Unique Tet Fruit Decoration

In the final days of the year, the fruit decoration business of Mr. Pham Anh Minh in Van Phu Ward, Viet Tri City, is bustling with orders. To meet market demand, Mr. Minh invested in opening a facility specializing in fruit decoration for the Lunar New Year holidays in 2022.

To complete a product, several steps are involved. Initially, workers use a damp cloth to clean the fruit’s surface, spray a glossy coat, then allow it to dry. They choose a decoration style, paint characters, attach accessories, and sprinkle colored glitter to create accents on the fruit. However, the most important step is selecting fruits with large, uniform, beautiful shapes and fresh quality, which will create a product with high artistic value.

It is known that Minh’s Tet fruit decorations are ordered in large quantities by both local and outside traders to meet the public’s needs during the holiday season. During the Lunar New Year, Minh’s business supplies the market with over 100 pomelos and coconuts per day. Each fruit is priced between 150,000 VND and 200,000 VND.

Tet Fruit Decorations have unique advantages, featuring attractive designs, vibrant colors, and intricate carvings of traditional patterns and characters. In addition to the words Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Wealth), Tho (Longevity), Cat Tuong (Auspicious), and Thinh Vuong (Prosperity), the fruits are also decorated with images of peach blossoms, apricot flowers, adorned with poinsettia flowers, golden leaves, and branches, strongly reflecting the spirit of Spring. Another advantage of Tet fruit decorations is their ability to be displayed for a long period. Therefore, these fruits are a popular choice for many people, as they can be used as gifts to relatives, partners, carrying New Year wishes and many other meaningful messages. Despite being priced much higher than regular fruits, the decorated fruits still attract many customers.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Huyen from Bang Luan Commune, Doan Hung District, said: “Creating a handmade product for display during Tet is a very unique idea, both beautiful and luxurious. Understanding the needs of the people, besides selling our specialty Bang Luan pomelo, my family also imports various types of decorated fruits with calligraphy to serve the shopping needs of families during Tet.”

During the Tet market days, you’ll find stalls selling Tet fruit decorations that attract large crowds of customers who are selecting and decorating fruits based on their preferences. Mr. Phung Duy Hung from Tien Cat Ward, Viet Tri City, shared: “Every Tet, my family traditionally prepares the five-fruit tray with Phu Tho specialties such as bananas, pomelos, dragon fruits, and tangerines. In recent years, I’ve seen many unique and beautiful fruit decorations on the market, so I also choose to buy a pair of golden coconuts and a red watermelon for the Tet display, hoping that our family will have a year of good luck and prosperity.”

For many Vietnamese families, a carefully arranged five-fruit tray is an essential part of the Tet celebration. Each type of fruit, its color, and the way the tray is arranged carry their own significance, reflecting the wishes of the family. While the customs may vary across regions, traditions, and personal beliefs, above all, the arrangement of the fruit tray during the traditional Tet holiday represents respect for one’s ancestors, honoring the origins, and hoping for a prosperous, healthy new year filled with good fortune.

Thu Giang