As the Tet holiday approaches, Tran Van Liem’s family in Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province, is busier than ever. People from all over the northern region come to buy giant jicama, a unique Tet ornamental plant in recent years.
Liem, 67, attributes this year’s larger and more beautiful jicamas, with less damage, to the particularly favorable weather and his family’s accumulated experience and meticulous care.
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| Tran Van Liem (R) and his family member harvest giant jicama in their garden in Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: M.Nguyet / Tuoi Tre |
The family managed to grow 200 giant jicamas, with the heaviest weighing approximately 22 kilograms.
Prices range from VND500,000 (US$20) to VND2 million ($81) each, higher than last year’s rates.
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| A giant jicama weighs 12 kilograms in Tran Van Liem’s garden in Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: M.Nguyet / Tuoi Tre |
Cultivated by Liem’s family for nearly a decade, these giant jicamas originated from a gift from a friend.
The family has taken meticulous care in their growth, focusing on improving the soil, watering precisely, and thoughtful fertilization.
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| Tran Van Liem’s family members hold giant jicamas grown in his garden in Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: M.Nguyet / Tuoi Tre |
Usually planted in the sixth lunar month and harvested just in time for the Lunar New Year celebration, these jicamas are highly sought after by customers who believe they can bring fortune, luck, joy, and sweetness into their homes for the new year.
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| Tran Van Liem’s family member holds giant jicama grown in his garden in Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: M.Nguyet / Tuoi Tre |
In addition to their unique appearance, the giant jicamas are highly valued for their delicious, sweet, cooling, and more pronounced flavor compared to regular jicamas.
While regular jicamas are commonly eaten raw as snacks in northern Vietnam or cooked as vegetables throughout the country, the exceptional taste of giant jicamas makes them a popular and sought-after choice for Tet celebrations.
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