Going to the districts of Yen Son, Son Duong, Ham Yen and Na Hang in Tuyen Quang Province, visitors will see straight greenish tea beds everywhere. Tea tree adapts very well with the soil and cool climate in the province, thus bringing a large economic potential for local people.

According to Nguyen Tho Lai, Deputy Director of Tuyen Quang Province’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department, the province has defined tea tree as a key tool for hunger elimination and poverty reduction and raising the living standards of people in districts all over the province, especially in the areas where ethnic groups live.

Since 2007, the province has devised many policies to support farmers in cultivating tea tree, established specialized areas for clean tea cultivation in Tu Quan Commune, Yen Son District and Bat Village, Ham Yen District and guided the people in Sinh Long Commune, Na Hang District in how to plant protective forests.

This combines with engaging in business with Shan Tuyet tea tree. Tuyen Quang tea is not only popularly consumed at home but also is exported to Pakistan and India.

We visited the clean tea cultivating area in Tu Quan Commune on harvest time. Although it approached nightfall we still saw some people picking tea and hearing the purr of the cutting machines on slightly slopping hills. Nguyen Van Tien, an experienced farmer, said: “Now, the income from tea is quite good, so most farmers cultivate tea tree and invest in cutting machines to raise productivity and quality.”

Since 2000, the people in Na Hang District have implemented the government’s “greening bald hills” project to develop the economy, improve the living standards and create a stable income.

They planted about 800ha of Shan Tuyet tea tree in many villages of Sinh Long Commune and in 2001 the total area of cultivating Shan Tuyet tea tree reached over 1,000ha.

After ten years of carrying out the project, Shan Tuyet tea tree is not only useful in greening bald hills, but also is a plant of high economic value. It contributes to creating a sustainable income and enhancing the living standards of the community.

At present, Shan Tuyet clean tea products are not only much sought after by domestic customers but also are exported to the international market.

Thank to plentiful and good quality resources, Tuyen Quang Province has many units processing tea for export. Some of them like My Lam Tea Joint-stock Company, Tan Trao Tea Joint-stock Company and Song Lo Tea Joint-stock Company have become prestigious in the market. This has ensured the output of tea and the farmers’ income.

Now, along with famous brands such as Tan Cuong Tea of Thai Nguyen Province, Suoi Giang Tea of Yen Bai Province, Shan Tuyet Tea of Hoang Su Phi-Ha Giang Province and Lam Dong Tea, Tuyen Quang tea also has gained a stable position in the market for its special quality.

Source: VNP