The "green gold" journey

Amidst the rolling mountains of Northwest Vietnam, where nature has bestowed upon the land abundance and endless greenery, Van Yen – a land located in the north of the province – has been writing a proud story of sustainable agricultural development from cinnamon trees – the "green gold" of the mountains and forests. Cinnamon is not merely an agricultural product, but also a symbol of the will, aspiration, and unwavering faith of thousands of households here.

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During his visit to Yen Bai in 1958, President Ho Chi Minh instructed the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups: "We must make the forests green again." Bearing in mind this sacred teaching, the Van Yen District Party Committee has concretized it in the Resolution of its 16th Congress, for the 2020-2025 term, identifying cinnamon as the key crop in the development of forestry economics and poverty reduction.

Following Uncle Ho's instructions and the Party's resolution, Van Yen's "green gold" journey began. It is the journey of countless honest, hardworking farmers, weathered by sun and rain but full of determination, who day after day cultivate green shoots amidst the earth and sky.

The family of Mr. Trieu Tien Bao, in Khe Lo village, Phong Du Thuong commune, is one of the households with a long-standing connection to cinnamon cultivation. From his ancestors' generation to the present day, Mr. Bao and his wife and children have persistently planted 1-2 hectares of cinnamon trees each year, utilizing every available arable land.

He happily shared: "Every year my family plants more cinnamon trees, and now we have over 15 hectares, of which 10 hectares are currently being harvested, bringing in a steady income of over 300 million VND per year. Thanks to cinnamon, my family has a more comfortable life."

Not only in Phong Du Thuong, but also in Vien Son commune, there is a strong transformation thanks to cinnamon trees, with a total area of ​​over 2,700 hectares of cinnamon, and the commune plants 150-200 hectares of new cinnamon trees each year.

Comrade Ly Huu Quan - Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, said: "Cinnamon trees have become a stable source of income, helping more than 200 households in the commune earn over 100 million VND/year. This is truly a 'savings' for the future."

In Ngoi A commune, the 2024 Farmers' Support Fund provided additional impetus to 10 member households with a capital of 400 million VND. The young cinnamon seedlings are growing day by day, promising a bountiful harvest in the next few years.

Ms. Hoang Thi Vui, a member of the Farmers' Association of Ngoi A commune, happily shared: "With the capital support, we have even more confidence in cinnamon cultivation. Hopefully, in 5 years, these cinnamon trees will help us change our lives."

Phong Du Thuong, one of the eight key cinnamon-growing communes in the district, is writing a new chapter with its model of clean, organic cinnamon cultivation. Over 200 households have switched from traditional farming to organic production, ensuring quality and meeting export standards. These initial successes open up great opportunities for local people.

The Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Phong Du Thuong commune, Sieu Van Dong, happily shared: "The entire commune currently has more than 2,850 hectares of cinnamon, of which 300 hectares have met organic standards. People are not only less poor but are also gradually becoming wealthy. Some families earn billions of dong each year from cinnamon."

That story is no longer a dream but is becoming a reality throughout the villages and hamlets. Each cinnamon grove, each verdant hillside, is a symbol of revival and sustainable development. In almost all 25 communes and towns of Van Yen district, the green color of cinnamon trees has spread widely, with the total planted area in the district reaching approximately 60,000 hectares.

Every year, local people and farmer association members plant 2,000-3,000 hectares of cinnamon trees, not only greening barren hills but also providing a stable source of income for thousands of households. Key areas within the Van Yen cinnamon geographical indication zone have become the province's "cinnamon capital," such as Phong Du Ha (2,112 ha), Xuan Tam (3,371 ha), Chau Que Ha (4,789 ha), and Mo Vang (4,695 ha)...

Along with expanding the growing area, farmers in Van Yen have also actively contributed to brand building. In 2010, the geographical indication "Van Yen Cinnamon" was recognized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office; by 2020, this product was further recognized and certified by the Thai Intellectual Property Office as meeting European and American standards, with over 10,730 hectares of organic cinnamon.

Annual revenue from cinnamon cultivation has exceeded 1 trillion VND, bringing prosperity and stability to the people and providing employment for thousands of rural workers. Cinnamon is not just a crop; it has become a symbol of sustainable economic development, linked to environmental protection and the preservation of national cultural identity. The vast cinnamon plantations are like vibrant green streaks on the agricultural economic map of the district.

Van Yen, with its "green gold" covering the hills and mountains, is becoming increasingly radiant in the picture of "green - harmonious - distinctive - happy" development, exactly as the district Party Committee has set out. This journey is not only a journey of economic development but also a journey of preserving nature, conserving culture, and nurturing the dreams of tens of thousands of people in the mountains and forests of Yen Bai.

Tran Ngoc

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/349870/Hanh-trinh-vang-xanh.aspx