Sa De Phin in Sin Ho District, northern Lai Chau province, is famous for hundred-year old tea trees, which are considered valuable local specialties.
The ancient tea area, which lies 1,700m above sea level, is cloudy and foggy all year round.
The area provides a stable source of high income for the locals, and is also a special tourist destination.
The area covers around 10ha in the four hamlets of Sa De phin, Can Ho, Hat Ho and Chang.
Businesses buy and process tea buds and leaves before exporting tea products to European markets.
Picking tea buds is a job of the Mong ethnic minority women.
Local people use ladders to pick tea leaves.
Vu Thi Va, 82, in Chang Hamlet says the tea area was formed before she was born.
Sung A Do, Secretary of Sa De Phin Village People’s Committee, said the tea area is listed in the local tourism development plan.
Lai Chau Province has developed policies to support tea farmers and preserve the ancient tea area. |