Native tangerines (from the former Bac Kan province ) are a well-known product that has long been granted geographical indication status. No one knows exactly when this tangerine variety first appeared here, but it is known that it began to be cultivated as a monoculture in the 1980s.
Mandarin oranges are grown in many regions, but the most flavorful ones come from the villages and hamlets of what is now Bach Thong commune. The most distinctive feature of this local Bac Kan mandarin orange variety is its peel, which is rich in essential oils. When peeled, the oil releases a unique and unmistakable aroma. Locals jokingly say that this is a fruit you can't "steal" while eating. When newly ripened, the mandarin orange is sour, but as the Lunar New Year approaches, its taste gradually becomes sweeter with a slight sourness.
Early in the morning, Ms. Ban Thi Dung from Khuoi Co village securely tied two large baskets to the back of her motorbike, slung a bag over her shoulder, and set off to harvest tangerines from her orchard on the hillside. She explained that tangerine trees are often infested with aphids, so careful monitoring and timely treatment are necessary. The villagers use a mixture of alcohol and garlic as a spray to control the pests. On the hillside, hundreds of tangerine trees belonging to Ms. Dung's family are laden with fruit. The orchard yields an average of over 40 tons of fruit annually, bringing in tens of millions of dong for the family.
Walking briskly through the tangerine orchards, she carefully uses scissors to cut each bunch of fruit, gently arranging them into a carrying bag. “This variety of tangerine has a firm, sturdy stem, so after cutting, you have to carefully arrange them to prevent the stem from piercing another fruit, which can easily cause them to rot. Each fruit is then taken from the carrying bag on her back and placed into a basket, then transported to the collection point for traders,” Ms. Dung shared. These days, the weather is cold but sunny, making the tangerines sweeter and easier to harvest, so the concrete roads leading to the growing area are bustling with motorbikes belonging to the growers.
The entire hillside is bustling with the laughter and chatter of people harvesting tangerines. The work of picking the fruit isn't too strenuous, so it usually lasts from early morning until late afternoon. From the growing region, these specialty tangerines are transported by traders to Cao Bang, Lang Son, Hanoi , and several neighboring provinces and cities. Ms. Ha Thi Dang, from Khuoi Pieu village, said: “Legend has it that this tangerine variety first appeared in the Khuoi Pieu village area. Now, most people in the commune grow tangerines, and this is their main source of income. Besides growing tangerines, my family also collects and gathers them to resell to traders in the lowlands.”
According to the People's Committee of Bach Thong commune, the commune was formed by merging Duong Phong, Quang Thuan, and Dong Thang communes, all of which are key areas for growing this specialty tangerine variety. The entire commune has over 500 hectares of citrus trees (oranges and tangerines), of which about 400 hectares are currently producing fruit. The average annual yield is approximately 5,000 tons. More than 500 households in the commune participate in tangerine cultivation, with many earning between 100 and 300 million VND per harvest.
Mandarin oranges are widely grown in the villages of Khuoi Co, Ban Mun, Na Coong, Tong Ngay, Ban Pe, Hop Thang, Dai Thang, Toan Thang, etc. This is not only a crop that helps alleviate poverty but also enriches local farmers. This year, despite unfavorable weather conditions and frequent storms, mandarin orange yields in Bach Thong remain stable. At the beginning of the season, the selling price at the orchards ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 VND per kilogram.
It is noteworthy that after many years of cultivation, the people have boldly changed their mindset and methods to meet market demands. Most households are proficient in grafting and budding techniques; planting and caring for crops according to organic methods and VietGAP standards. Most households focus on weed control, avoiding chemicals and instead using organic products to protect the plants.
Of the more than 500 households participating in tangerine cultivation, over 300 currently have areas ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 hectares. According to Ma Thi Man, Secretary of the Party Committee of the commune, the area under tangerine cultivation is currently declining due to some orchards having aging trees that need replanting. The Resolution and Action Program implementing the Resolution of the Commune Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term identifies agriculture and forestry as the local strengths, including tangerines. The commune aims to renovate and replant aging trees, apply science and technology in care and preservation, expand the area of tangerines according to VietGAP standards, and move towards organic farming; and further process tangerines to create products with higher added value.
In the coming years, the commune will focus on consolidating and stabilizing the cultivated area of 500 hectares, maintaining a yield of 8-9 tons/hectare; implementing technical training, providing support with organic fertilizers and improved seeds, and organizing product consumption linkages for farmers. In the medium term, within the next 3-5 years, the commune will concentrate on intensive farming, improving the quality and appearance of products on the harvested area; encouraging cooperatives and businesses to participate in production, consumption, traceability, and bringing products to e-commerce platforms.
With its existing geographical indication and the unique characteristics of this tangerine variety, the commune is aiming to link it with community tourism development. This December, Bach Thong will organize the 2025 Orange and Tangerine Festival and Agricultural Products Market in Na Vai village. The festival will include activities such as: setting up stalls, livestreaming the sale of oranges and tangerines, and showcasing traditional ethnic costumes…
Notably, the Party Secretary and the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune will directly livestream the sale of oranges and tangerines alongside the local people. As the last rays of sunlight faded on the hillside, Ms. Ban Thi Dung and others began transporting the last baskets of tangerines harvested at the end of the day to the collection point. On National Highway 3C, trucks carrying tangerines also started rolling.
While a tangerine harvest brings in significant income for the people, to create a higher value chain and make tangerines a true source of wealth for farmers in this highland commune, the involvement of scientists and deep processing businesses is still needed.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/mua-quyt-chin-o-bach-thong-post929895.html
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