This whole village in Ha Tinh is cutting dong leaves from a lush plant, and every lunar year they sell them until their hands are tired.

Located in Quang Vinh commune, Duc Tho district, Vinh Phuc village has long been famous for growing dong leaves, becoming the "capital" of supplying the largest dong leaves in Ha Tinh province.

Over many generations, this profession has not only maintained its position but also grown with a cultivated area of ​​tens of hectares.

People take advantage of land near their houses, along streams or in wastelands to grow this plant, helping to increase income and contribute to poverty reduction in the locality.

Vinh Phuc village, Quang Vinh commune, Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh province) is bustling during Tet season with bundles of green dong leaves. Photo: PV

Dong leaves are easy to grow and do not require much care. After each harvest, just clean the roots, fertilize with phosphorus and nitrogen and the plant will continue to grow.

Although it can be harvested 2-3 times a year, many households choose to harvest only once at the end of the year to ensure the quality of the leaves meets standards: large, thick and green.

People in Vinh Phuc village, Quang Vinh commune, Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh) plant cassava under the canopy of large trees. Photo: PV

Mr. Hoang Van Tap, in Vinh Phuc village, Quang Vinh commune, Duc Tho district, said: "I don't remember exactly when our village started growing dong leaves, but since I was born, I have seen the elders growing them around the garden. My family has more than 300 square meters of dong leaves for sale, and these days many traders have come to ask to buy them.

This year, dong leaves are purchased by traders at 55,000-65,000 VND/bundle (each bundle has 100 leaves). It is estimated that this year my family will earn more than 8 million VND from growing dong leaves.

“In Vinh Phuc village, the alluvial soil is sandy and there are many large perennial trees, suitable for dong leaves to grow well. Dong leaves only need to be planted once and can be harvested for many years. After harvesting, people cut close to the base and fertilize the tree so that it can continue to grow.

Many people choose to sell all year round, but my family only sells at the end of the year to have more money to buy Tet goods," said Mr. Hoang Van Tap.

Mr. Hoang Van Tap harvests dong leaves. Photo: PV

People are excited when dong leaves are in season and sold at high prices. Photo: PV

The closer we get to Lunar New Year, the more bustling the atmosphere in Vinh Phuc village becomes. People are busy from early morning to late at night cutting, sorting and tying leaves in time to deliver them to customers.

During peak season, traders from all over come to buy and serve the needs of making banh chung of establishments and families.
Thanks to the dong leaf growing profession, local people not only preserve a beautiful cultural feature but also have a stable source of income, especially during Tet.

Ms. Le Thi Que, Vinh Phuc village, Quang Vinh commune, Duc Tho district, shared: “My family grows dong leaves on an area of ​​about 500 m², this year we estimate we have 30,000 leaves. Traders have come to buy my family’s whole dong leaf garden for 14 million VND. Around December 20, they will come to harvest it themselves. This is my family’s main source of income during the Lunar New Year.”

Dong leaves from Vinh Phuc village are young green, 45-50 cm long and 25-30 cm wide, helping the banh chung become square and beautiful. Photo: PV

Ms. Le Thi Que's family earned 14 million VND from selling dong leaves. Photo: PV

With perseverance and experience accumulated over many generations, Vinh Phuc village not only maintains the profession of growing dong leaves but also contributes to preserving the traditional flavor of banh chung, an indispensable dish during the traditional Tet holiday of Vietnamese people.

Dong leaves help people in Vinh Phuc village have a more fulfilling Tet. Photo: PV

Talking to PV Dan Viet, Mr. Nguyen Quang Viet - Chairman of Quang Vinh Commune People's Committee, said: "The profession of growing dong leaves here has been passed down from our ancestors for many generations.

This is also the main source of income for people during the Lunar New Year. This job is not too hard, does not take much time to take care of, people only take advantage of the off-season but have a good income, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the locality."

Source: https://danviet.vn/ca-lang-nay-o-ha-tinh-dang-cat-la-dong-tu-loai-cay-tot-um-tum-cu-cuoi-nam-am-lich-la-ban-moi-tay-20250105122734984.htm