The variety is called Ham Xoong plums because this particular type was brought by the local people of Ham Xoong 1 and 2 from their homeland in Lào Cai province. According to Mùa A Chu, head of Ham Xoong 2 village, since settling here, the H’mong people in the village have brought the plum variety from Lào Cai and planted it in this region. Thanks to the favorable soil and climate, the plums have grown well. Although many of the trees are almost 20 years old, the plums are still large-sized, crisp, sweet, and easy to pit, which makes them popular.

As Mùa A Chu said, despite the age of many trees, Ham Xoong plums still produce the best fruit in the district. The two villages, Ham Xoong 1 and 2, are nestled in a deep valley, offering a cool climate and the right soil to nurture this particular plum variety. The Ham Xoong plums continue to thrive and grow.

Visiting the orchard of Mùa A Chu (same name as the village head), in Ham Xoong 2 village, I saw him and his family eagerly picking plums. The plums, dark red with a thin layer of white powder, are plump and juicy. Mùa A Chu shared that the plum season lasts about a month, from mid-May to mid-June. At the beginning of the season, individual plums need to be selected carefully. By mid-June, the plums reach their peak ripeness, and harvesting must be done quickly to sell them before they spoil.

Mùa A Chu owns the largest plum orchard in the village with over 50 plum trees. In years of good harvests, his family collects tons of plums, generating tens of millions of VND in income. Recognizing the economic value of the plums, he and his wife have started layering new plum trees to expand their orchard.

According to the people of Ham Xoong, the land here is ideal for both plums and peaches. The plum trees grow naturally and thrive, producing large, sweet fruits. However, when the same plum variety is planted in other villages, even within the same commune, the plums tend to be smaller and sourer, not as tasty as those grown in Ham Xoong. This could be why Ham Xoong plums are more expensive than the common “tam hoa” plums grown in other areas of the district. At the start of the season, the price is around VND 20,000 - 25,000/kg, and during peak season, it drops to VND 15,000 - 20,000/kg.

Looking at the branches full of ripe plums, we are pleased by the economic value that these fruits bring to the local people. However, the market for Ham Xoong plums is still a concern for the villagers. Due to several objective factors, such as the short season and difficult transportation, the market for the plums remains limited.

Another issue is that most of the local people do not yet view plum cultivation as a full-fledged economic activity. Except for some households that grow plums commercially, most still see them as “a gift from nature,” only harvesting them when someone asks to buy. As a result, despite their fame for being delicious, Ham Xoong plums still have limited market access, mostly within the commune or district.

To further develop Ham Xoong plums, Vàng Đán commune has selected this variety to be part of the “One Commune, One Product” program under the new rural development initiative. With support from specialized district departments, the commune has begun planting and grafting 1,300 plum trees at three households in Ham Xoong 2 village. These grafted trees are already producing fruit, and the goal is to expand this model to a larger scale and build a brand for Ham Xoong plums.

Chảo A Páo, the Chairman of Vàng Đán commune People’s Committee, said: “In March 2025, with nearly 340 million đồng from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, people from Ham Xoong 1 and 2 villages received support to plant 6.6 hectares of plums. This brings the total area of plum cultivation in these villages to nearly 17 hectares. The commune has also connected with two companies in Sơn La province to help with the sale of plums during the next season.”

As the best plum variety in the district, Ham Xoong plums are being developed and expanded to become a locally recognized product. It is hoped that in the near future, Ham Xoong plums will establish a brand and expand their market reach. With this, Ham Xoong plums will become a long-term economic asset for the people, helping them escape poverty and even prosper.