Suu Chi Dam Pomelo – The Essence of Ancient Alluvial Soil Along the Lo River

No one remembers exactly when the Suu pomelo first appeared in Chi Dam. Yet on this land by the Lo River, the fruit has long been a royal offering from the ancestral region to the Hung Kings. During each Hung Kings’ Commemoration, locals would select the most beautiful and fragrant pomelos to present to the Kings—a ritual symbolizing gratitude to their ancestors and pride in the purity of their homeland’s flavors.

With 30 long-standing Suu pomelo trees, the family of Do Quoc Doan in Khu Chi, Chi Dam Commune earns up to 130 million VND each harvest season.

According to Le Phi Son, Vice Chairman of the Chi Dam Commune People’s Committee, the former Doan Hung area is well known for two pomelo varieties: Suu Chi Dam and Bang Luan. Among them, Suu Chi Dam is an ancient cultivar, once chosen as a royal tribute thanks to its distinctive aroma, refreshing sweetness, and juicy segments.

In Khu Chi, about 70% of the 200 households grow Suu pomelos. In Khu Dam, among 150 households, roughly 40% cultivate this traditional variety. Many families are widely recognized for their extensive groves, such as Do Tien Dai with 70 trees; Do Huu Tho with 90; Nguyen Duc Hoach with 45; Nguyen Minh Manh with 40; Do Chinh Chuong with 50; Phung Duc Lan with 50; and Le Khac Hoan with 50. Over the seasons, the deep-green pomelo orchards mirrored on the Lo River have become a signature image of Chi Dam.

Growers say the uniqueness of the Suu pomelo comes from the region’s one-of-a-kind soil conditions. Both Khu Chi and Khu Dam lie along the Lo River, where layers of fertile alluvial soil deposited over generations reach depths of several meters. Thanks to this ancient alluvium, the trees naturally absorb rich nutrients, producing fragrant and succulent fruit.

Beyond its taste, the Suu pomelo is also renowned for its natural preservation qualities. For generations, Chi Dam residents have passed down a chemical-free storage technique: applying lime to the fruit’s stem end after harvest. With this method, the pomelo remains plump and sweet for 5–6 months. Although the main harvest season falls between September and October, consumers can still enjoy the fruit as late as May or June the following year. Farmers also maintain the traditional planting density—only 8 to 12 trees per sao—to ensure each plant receives sufficient light and nutrients.

Vice Chairman Le Phi Son added that Chi Dam Commune currently has over 540 hectares of pomelo orchards, of which nearly 100 hectares are dedicated to the Suu variety. The Suu pomelo has been certified as a 4-star OCOP product. However, production remains insufficient for large-scale distribution networks. Therefore, at the First Party Congress of the commune for the 2025–2030 term, a key mission was defined: “Enhancing the effectiveness and brand value of the national geographical indication for Chi Dam Specialty Pomelo.” With this strategic direction, the locality hopes to achieve an economic breakthrough and foster pride in the land by the Lo River.

Manh Hung