Pear trees climb the hills, bringing prosperity to Tan Phong

VH6 pear thrives on steep slopes

In early June, the pear orchard owned by Ma Cang Dinh in Say San 1 residential group, Tan Phong ward, Lai Chau province, entered the harvest season.

Across the lush green hillside, more than 100 VH6 pear trees were laden with fruit. Beneath the canopies covering the slope, groups of workers divided tasks among themselves, harvesting, sorting, and packing pears into boxes for delivery to traders. Round, plump pears with greenish-yellow skin filled plastic baskets lining the pathway.

Nearly ten years ago, the 3,900-square-meter plot was mainly for corn and cassava planting. The steep terrain and poor yields generated only modest incomes. In 2017, Dinh's family received pear seedlings through Lai Chau province's temperate fruit development program.

At the time, many local residents remained cautious because pears were a new crop requiring years of care before producing fruit. “I thought that if I didn't have the guts to change, I would remain stuck with corn and cassava. Since the government supported the seedlings, my family decided to give it a try,” Dinh said.

During the early years, his family had to learn everything from digging planting holes and applying fertilizer to pruning and canopy formation, all under the guidance of technicians. Whenever the trees suffered pest attacks or showed slow growth, he sought advice from agricultural extension officers.

“Pear trees are not particularly difficult to grow, but farmers must closely monitor each stage of development. January and February are the main months for pruning and canopy shaping. After fruit set in April, small or poorly developed fruits are removed to concentrate nutrients on the remaining pears. The orchard primarily uses composted livestock manure. Before harvest, additional potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied to improve fruit quality,” he said.

After three years of care, the orchard produced its first harvest in 2020. Initial yields were just over 10 kilograms per tree, but productivity increased steadily and has now exceeded 30 kilograms per tree. In 2025, each tree generated an average income of around VND 1 million, with pears selling for VND 25,000 - 30,000 per kilogram.

“Seeing the trees loaded with fruit motivates me to take even better care of them. Compared to growing corn and cassava, pears bring much higher economic returns,” Dinh said.

Dinh's family is not alone. Many households in the Say San area have also converted low-efficiency farmland into pear orchards. Today, the former Nung Nang commune area (now part of Tan Phong ward) has established approximately 64 hectares of concentrated pear production.

A VietGAP pear cooperative group

VH6 pears were first introduced to Lai Chau in 2012 through pilot projects supported by the former Lai Chau Agricultural Extension Center. Initially covering just 2.2 hectares, the trials demonstrated how well-suited the plant was to the region's climate and soil conditions.

The VH6 variety is now well-known for its strong growth. It is easy to cultivate and has a basic establishment period of four to five years. The fruit ripens early, around late June, offering a mild sweetness with little astringency, making it popular with consumers. Thanks to its strong economic performance, pear acreage has consistently expanded. Many farmers have independently purchased additional seedlings to enlarge their orchards.

In Giang Ma village (Ta Leng commune, Lai Chau province), pear cultivation has also developed rapidly. The locality now has more than 116 hectares of temperate fruit trees, of which around 96 hectares are producing fruit, with annual output estimated at 780 tons.

Nguyen Van Bien, Director of the Lai Chau Agricultural Extension and Technical Center, said, “During the initial implementation phase, participating households received 100% support in terms of seedlings. Depending on the program, farmers also received support covering 50 - 100% of fertilizer costs in the first year and partial support in subsequent years.”

Lai Chau has also introduced several policies to promote commercial agriculture, including Resolution No. 13/2019/NQ-HDND on encouraging agricultural production and marketing linkages and Resolution No. 07 on concentrated commodity agriculture development for the 2021-2025 period. Through these policies, farmers receive support for seedlings, agricultural inputs, technical training, and the development of concentrated production models.

“The most important thing is helping farmers change their cultivation practices. Once they master proper techniques, yields become more stable, fruit quality improves, and economic value increases,” Director Bien said.

Local authorities have increasingly focused on improving product quality. In May 2024, the Nung Nang VietGAP Pear Cooperative Group was established in Tan Phong ward. In early 2025, a VietGAP-oriented pear cultivation model was launched with eight participating households across 2.5 hectares.

Participants received training in balanced fertilization, canopy management, fruit thinning, production record-keeping, and safe pest management practices. After six months, many orchards showed stronger growth, denser foliage, and higher fruit-setting rates.

According to assessments by technical agencies, average yields reached nearly 30 kilograms per tree. Most fruits weighed between 180 and 250 grams, while approximately 10% exceeded 300 grams. Fruit quality became more uniform, appearance improved, and market competitiveness increased.

Along with improving fruit quality, Tan Phong ward is gradually developing experiential tourism linked to pear-growing areas.

Earlier this June, leaders of the Tan Phong Ward People's Committee, specialized departments, the ward's General Services Center, and related agencies conducted field inspections of the pear-growing region in preparation for the 2026 Tan Phong Pear Harvest Festival.

At orchards in the Say San area, the delegation surveyed landscapes, fruit maturity levels, cultivation conditions, and transportation links to visitor sites. Discussions were also held with farmers and local officials regarding festival organization.

The locality plans to establish the main stage in the center of the pear-growing area while creating pear-picking experiences, promoting local agricultural products, and showcasing OCOP products. Plans for product marketing, visitor reception, and photo check-in locations within the orchards are also under consideration. According to local leaders, the goal is not only to sell more pears but also to gradually turn the pear-growing region into a seasonal tourism destination.

Hoang Van Sinh, Head of the Economic Division of Tan Phong ward, said that pears have become one of the highest-value fruit crops in the locality. The locality is pursuing concentrated pear production associated with high-quality standards while gradually building a strong product brand.

$ 1 = VND 26,410. Source: Vietcombank.