Gathering the first fruits of the forest in the season.

Mr. Hoang Vu (Phong Quang commune) introduces and promotes bamboo shoots on digital platforms.

Following Ms. Ta Thi Duyen, a resident of Na Vang village, Phong Quang commune, we traversed winding, steep hills, weaving through vast, verdant bamboo forests. Here, Ms. Duyen enthusiastically guided us on how to find early-season bamboo shoots. Experienced harvesters know how to choose areas with abundant shoots to dig. Upon spotting a shoot, the harvester uses a shovel they bring along, which serves both as a walking stick when climbing hills and as a tool for digging.

At Khau Mo hill, the highest hill in Cam Giang commune, I followed the locals, shovels in hand and baskets slung over their shoulders, climbing the winding and slippery slopes. Upon reaching the lush green bamboo forests, each person dispersed in a different direction to search for bamboo shoots.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nguu, who owns farmland on the hilltop of Khau Mo, shared: "These days I also take the opportunity to go look for early-season bamboo shoots to enjoy their flavor. Young bamboo shoots are both fresh and sweet, a gift from the forest that I always eagerly anticipate whenever the bamboo shoot season comes."

Bamboo shoots are quite expensive at the beginning of the season, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 VND per kilogram, but they are still popular with many customers thanks to their fresh taste and characteristic crisp texture. Locals sell bamboo shoots in two forms: pre-boiled or raw.

At local markets, bamboo shoots are readily available, but most are either purchased from other vendors and resold, or sold directly by local people. Many households report that selling bamboo shoots at the beginning of the season allows them to earn millions of dong per day, making it a crucial source of income during the bamboo shoot season.

Each bamboo shoot harvested at the beginning of the season has a bright yellow color.

The bamboo shoots harvested early in the season have a golden yellow color.

During peak season, the price of bamboo shoots drops to around 15,000-20,000 VND/kg, but this is also the time when locals prepare another famous specialty dish: stuffed bamboo shoots. At this time, the bamboo shoots grow abundantly, protruding high above the ground, with thick flesh. People peel the outer layer, cut it into bite-sized pieces, wrap meat in them, and steam them, creating a delicious dish with a rich flavor of the highlands.

During peak season, locals gather bamboo shoots daily, harvesting about 1-2 bags to sell to traders. These traders then collect the shoots and transport them to the lowlands, giving many people from out of town and across the country the opportunity to enjoy this highland specialty. Leveraging the local strengths, many young people have utilized digital platforms to promote and introduce bamboo shoots.

Mr. Hoang Vu, from Phong Quang commune, who has been selling bamboo shoots on digital platforms for the past two years, said: "Thanks to promoting bamboo shoots online, our products have reached more customers, not only within the province but also in other regions. This is a way to both develop the economy and promote our hometown's specialty to everyone."

Leaders in several localities with large bamboo shoot growing areas said: People in mountainous areas harvest bamboo shoots but do not exploit them completely. They always leave a portion of the shoots to grow into bamboo plants, nurturing them for the next year's harvest. This practice not only ensures a sustainable source of income but also demonstrates an awareness of protecting forest resources, helping the forest to thrive and continue to provide valuable forest gifts.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202512/hai-loc-rung-dau-mua-4e828a8/