The journey of the tea plants in Ven village.

The tea plants of Bản Ven village, with a history spanning over 300 years, have weathered countless historical ups and downs to become a source of pride and a symbol for the Cao Lan people of this region.

From lush green tea plantations to the "Ven Village Green Tea" brand, which has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, the people of Ven village, Yen The district, Bac Giang province have been able to stabilize their lives and preserve and spread their cultural identity.

Ven Village is like a "hidden gem" in the lush green mountains of Yen The district. This ancient Cao Lan village, dating back over three centuries, nestles at the foot of fertile hills. Located about 40 km from Bac Giang city center, Ven Village stands out with its forest, mountain, and waterfall landscapes, as well as the rich cultural values ​​of the Cao Lan people. From the early days of the village's establishment, tea has been a close companion of the people of Ven Village. Tea is grown on the gently sloping hillsides, taking advantage of the fertile land and cool climate, providing the main source of income for families.

The Cao Lan people, with their diligent and skillful nature, have cared for their tea plants with all their heart. Therefore, tea is not only an economic crop but also a bond connecting the community, preserving the soul of Cao Lan culture. The tea plants of Bản Ven have witnessed the changes of time. From the days of manual production, where people hand-picked tea leaves and roasted them in cast-iron pans, to today, tea plants are cared for according to modern standards such as VietGAP and organic farming. Even so, the secret of "absorbing the aroma" – letting the tea cool on clean ground before packaging – is still preserved by the Cao Lan people as a heritage. It is this combination of tradition and modernity that creates the unique characteristics of Bản Ven green tea: a light green color, a rich flavor, and a strong aroma.

In daily life, tea is present at festivals, weddings, or simply during conversations on the veranda of a stilt house. Through the melodies of Sinh folk songs sung in the tea plantations, the Cao Lan people express their love for their homeland, their gratitude to nature, and their pride in the tea plant. And then, the tea plant itself has become a bridge, bringing the Cao Lan ethnic identity closer to domestic and foreign tourists as the village of Ven has become an attractive tourist destination.

Than Truong Cooperative is a pioneering unit contributing to the expansion of Ven village tea. Currently, cooperatives have invested in modern machinery such as roasting and rolling machines, and applied automatic irrigation technologies, helping to increase productivity and ensure quality. The tea processing secrets of the Cao Lan people, such as harvesting according to the standard of "one bud and two young leaves" or letting the tea "absorb its aroma" on clean soil, have been standardized by the cooperative while still preserving traditional characteristics. Ven village tea was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product in 2022.

Support from local authorities also plays a crucial role. For example, the People's Committee of Yen The District has implemented a sustainable agricultural development project for the period 2021-2025, which supports people in planting new tea varieties such as LDP1 and LDP2, applying modern farming techniques, and building commercial tea production areas. Training courses, programs supporting machinery and irrigation systems have helped people reduce labor burdens and improve product quality. As a result, tea yields in Ven village reach 9-10 tons/ha/year, providing stable income for hundreds of households.

The endless green tea hills, resembling inverted bowls stretching across the slopes, have become a major attraction for tourists. Combined with the beautiful natural landscape and cultural landmarks such as the village communal house, the ceremonial flag, and the thousand-year-old ironwood tree, Ven village has now become an attractive community-based ecotourism destination. Over time, the Than Truong Cooperative has developed tourism experiences such as tea picking, tea processing, and enjoying local specialties associated with Cao Lan culture.

Visitors to Ven village can admire the natural scenery, immerse themselves in festivals, listen to Sinh folk songs, and relax in traditional stilt houses. Ven village, an eco-tourism and cultural destination, was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product in 2022 and has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors annually, providing a new source of income for the local people.

The development of tourism also contributes to preserving and spreading the cultural identity of the Cao Lan people. Through training courses on community tourism, along with investment in infrastructure such as stilt houses, guesthouses, and stalls selling OCOP products, Ven village has become a more professional destination. Products such as green tea, forest honey, free-range chicken, and five-colored sticky rice serve as both souvenirs and ways for tourists to take home the cultural stories of Ven village.

The tea plants of Bản Ven village are also a symbol of the resilience, hard work, and creativity of the Cao Lan people. From simple tea plantations, the people of Bản Ven have built a renowned brand, contributing to poverty reduction and improved living standards. The more than 300-year journey of the tea plant is a story of the close connection between people and nature, and of how a small community has preserved its cultural identity amidst the flow of modernity.

DANG GIANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hanh-trinh-cay-che-ban-ven-post886749.html