Sturdy rooted trees are numbered and tagged with care as visitors arrive to seek advice on choosing a tree that fits their age or living space. In recent years, instead of purchasing trees outright, many families in Điện Biên province have opted for a different approach by renting peach trees for the holiday.

Nguyễn Văn Hùng, a resident of Thanh Nưa commune, manages over 100 rooted peach trees, many of which have been under his care for nearly a decade. In the past, he would sell most of his stock during the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year (Tết) festival, but he often heard from customers that the trees failed to bloom the following year or simply died. Caring for a rooted peach tree is significantly more complex than a standard branch, requiring specific technical knowledge of watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Even a minor error in care can disrupt the growth cycle and ruin the chances of a successful bloom in the next season.

About three years ago, Nguyễn Văn Hùng transitioned to a rental model where customers select their favorite tree a month before the holiday. Once a price is settled, he handles the transport and delivery. After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the trees are collected and brought back to the garden. While this adds extra service steps for the grower, it ensures the trees return to a professional environment where their long-term value is preserved. Interestingly, some regular customers rent the exact same numbered tree every year, turning the rental into a recurring seasonal bond.

For many families, renting a peach tree is a logical choice that fits modern living conditions. Lò Thị Lả, who resides in Residential Group 7 of Điện Biên Phủ ward, lives in a townhouse with limited yard space and struggled in the past to maintain a large purchased tree. This year, she chose to rent after receiving consultation on which tree shape would best fit her home and where to place it for the longest bloom. The tree was delivered before the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, and she no longer has to worry about the long-term maintenance of the plant. Her two young children can now enjoy the blossoms every morning without the family facing a logistical burden after the holiday.

Businesses have also embraced this trend for its economic and logistical benefits. Phạm Đức Minh, the owner of a cafe on Võ Nguyên Giáp street, rented a two-meter rooted tree for his lobby this year. He finds that renting is more proactive and significantly cheaper, often costing only about two-thirds of the purchase price. Since he does not have to worry about disposing of or caring for the tree once the season ends, he can focus entirely on his business. This flexibility makes renting an ideal solution for offices and commercial spaces that want to showcase a majestic rooted tree without a permanent commitment.

From the perspective of the orchard, this creates a sustainable closed-loop cycle. Instead of the traditional “plant, sell, and replace” routine, growers can concentrate on nurturing high-value trees over several years. After recovery, the trees are inspected, pruned, and fertilized to recover their strength. A few months later, new buds begin to appear, signaling the start of a new growth cycle. This model harmonizes the desire to celebrate the spring with the practicalities of a fast-paced urban lifestyle, ensuring that the beauty of the peach trees continues to thrive for many years to come.