The commune’s lychee sector is a major economic driver for residents, but typhoon No. 11 in 2025 and heavy October floods left hundreds of hectares waterlogged, with many trees dying or suffering stunted growth.

An official from the commune’s Economic Affairs Division (far left) instructs farmer on how to care for lychee trees.

Irregular winter temperatures and a delayed warm season have also prompted some trees to break dormancy and produce vegetative shoots instead of flower buds, reducing the likelihood of a full bloom.

“Within the same orchard you can see variation: some branches have just started to show buds, some are beginning to bloom, while others have only flushed tender reddish shoots,” said Ngo Van Nghia, head of Quat Du 2 hamlet, during a survey of the local orchards.

He said the hamlet cultivates more than 30 hectares of lychee under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, with producers generally securing higher prices than non-certified fruit in past seasons.

But he added that output this year is expected to be lower than last year because many trees have weakened root systems and weather remains unfavourable.

One grower, Nguyen Thi Tuoi, who tends almost one hectare, said she harvested more than 10 tonnes last year and sold fruit at an average of 18,000-25,000 VND per kg, with prices higher at the start of the season.

“This year I estimate only about 50% of trees in my orchard will flower, less than last year. I’m spraying to control caterpillars and other pests to protect the new flowers,” she said.

Officials from the commune’s economic office said approximately 250 hectares across Phuc Hoa, part of the commune’s total lychee area, were affected in their growth and development by the flooding in October 2025.

After floodwaters receded, local authorities guided growers on recovery measures such as clearing drainage channels to prevent waterlogging and applying restorative fertilisers. Despite these efforts, many trees have yet to return to normal growth.

Lychee sales generate hundreds of billions of VND annually for the commune. To stabilise production under adverse weather, agricultural authorities are urging farmers to combine multiple technical measures.

Fertiliser regimes should be adjusted to limit nitrogenous fertiliser, while prioritising well-rotted manure and phosphorus and potassium to improve cold tolerance, encourage floral initiation and strengthen branches; supplements of calcium, magnesium and silicon are recommended where feasible.

Growers are advised to maintain relatively dry soil conditions for lychee to stimulate flower bud formation and to avoid encouraging winter shoots. Pest and disease control must begin before flowering.

When winter shoots appear, growers should promptly cease irrigation and stop fertilising, and consider removing young vegetative shoots to concentrate the tree’s resources on floral buds. Heavy pruning during cold spells is discouraged; instead, maintaining an open canopy helps reduce fungal disease risk and allows early detection of root and stem problems.

Nguyen Thi Tuoi sprays pesticides to protect early-season lychee blossoms.

The provincial Crop Production and Plant Protection sub-department (under the Department of Agriculture and Environment) has urged commune and ward authorities, including Phuc Hoa, to assign technical staff to regularly inspect orchards, closely monitor weather developments and guide growers in applying stage-appropriate interventions.

Special attention should be paid to timely surveillance and treatment of pests such as oak caterpillar and geometrid caterpillars and to diseases like downy mildew and anthracnose.

Phuc Hoa’s early lychee has long enjoyed domestic and international recognition, with businesses and traders linking production for export markets including China, Japan, the United States, Europe and South Korea.

Export production zones are therefore subject to strict monitoring. Despite natural setbacks, local authorities and agricultural specialists said they expect that with coordinated action and farmers’ efforts the commune can still look forward to a rewarding lychee season that will contribute vital income for households.

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