(VOVWORLD) - The Year of the Horse 2026 is just around the corner, and Vietnam’s ornamental kumquat market has entered its busiest season of the year, when each tree is a symbol of hopes for prosperity, luck, and a fulfilling New Year.
 Tu Lien kumquat village, Hanoi’s hub for ornamental kumquat trees, is in its busiest season of the year. (Photo: Minh Duc) |
These days, the Tet atmosphere pervades streets and small alleys nationwide and the kumquat market has reached its peak. From dawn until late at night, the market stays busy.
Kumquat trees line the sidewalks along major streets in Hanoi. Miniature trees are chosen for desks, giant ones end up in lobbies and office halls. The trading atmosphere is noticeably more pressure-filled than usual.
 Thorough care is needed to ensure the quality of the kumquat trees as the Lunar New Year approaches. (Photo: Minh Duc) |
In Me So, Hung Yen province, garden owners have unveiled special creations designed to welcome the Lunar New Year – kumquat trees shaped like a horse or a herd of horses, bearing auspicious names like “Success Arriving on Horseback”or “Galloping Horse to Heaven”. These elaborate works can cost as much as 17,000 USD.
“The ‘Success Arriving on Horseback’ piece, our largest work, measures 8.9 meters long by 3 meters high. It features eight horses. Another piece, ‘Galloping Horse to Heaven’ has one horse pulling a money bag and another pulling a gold bar. We also have the ‘Loving Horse Couple’, depicting a pair of horses together,” Truong My Tam, owner of the Hung Tam Ornamental Garden in Hung Yen, said.
 The “Success Arriving on Horseback” kumquat trees created by Hung Tam garden, Hung Yen province. (Photo: Nguyen Cong Hai/VNA) |
According to many garden owners, this year’s favorable weather has caused the kumquat trees to bear abundant fruit with lush green leaves and a radiant golden color.
Buyers are paying more attention to shape and feng shui symbolism. A tree is no longer judged solely by the density of its fruit, but also by its balanced form, harmonious canopy, and strong roots.
Streams of trucks transport kumquat trees from the gardens to flower markets and shops in the inner city. The closer Tet approaches, the busier the market becomes.
Truong Ngoc Anh, owner of a kumquat shop in Hanoi, said, “This year has seen a bumper crop. The trees are beautiful and healthy, with consistent quality across the gardens. Prices are reasonable and have not fluctuated much.”
 Customers visit a garden to choose kumquat trees for home decoration. (Photo: Minh Duc) |
According to the traders, buyers look for a tree that suits their budget, is easy to care for, and will stay fresh well beyond the Tet holiday.
Nguyen Huy Phuc, a resident of Thanh Liet ward in Hanoi and a kumquat lover, said, “This year’s kumquats are flawless. The fruits are large and beautiful. Buying early may cost a bit more, but when you love a tree and want to enjoy it now, the price doesn’t matter.”