From early morning, the Na Ka plum valley - known as the sweet fruit capital of the Moc Chau plateau was bustling with streams of visitors flocking to the festival. Endless green hills were dotted with clusters of dark red, ripe late plums, plump and coated in a delicate white bloom, inviting visitors to experience the harvest season.

The 10th Moc Chau Plum Picking Festival - Thao Nguyen 2026.

Delegates visit the Moc Chau agricultural product booth at the festival.
Sharing the significance of the festival, Nguyen Thanh Van, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thao Nguyen ward, said that the plum picking festival is not only a distinctive cultural and tourism event of the locality, but also an occasion to honour farmers who have devotedly preserved and cultivated the renowned Moc Chau plum brand.

The festival also serves as an opportunity to promote the image of the beautiful plateau, boost experiential and agricultural tourism, and create a space connecting farmers, businesses, investors and visitors.

The plum picking competition at the festival.

Teams participate in the plum picking competition.

Following a special art performance showcasing the rich cultural identity of ethnic communities on the plateau, delegates and visitors immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere. Five teams representing residential areas enthusiastically took part in the plum picking contest, with strict rules requiring participants to pick plums by hand without shaking the trees, breaking branches, striking the fruit or carrying out any actions that could damage the plum trees.

Amid enthusiastic cheers from the crowds, skilled local farmers demonstrated their impressive plum picking techniques. In just five minutes, the team from Cho Long residential area harvested the biggest amount - 70 kilogrammes of plums.

Teams participate in the plum eating contest.

Spectators and tourists participate in the plum eating contest.

Equally lively was the plum eating contest featuring the freshly picked fruit harvested by the teams themselves. Each team selected one representative to compete. Rules require participants to show enjoyment while eating the plums and leave as little flesh as possible on the pits. After one minute, the team from Pa Khen residential group achieved the best result, finishing 19 plums.

Contestants had to demonstrate both speed and skill in eating the plums, ensuring that very little flesh remained on the pits. After one minute, Pa Khen residential area's team achieved the best result by finishing 19 plums.

In the fruit-display competition, ripe red plums were creatively combined with Moc Chau’s signature agricultural products. Through the skillful hands of the contestants, the displays were shaped into tourism maps and models of famous tourist destinations across the Moc Chau plateau.

Tourists experience picking plums in the orchard.

Immersed in the vibrant festival atmosphere, Nguyen Thu Trang, a visitor from Hanoi, shared: “This is the first time my family has visited Moc Chau during the plum picking festival, and the atmosphere is truly wonderful and rich in cultural identity. I was especially impressed by the beautifully decorated fruit displays created by the competing teams and the highly entertaining plum-eating contest.
Being able to hand-pick and enjoy crisp, juicy plums right in the orchard was an unforgettable experience. Next time, I’ll definitely invite more friends to come and enjoy them together."

ivestreaming to promote Moc Chau agricultural products at the festival.

Alongside the traditional activities, a new highlight of this year’s event was a livestream session promoting Moc Chau agricultural products held directly at the festival venue. The activity helped bring fresh plums and other signature products such as milk, tea and honey closer to consumers nationwide through digital platforms.

Branches heavy with ripe plums.

The plum orchards, heavy with fruit, are the result of the sweat and hard work of farmers who have devoted themselves to caring for them day and night. For local residents, the festival is not only a playground but also an occasion to reap the “sweet fruits” of their labour.

Trang A Sua from Pa Khen residential area shared: “Plum trees have been closely connected with people in Thao Nguyen for generations, helping us escape poverty and build prosperity on our homeland. Seeing visitors from across the country come to the festival, praise the quality of Moc Chau plums, and place orders continuously during livestream sessions makes farmers extremely happy. We will continue applying more scientific and technical advances to preserve and elevate the Moc Chau plum brand.”

Tourists experience picking plums in the orchard.  

The tug-of-war competition at the festival.

Foreign tourists are impressed with Moc Chau's plums.

The 10th Moc Chau Plum Picking Festival - Thao Nguyen 2026 concluded with lasting impressions of a green, friendly and hospitable plateau. The success of the festival once again affirmed the locality’s commitment to developing green and sustainable agriculture while enhancing product value and improving local incomes.