Once there, there are tens of ancient cinnamon trees with trunks large enough for three people to embrace.

Many cinnamon trees are perched way up on the mountain side, rooting into cliffs as if to prove that in order to create the famous Tra My cinnamon scent, they have to sustain sun, wind and storm, and even the devastating effects of war. 

Bui Xuan Duong, the village patriarch from Tra Van commune, who led reporters to the cinnamon forest, said the forest has existed for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, locals grow more young trees every year.

It is estimated that every household has tens of cinnamon trees. Despite big challenges, everyone vows to protect the cinnamon forest.

There is a cinnamon forest, hundreds of years old, on the Mount of Ngoc Linh. One has to pass through tens of hills, muddy roads and climb many rocks for hours to reach the mysterious forest, located in Tra Van commune of Nam Tra My district in Quang Nam province.

Ho Van Dao, 76, said the forest had existed there before he was born. Cinnamon is the precious tree of the Ngoc Linh area which helps locals treat diseases and domesticated animals. 

Tra My cinnamon brand is well known in Vietnam and the world. Sometimes, locals want to sell cinnamon trees to get money to cover their basic needs. However, no matter how big the difficulties, locals swear that they won’t harm the ancient forest.

No written document about the protection of the forest has been compiled and no agreement has been signed, but they have been consistent in protecting the cinnamon forest.

Tra My cinnamon fragrance 

Tra Van commune of Nam Tra My has 2,600 residents, while 98 percent of them are Ca Dong ethnic minority people. The number of poor households accounts for over 80 percent.

Ong Ni hamlet, with 60 households, is the locality with the highest number of people owning ancient cinnamon trees. Each of the households has at least 15 natural trees over 100 years old. People live on pig breeding and rice tilling.

Ho Van Huyen, deputy chair of Tra Van commune, said Tra Van’s people are still poor, but they all have the awareness of protecting the forest.

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