Sweetness from the Windy Land

As the sun slants across the hills of Cao Phong, a golden hue begins to spread through the foliage, tracing the red-earth paths and blanketing a region long familiar with steep slopes and gusts of wind. Here, oranges do not ripen in a rush. They keep a thick rind, deep golden flesh, and a flavor that is profoundly sweet and long-lasting. It is this very patience that has built the reputation of Cao Phong oranges for over half a century.

From a land of many challenges, the orange tree has taken root, weathering countless cycles of gain and loss to become a specialty that provides stable livelihoods and renewed faith for today’s growers.

More than fifty years ago, Cao Phong was not yet a fruit-growing region. With its steep hills, thin soil, harsh sun, and erratic rains, it was a testing ground. In the early 1960s, as the Cao Phong State Farm was established, oranges were planted with a “trial and error” mindset. Saplings were carried up the hills and set into stony ground; surviving was a feat in itself, let alone dreaming of sweet fruit.

But the oranges stayed. Workers of the state farm bound their lives to the trees, patiently learning the language of the soil and water, and learning to accept risks. From Sanh and Xa Doai to Canh oranges, every variety was a new path to navigate. There were seasons when fruit set only to carpet the ground in white failure; years when the trees were lush but gave no harvest. Yet, layers of experience accumulated, and the hills gradually grew “accustomed” to the trees.

By the 2000s, as the market economy opened up, Cao Phong oranges found their footing. This era brought a shift in mindset: moving away from habitual farming toward quality, seasonality, and marketability. The groves no longer yielded fruit in overwhelming bursts but became more stable, their sweetness shaped by the unique terroir and climate of these hills.

Today’s fruit does not just taste of sun and rain; it carries a long journey of attachment to the land. This foundation has paved the way for a new era—one where preserving the sweetness is just as vital as the harvest itself.

After various ups and downs, Cao Phong has not chosen to expand its acreage. Instead, a more cautious path was taken: preserving the soil, the seeds, and the quality. Aging groves were cleared for replanting, and disease-free saplings replaced trees that had passed their prime. Growers began to meticulously calculate every step, from tending and harvesting to the final output.

For the 2025–2026 crop, Cao Phong’s orange production is estimated at 3,273.44 tons, with average prices ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 VND/kg. While these figures may not reach the heights of the “golden years,” they reflect a different reality: oranges are being produced with greater stability and better-controlled risks.

This shift is evident in the methodology. VietGAP is no longer a paper slogan but a concrete requirement. Care logs are kept; fertilizers and pesticides are strictly monitored; and harvest times are calculated for peak ripeness. Oranges are not picked early to chase prices, nor left too long to degrade. As a result, the sweetness is bold, deep, and lingering.

Beyond production, consumption has expanded through structured linkages. Cooperatives now aggregate products, standardize packaging, and connect with supermarkets, wholesale markets, and e-commerce platforms. An orange leaving the hill no longer travels alone; it is part of a chain with traceability. The protection of the “Cao Phong” Geographical Indication also sets a higher bar: the brand is not just a name, but a commitment to quality.

In recent years, Cao Phong has extended the “life cycle” of its oranges through processing. From fruits that are high quality but unsuitable for fresh sale, growers and cooperatives find other ways to capture their essence: cold-dried oranges, orange detox tea, honey-soaked oranges, and orange peel essential oils. This approach is not mass-produced, but it helps minimize waste and opens stable consumption channels outside the main season.

As evening falls over the slopes of Cao Phong, the groves quiet down after a day of picking. The remaining fruits shimmer with a warm golden light, as if holding onto the last rays of the sun. From the saplings planted in hardship to the processed products of today, the sweetness of Cao Phong does not come from haste—it comes from walking slowly with the land.

Oranges, therefore, are more than just a key crop; they are the memory, the livelihood, and the faith of a land of sun and wind. Ripening to their own rhythm, growing steadier with each passing season, Cao Phong oranges preserve the most precious thing: the enduring sweetness of the land and its people.

Content: Hai Yen — Presentation: Ngoc Tung

5:06:02:2026:09:50 GMT+7