Watermelon carvers earn up to $194 each daily as Tet nears in Vietnam’s Dong Thap

At noon on the 27th day of the last lunar month, which fell on February 14 this year, Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Dao Thanh Ward was packed with shoppers preparing for Tet, which lasts a week from February 17.

Among stalls selling flowers and holiday gift baskets, displays of intricately carved watermelons stood out, their green rinds etched with raised characters symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.

Nguyen Thi Yen Anh, 46, from Trung An Ward, sat behind a stack of watermelons, carefully carving letters into the thick rind with a specialized knife.

She said she took up the seasonal craft because of her passion for art and typically begins working from the 23rd or 24th day of the lunar month each year.

To create a neat, raised inscription, Anh first sketches the design with a pen before tracing each line with precise cuts.

The process requires a delicate touch to avoid damaging the flesh of the fruit.

Once the carving is complete, she applies glue to the engraved surface and sprinkles glitter over it to make the lettering more prominent, then finishes with a coat of glossy oil to help preserve the watermelon's freshness through the holiday.

Anh charges between VND40,000 ($1.55) and VND50,000 ($1.94) for carving each watermelon, excluding the fruit itself, which costs around VND35,000 ($1.37) per kilogram.

In the days leading up to Tet, she can carve more than 100 watermelons a day, working almost continuously from morning until evening.

After covering material costs and paying helpers, her earnings range from VND4 million ($155) to VND5 million ($194) per day.

"It's tiring but rewarding. When customers buy them to display for Tet and look pleased, I feel happy too," Anh said.

The bustling trade is not limited to Ly Thuong Kiet Street.

On nearby Ap Bac Street, other vendors offer similarly decorated fruit.

Tran Minh Tam, 39, has carved out his own niche by going beyond the traditional 'Tai' and 'Loc' inscriptions.

In addition to the traditional characters, Tam decorates watermelons with motifs such as dragons, kylins, apricot and peach blossoms, and short festive greetings.

He learned the craft from an acquaintance five years ago and gradually developed more intricate designs to stand out in the market.

"Customers are looking for something distinctive. We have to keep innovating to command better prices," he said.

Depending on the complexity of the design, Tam charges from VND50,000 to VND70,000 ($2.70) per watermelon in labor fees.

He noted that the work demands not only dexterity but also artistic sense and stamina, especially during the busiest days, when he often works late into the night to fulfill pre-orders.

Despite the intensity of the workload, Tam said the seasonal business provides a valuable boost to his family's income each Tet, helping his family cover additional holiday expenses.