Organic Shine Muscat grape cultivation on Ha Tinh hilly land

Synchronous application of technical advances

In late April 2024, Nguyen The Hoan in Thanh Binh village, Mai Hoa commune (Ha Tinh) invested in improving 1,200 m² of hilly land to develop a Shine Muscat grape-growing model. Originating in Japan, Shine Muscat is considered a high-value grape variety, but it requires stringent growing conditions, particularly regarding irrigation, nutrient management, humidity, and pest management.

Given Ha Tinh's climate, characterized by prolonged hot weather, heavy rainfall, and persistently high humidity, introducing Shine Muscat grapes into production has posed many challenges. To adapt the crop to local conditions, Hoan proactively studied technical procedures, drew on experience from grape-growing models both inside and outside the province, and invested in production infrastructure.

The entire cultivation area has been equipped with a protective covering system to reduce the impact of heavy rain and heat radiation during periods of intense sunshine. The growing area features raised beds to ensure effective drainage and prevent root waterlogging during the rainy season. The irrigation system is adjusted at each stage of plant growth to maintain appropriate moisture levels, helping to limit pest and disease outbreaks and improve plant growth.

The production process follows an organic-oriented approach. During cultivation, the grower prioritizes composted manure and microbial fertilizers to improve soil fertility, increase organic matter content, and provide plants with sustainable nutrients. Limiting the use of chemical fertilizers helps improve soil conditions and creates a favorable environment for microorganisms to develop, thereby enhancing the plants' resilience to external conditions.

For pest management, Hoan prioritizes prevention. The grapevines are regularly pruned to improve air circulation and reduce humidity within the canopy. This is combined with orchard sanitation and regular monitoring of pest and disease developments to enable timely detection and treatment. The grape clusters are bagged during development to minimize the impact of insects and weather conditions, thereby reducing pesticide use and improving product quality.

"During the initial stage, the model faced considerable difficulties because this was the first time the variety had been grown locally. However, through close monitoring of the crop’s growth, along with adjustments in the care processes to suit the local climate and soil conditions, the vines have gradually adapted, grown steadily, and produced positive results," Hoan excitedly said.

According to Hoan, production experience has shown that the synchronous application of technical solutions, particularly the organic-oriented management of irrigation, nutrition, and pests, has improved fruit quality while laying the foundation for the vineyard's stable development in subsequent growing seasons.

Combining the model with experiential tourism

After more than a year of cultivation, the vineyard produced its first harvest in mid-2025, yielding about 100 kg of fruit at an average selling price of VND 200,000/kg. Now, after more than two years, the vines are growing steadily and preparing for their second harvest, with output expected to reach about 200 kg, double that of the first crop.

Not only has the yield increased, but fruit quality has also improved significantly. The grapes are more uniform in size, have a richer sweetness, and boast a better, more consistent appearance, as the vines have adapted to local climatic conditions and the cultivation techniques have been refined through each production cycle.

In addition to the direct economic value generated by product sales, the Shine Muscat grape-growing model in Mai Hoa commune has attracted many local residents and visitors to the vineyard for sightseeing and experiences during the harvest season. "When we come here, we not only have a beautiful setting for taking photos but can also see firsthand the owner's methodical investment in the production process. This gives us confidence in the origin of the products," said Nguyen Thuy Nga, a visitor to Hoan’s vineyard.

In the coming period, Nguyen The Hoan plans to continue monitoring the vines' growth, further refine organic cultivation practices, and expand the growing area to improve productivity and product quality. At the same time, he hopes to develop the model into a sightseeing and experiential tourism destination to promote local agricultural products and generate additional income from tourism services.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Anh, Vice Chairman of the Mai Hoa Commune People's Committee, Hoan's Shine Muscat grape-growing model has initially demonstrated its adaptability to the commune's hilly terrain. In addition to developing the locality's key orange crop, applying scientific and technical advances to the cultivation of new crops not only creates economically valuable products but also helps diversify the local crop structure.

“In the coming period, we will continue accompanying local residents to promote the products, support consumption linkages, and encourage households to visit the vineyard and learn from its experience, with a view to gradually replicating the model. This will contribute to developing green agricultural production models, increasing local residents’ incomes, and promoting sustainable rural economic development,” said the Vice Chairman of the Mai Hoa Commune People's Committee.

$1 = VND 26,480 - Source: Vietcombank.