The garden, part of Hoa Binh Lieu Cooperative in Hoanh Mo commune, Quang Ninh, currently features nearly 50 giant pumpkins. These pumpkins range from 40 kg to 126 kg, many times larger than typical pumpkins, which usually weigh 3-7 kg each. They are of the Atlantic Giant variety, known for holding the world record for the largest fruit in the plant kingdom. The record-breaking pumpkin weighed 1,360 kg and was harvested by British brothers Ian and Stuart Paton in 10/2025, according to Smithsonian science magazine.
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People have to use carrying poles to harvest giant pumpkins. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Hai
According to Nguyen Thanh Hai, director of the cooperative, the unit purchased seeds for trial planting in 2025 after determining they were suitable for the local soil. However, the garden was not open to visitors at that time.
This year, the visitor model launched in 2/2026 across a 5,000 m2 area, with pumpkins intercropped beneath cherry blossom trees. The cooperative planted 30 plants in the first batch, yielding 47 fruits. An additional 17 plants were added in the second batch. Currently, about 20 pumpkins are still developing, with many 28 days old already weighing 80 kg. It takes about 4 months from sowing to maturity.
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Tourists take photos at the pumpkin garden. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Hai
In the first week of August, the garden recorded 1,200 visits. From July to date, the estimated number of visits to the garden has exceeded 4,000, according to Vi Ngoc Nhat, head of the Hoanh Mo commune Culture Department.
Initially, the cooperative did not charge an entrance fee. However, starting next week, the admission fee for visiting the exhibition and pumpkin growing areas is expected to be about 30,000 VND per visitor.
Hai noted that many visitors expressed excitement upon seeing such large pumpkins for the first time. In addition to the pumpkins, the blooming Thai sim flowers (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) at the same time also contribute to attracting visitors to the area.
A pumpkin is developing, currently weighing 80 kg. Video: Nguyen Thanh Hai
Phuong Anh
