Unique century-old mangosteen trees in Can Tho

Located in Xeo Cao Hamlet, Thanh Xuan Commune, Can Tho, the Mangosteen Garden Ecotourism Site spans 2.3 hectares and is home to two mangosteen trees that are more than 100 years old, regarded as historical “witnesses” to a land rich in revolutionary traditions.

The owner of the garden, Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, commonly known as Mr. Tam Tan, was born in 1969. He said that around 1920, his grandfather, Nguyen Van Hue, purchased mangosteen seedlings from traders arriving by boat from former Tien Giang province and brought them home to plant in the family garden.

In the early days, the trees were protected from sunlight and wind with banana leaves and fertilized with manure and decomposed grass to help them adapt to the new soil conditions. After nearly 10 years of care, the trees began bearing their first fruits.

Having endured both the resistance wars against the French and the Americans, the garden was once abandoned, yet the two mangosteen trees continued to survive resiliently amid bombings and natural disasters. According to Mr. Tam Tan, traces of the wars can still be seen on the tree trunks today.

“From these two original mangosteen trees, my father realized that the species was highly suitable for the local soil and climate conditions and possessed remarkable vitality, so he continued propagating them throughout the garden,” Mr. Tam Tan shared.

To date, Mr. Tam Tan’s family has developed more than 200 mangosteen trees that are between 40 and 50 years old. In addition, he has planted nearly 300 more mangosteen trees that are about five years old.

Each year, the garden harvests around 15 tons of mangosteen. The two century-old mangosteen trees alone yield more than 300 kilograms of fruit per tree annually, generating profits of about USD 11,500 per year.

Beyond their economic value, the lush orchard, highlighted by the two century-old mangosteen trees, has become a popular attraction for visitors seeking sightseeing and hands-on experiences. As a result, in mid-2023, Mr. Tam Tan boldly developed the site into the Mangosteen Garden Ecotourism Area.

Visitors can personally pick fruits, ride boats, catch fish, and enjoy rustic Mekong Delta specialties such as mangosteen chicken salad, grilled snakehead fish, and climbing perch braised with gac fruit.

With nearly 30 years of experience working as a tour guide at the Tam Vu Victory Historical and Cultural Relic Site in Thanh Xuan Commune, Mr. Tam Tan also shares historical stories associated with this heroic land with visitors.

Currently, the authorities of Thanh Xuan Commune are orienting the development of orchard-based ecotourism linked to the area’s distinctive historical and cultural values. In the coming period, the commune plans to encourage local residents to cooperate in building community-based tourism models, promoting the consumption of local agricultural products, and creating a signature destination for the Tam Vu region.