In the early summer days, on many streets and markets in Hanoi, it is not difficult to see stalls selling ripe golden apricots with a gentle fragrance.
According to reporters' records, this year's apricots are mainly imported by small traders from the northern mountainous provinces and the My Duc commune area, Hanoi City to sell.
The current apricot price ranges from 30,000 - 50,000 VND/kg, depending on the type, but purchasing power has increased sharply compared to every year.
At Cau Giay market, Ms. Vuong Thi Phu - a long-time small trader - said that Huong Pagoda apricot blossoms are always "out of stock": "Every day, I import about 30kg but sell very quickly, sometimes it's all sold out before noon. The apricot blossom ripening season is very short, only blooming for about ten days to half a month, so customers take advantage of buying a lot.
Similarly, Mr. Nguyen The Nghiep (Ha Dong ward) said that every week, he imports a few quintals of apricot blossoms from Son La to sell: "I have been selling apricot blossoms for several years now. Since the end of March, many people have pre-advised me to keep the goods. Even some people ordered a month ago when the fruit was still small and green, mainly people who trade in soft drinks or make "o mai".
According to Mr. Nghiep, when choosing apricots, consumers should choose fresh, round apricots that are not bruised and rotten and must still have a layer of silk. Soaked apricots are ripe apricots, not too hard or too mushy to produce a delicious soaked apricot pot. Sugar for soaking must also be rock sugar so that the apricot juice after soaking has a mild sweet and sour taste, helping to cool down in the summer.
Not only traditional markets, this year's apricot blossom market is also "hot" on online platforms. After several days of continuously returning apricot blossom orders, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Chi (Long Bien ward, Hanoi City) said that this is her first year of selling.
My family has someone who grows this apricot variety in Lao Cai. I see that purchasing power is increasing, so I also import it to sell around the apartment complex and sell to colleagues at the company. One person introduced another, so the number of orders increased. Customers ordering apricots are all to soak with sugar to make apricot juice to drink to cool off in the summer or to soak in wine," Ms. Chi shared.
For many Hanoians, apricots are not only seasonal fruits but also a part of memories. Living in the Capital for many years, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh (Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi City) every year goes to buy apricots to soak.
Every apricot blossom season, I go to the market to buy dozens of kilograms to soak in water to drink. In the hot weather of Hanoi summer, drinking a glass of apricot blossom water will help the body feel refreshed. Soaking apricot blossoms in salt also has an effect in treating coughs," Ms. Linh said.
As for Ms. Nguyen Huong Lan (Ngoc Ha ward, Hanoi City), "watching" to buy apricots early has become a habit: "Half a month ago, I ordered 20kg of apricots to soak in wine and sugar. The shop owner at that time only received orders, not yet finalizing the price because it still depended on the market. But ordering this specialty fruit is also reassuring to have a cooling drink or a jar of apricot wine to enjoy in the summer.
