VietNamNet Bridge – As an annual routine, in the lead up to Tet (Lunar New Year), people in mountainous districts in the central province of Quang Nam start collecting wild grass used for making brooms.

Tran Ngoc Em dries grass for broom making

Such grass grows along the banks of rivers and streams on National Highway 14G from Hoa Phu Commune in Hoa Vang District of Danang City to Ba Commune in Dong Giang District, Quang Nam Province.

Around Tet the grass is long enough for cutting. The grass harvest season usually lasts until the end of the first lunar month, which falls in February.

Tran Ngoc Em, a local resident in Dai Quang Commune, Dai Loc District in Quang Nam, said young men can collect 40 kilograms of grass per day while women can manage to harvest 30 kilograms. The price is VND5,000 (more than 22 U.S. cents) per kilo for fresh grass and VND18,000 for dried grass.

Hoa Ninh Commune of Hoa Vang District is home to households specializing in buying grass for making brooms, creating jobs for thousands of laborers.

Brooms produced by facilities in Quang Nam Province are for sale on domestic and export markets.

Local women carry fresh grass on their back to purchasers       A woman ties a bundle of grass       A woman takes a rest. A hard-working person can earn VND150,000 per day from collecting grass in high season – Photos: Tien Sa

Tien Sa

SGT