Top 14 Most Popular Unique Fruits for Tet Celebrations

Gourd-Shaped Grapefruit is one of the most sought-after fruits for Tet. So why this unusual name? It’s because farmers use molds to shape the fruit while it's still growing on the tree. With its distinctive gourd-like form, this variety is especially popular during Tet as it is believed to bring good fortune, happiness, and health to the household.

Shaping the perfect gourd-shaped grapefruit isn’t an easy task. It requires skillful hands and the right molds to achieve the ideal form. Because of its uniqueness and rarity, this fruit is priced significantly higher than regular grapefruits. A pair of gourd-shaped grapefruits can cost upwards of 1.5 million VND. During Tet, these specially crafted fruits are in high demand and are often difficult to find due to their limited production and steep price.

Mangoes are a common fruit displayed on the Tet offering tray. But ordinary mangoes don’t stand out much, do they? The uniqueness of this fruit comes from the fact that these mangoes have raised letters engraved on them, and some even feature an intricate 'S' shape. This innovation is the result of creative farming in Cao Lãnh City, Đồng Tháp Province.

These are Taiwan mangoes, with lucky characters like 'Phúc' (happiness), 'Lộc' (prosperity), 'Thọ' (longevity), and 'Vạn' (forever) engraved on them. When ripe, the mangoes turn a beautiful golden yellow, and the raised letters remain green, which is the standout feature. This is why these mangoes are highly sought after during Tet. They are priced at 200,000 VND each, and the price can fluctuate depending on demand and weather conditions.

Phoenix Pineapple is similar to varieties like Queen and Cayenne pineapples, widely grown for domestic use and export. The Phoenix pineapple has a large central fruit, double the size of a regular pineapple, surrounded by many smaller fruits, which locals call 'attached fruits'. Its unique appearance, resembling a peacock or phoenix with its bright red color, gives it the name 'Phoenix Pineapple'.

The Phoenix Pineapple is considered beautiful when its top spreads out wide and red, resembling the tail of a phoenix, with smaller fruits encircling the stem. This variety is mostly ornamental, intended for display during Tet, and is not typically eaten. The price ranges from 80,000 VND to 150,000 VND per fruit. Phoenix pineapples thrive in the fertile soil of Đồng Tháp Mười, which is why they are abundantly cultivated there. Due to their striking appearance, these pineapples are highly sought after during Tet.

Not only are the gourd-shaped pomelos popular, but the magical peach-shaped gourds are also highly sought after. The name "magical peach" alone suggests luck and fortune! On top of that, these fruits are uniquely shaped like gourds, making them a highly desirable decoration for Tet celebrations. With their smooth, round, and glossy green skin, even regular peaches look extraordinary. The price for a pair of these magical peaches can exceed 1 million VND, and the price can rise even higher when supplies are scarce.

Initially, these peaches were grown for traditional medicine, but today, thanks to creative farming techniques, the magical peach-shaped gourd has become a must-have item for Tet decorations. The peaches are carefully shaped into gourds, and often feature inscriptions of lucky words like "Wealth", "Fortune", "Happiness", and "Longevity". During Tet, these magical peaches are in high demand, often selling out quickly!

Next, we have watermelon, a fruit that's a little more affordable compared to some of the high-end options we've mentioned earlier. If your budget doesn't allow for expensive fruits, you can opt for a watermelon engraved with characters. These watermelons are not only more affordable but also visually striking, making them a popular choice for many. They are among the most affordable yet unique fruits you can find during Tet.

The engraved watermelon features artistic inscriptions representing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. These watermelons are typically priced between 200,000 and 350,000 VND for those weighing between 4.5 to 5 kg. The carvings often include festive messages like 'Happy New Year', 'Wealth-Happiness-Long Life', or images of the zodiac animals. The price varies depending on the design, weight, and level of artistry in the carving.

The Giant Ky Da Gong Fruit is a popular choice for Tet celebrations. Each fruit weighs between 4 to 5 kg. The golden color of the fruit symbolizes prosperity and completeness, and it is traditionally wrapped in a bundle of banana leaves, representing a hand offering protection and good fortune for the family. This is why the Giant Ky Da is always in high demand around Tet, with prices reaching up to 1.5 million VND per fruit during the holiday season.

Originally from Tuyen Quang and Hoa Binh, this fruit is much larger than ordinary Ky Da fruits, often two to three times heavier. While it may not be as tasty as other citrus fruits, its long-lasting fragrance and impressive size make it a perfect decorative piece for the altar during Tet.

It seems that both the Ky Da Gong fruit and pomelos are very popular during the New Year season. The Royal Red Pomelo is one of the top ten fruits most loved for decorating the Tet fruit trays. This variety, known as the 'Royal Red Pomelo' from Luon Van village, is famous for its appeal and high demand. People from all over eagerly pre-order these fruits every year.

In the North, it is customary to prepare glutinous rice with gac during Tet, as the red color symbolizes prosperity and happiness for the family. This is one of the reasons why the red pomelo is so sought after. The Royal Red Pomelo can only be found in Luon Van. It is priced around 200,000 VND per fruit, and prices can rise further as Tet approaches due to its limited availability.

In the heart of the region known for its unique Tet fruits, a garden in Chau Thanh, Ben Tre has introduced a special variety of coconut featuring engraved or embossed letters. These coconuts, made from green coconut husks, are much more expensive than regular coconuts, which typically cost around 10,000 to 15,000 VND each. While engraved coconuts have been a popular Tet decoration for years, these special coconuts still carry a relatively high price tag during the festive season.

As demand for these coconuts grows this Lunar New Year, producers plan to increase their production. The coconuts symbolize abundance and prosperity, making them highly sought after for Tet celebrations. To enhance their appeal, sellers often add vibrant colors, inscriptions, or decorative paper. Additionally, these coconuts have a long shelf life, making them ideal for prolonged display during the holiday season without worrying about spoilage.

Another unique fruit that rivals the famous pumpkin-shaped pomelo is the golden ingot watermelon. This fruit is the result of the creative and skillful work of farmers, which has made it a favorite. The watermelon is shaped like a golden ingot, with both sides featuring a design of the god of prosperity, Mr. Lộc, and festive New Year couplets, making it an eye-catching decoration. Weighing between 1.8 and 2.2 kg, a pair of these watermelons can cost several million VND.

The golden ingot watermelon is a special variety of yellow watermelon, known for its thick, firm rind and vibrant yellow skin with sporadic golden stripes. The flesh is bright yellow, crisp, and sweet, with black seeds similar to red-fleshed watermelon. Yellow watermelon tends to be sweeter than its red counterpart due to its higher sugar content. Additionally, it is rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, and the antioxidant beta-carotene. It also provides a good amount of dietary fiber.

Have you ever heard the phrase "Phật thiên thủ thiên nhãn" (Buddha with a thousand hands and eyes)? The Buddha's Hand fruit symbolizes a hand, representing good fortune. It's believed that this fruit brings luck and prosperity in the new year to those who receive it as a gift or display it in their home. The shape of the fruit resembles multiple fingers of the Buddha, symbolizing protection from evil and the granting of favorable outcomes.

The Buddha's Hand fruit is a unique and popular fruit, especially in Northern Vietnam. Many people believe that placing it on ancestor altars during Tet brings wealth, good fortune, and divine protection. The price of this fruit ranges from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND and can increase as Tet approaches.

Golden Dragon Fruit originates from the Americas, but is now primarily cultivated in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia. It was briefly tested in Binh Thuan, but due to poor consumer demand, production was halted. Recently, however, the golden variety of dragon fruit has gained popularity in Vietnam's fruit market, especially during the Tet New Year celebrations.

Once people discovered the delicious taste and health benefits of Golden Dragon Fruit, demand surged as they eagerly sought this rare fruit. Its striking golden skin, adorned with vibrant green scales, makes it particularly eye-catching. The yellow skin is also believed to symbolize good fortune and wealth. Unlike the more common red and white dragon fruits, the golden variant is significantly more expensive, ranging from 700,000 to 1,300,000 VND per kilogram.

Have you ever encountered a Buddha's Hand Grapefruit? This fruit is becoming a popular choice for decorative displays during the upcoming Tet festival. Not only are gourd-shaped grapefruits in demand, but Buddha's Hand grapefruits are also highly sought after during the Lunar New Year.

Shaping a Buddha's Hand grapefruit is far more intricate than crafting a gourd-shaped one. Achieving the perfect shape is no easy task. Each of these fruits is priced at around 600,000 VND per piece. The Buddha’s protection symbolizes happiness, fulfillment, and health for the family. This variety of grapefruit boasts a more vibrant and elegant appearance compared to the Buddha’s Hand fruit, but it comes with a significantly higher price tag. This exotic fruit is also a rare find, especially during Tet celebrations.

Papaya, as its name suggests, is often displayed during the Tet festival. In Vietnamese culture, offering papaya symbolizes wishes for abundance and prosperity, both in terms of wealth and emotional well-being. Papayas with calligraphy inscriptions are also unique and highly sought after during Tet. These special papayas are long, dense, and can be kept for a long time, selling for around 100,000 VND each.

Compared to other fruits like grapefruit, mango, or watermelon, calligraphy-etched papayas are more affordable and accessible for many people. Moreover, they can last 10 to 15 days while still remaining fresh and delicious. Much like pineapples and coconuts, papayas represent fullness and are cherished during Tet. Calligraphy-etched papayas are especially popular and often sell out quickly due to high demand during the Lunar New Year season.

As Tet draws near, the Buddha-shaped pears have become highly sought after. Their unique shape has made them popular as gifts or decorations for altars, with the belief that they bring good luck, wealth, and prosperity to the recipient and the household. These pears are seen as a symbol of good fortune for the new year.

Do you know why these pears are so rare and special? The molds for creating the Buddha-shaped pears are placed around the small fruit early on, and as the pear grows, it takes the shape of the mold. The cultivation process is intricate, and yields are low, making these pears quite expensive. Typically, they are sold in pairs for around 2 million VND. Although the price is high, their unique and striking design makes them highly popular during Tet.