THE HANOI TIMES — As Tet approaches, a unique and contemplative form of kumquat bonsai is capturing the attention of Hanoi’s residents. This emerging style shifts the focus from lush, fruit-laden canopies to the intricate, exposed roots beneath, offering a quieter yet profound aesthetic.
The Kumquat garden in Tay Ho Ward. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times
Originating from Tu Lien village, this innovative approach emphasizes the rugged root system, often referred to as the tree’s “soul.” It reflects a deeper appreciation for endurance, balance, and inner strength, moving beyond mere visual abundance.
Kumquat trees remain a cherished Tet tradition in Vietnamese households, alongside peach blossoms and ochna flowers. Typically adorned with full, rounded crowns bursting with fruit, they are placed in living rooms to bring warmth during the chilly northern winter.
The vibrant orange clusters symbolize fertility and prosperity, with the belief that a heavier fruit yield signifies greater luck in the coming year. During the festivities, families often embellish the trees with greeting cards and talismans, blending age-old customs with this evolving bonsai art.
This Tet season, a new variation has emerged: the Moc Can kumquat bonsai. Crafted by artisans in Tu Lien Ward, this design seamlessly merges horticulture with storytelling, pairing meticulously trained kumquat trees with miniature architectural elements.
Ngo Thu Trang, owner of Xuan Loc kumquat garden and the visionary behind this concept, explains that each piece conveys a meaningful message. She describes the house as a symbol of family bonds, fostering resilience, connecting generations, and helping individuals overcome adversity.
Bonsai artist Thu Trang poses with her kumquat bonsai.
To bring these scenes to life, Trang incorporates miniature models inspired by the tiled-roof houses of the Northern Delta, communal houses of the Central Highlands, and Hanoi’s ancient architecture. The result is a bonsai that feels both intimate and culturally resonant.
The defining feature of this style is the “wooden root” kumquat. Unlike traditional forms that prioritize fruit density and symmetry, this approach centers on the exposed roots. In Sino-Vietnamese, moc means tree, and can means root—a name that encapsulates the philosophy behind the form. The roots rise upward, gnarled and resilient, mirroring human perseverance.
This beauty, however, comes with challenges. Exposed roots make the tree more fragile, complicating nutrient absorption and moisture control. The soil dries faster, necessitating constant monitoring and meticulous adjustments.
Crafting a basic tree takes two to three years, while exceptional specimens can require seven to eight years to achieve harmony between roots, trunk, and canopy.
In a market often driven by surface-level abundance, Tu Lien’s kumquat bonsai offers a subtler narrative, aligning with Tet’s deeper themes of continuity, endurance, and hope.
In the days leading up to Tet, ripe kumquats glow gold against dense green foliage in Tu Lien village, Hanoi, along the banks of the Red River.
Soil moisture is closely monitored to prevent roots from drying during the critical growing period.
Alongside larger specimens, small kumquat bonsai trees are sculpted in varied forms to suit compact urban homes.
For the 2026 Lunar New Year, kumquat trees are valued not only as holiday decorations but as living artworks.
Each tree reflects years of cultivation, symbolizing resilience, growth, and aspiration.
Moc Can kumquat bonsai represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship in Tu Lien village, where artisans shape each tree into a detailed miniature landscape.
The Magic of Tet: A Cultural Journey Through Vietnam’s Regions, Hosted in Can Tho.
To celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet), the southern Vietnamese city of Can Tho will, for the first time, present a unique showcase of cultural traditions from across the country. This vibrant city will play host to festivities that celebrate the diverse and rich heritage of Vietnam, with a focus on the distinct cultural practices of the southern, central, and northern regions.
Hanoi’s Tempting Cultural Programs for Tourists on Tet
Hanoi is actively working towards offering a wider range of tourism experiences in order to entice more visitors to the capital during the 2024 Tet holiday.
Overseas Vietnamese eagerly await Tet and spring
For the majority of overseas Vietnamese, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one mean a lot to them when living far from homeland.
Vietnamese Tet: Don’t take out the garbage!
Each year, the Lunar New Year creeps up on us, slowly bubbling up to a dramatic apex, then, just like that, the new moon begins, signaling the start of a fresh chapter. Last year was definitely the Year of the Rat, sneaky, slimy, and carrier of scary diseases. Phew! How glad we all are to […]
