price of ornamental grapes ranges from 500,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND per pot, depending on the plant's shape and the number of fruit clusters.

In the months leading up to the Lunar New Year, many ornamental grape gardens in Ninh Thuan are busy tending to their plants for timely delivery.

Mr. Tong Minh Hoang, owner of a large ornamental grape garden in Ninh Phuoc commune, is inspecting 300 pots he cultivated months ago; most are ready for sale this Tet holiday.

Ninh Thuan has a dry climate with nearly 2,900 hours of sunshine annually, ideal for growing grapes. With over 1,000 hectares and an annual output exceeding 26,000 tons, the locality is considered the nation's "grape capital."

To create a marketable ornamental grape plant, growers begin cultivation 6 months to one year in advance. They carefully select grape varieties and manage the soil for quality plant development. "This year, orders for ornamental grapes are high; as soon as the plants are trellised, they are reserved. Some customers order nearly 10 pots for Tet gifts, home decoration, or businesses," Mr. Hoang said.

Gardeners use steel wire to create trellises, fixing branches during shaping. This ensures an evenly spread, neat canopy and prevents breakage from wind.

Most ornamental grapes are meticulously trained into various shapes, such as single-tier or three-tier circles.

Like fruit trees, ornamental grapes are regularly inspected and pruned by garden staff. This practice helps the plants concentrate nutrients to nourish the fruit, ensuring the grape clusters are large, plump, and visually appealing when ripe. According to many growers, the most crucial step is timing the fruiting precisely for Tet. If misjudged, the grapes might ripen too early or drop, reducing their display value.

Gardeners hang couplets (cau doi) and Tet decorations on the ornamental grapes before they are sold.

Mr. Tong Minh Hoang stated that increased material costs and labor have led to a slight price increase this year, but purchasing power remains strong. "Many customers placed orders before the twelfth lunar month, and it becomes harder to find beautiful grape pots closer to Tet," he added.

Ornamental grapes are not only beautiful but also symbolize abundance and uniqueness. After Tet, they can continue to be cared for or planted as fruit-bearing trees. According to growers, the floods in late 11/2025 affected many grape cultivation areas, including ornamental grapes. However, thanks to years of farming experience and appropriate care measures, the grape gardens quickly recovered.

Bui Toan