In mid-August, when visiting Na Nieng village (Tri Le commune), it is easy to see people preparing sacks, wrapping leggings, and going into the forest early in the morning to pick mulberries.
Ms. Vi Thi Tinh - a local resident said: "The red-skinned mulberry, the Thai people here call it "mac phi", meaning fire fruit, because when ripe it is bright red. The tree often grows naturally under the forest canopy, sometimes growing alone, sometimes in clusters, in home gardens there are also some but rare".

According to Ms. Tinh, each trip into the forest to "hunt" for mulberries usually involves two people, crossing streams, ravines, and mountain slopes for hours to find a tree full of fruit.
“If you are lucky, you can pick 30 - 40 kg. The current selling price is 8,000 - 10,000 VND/kg, so you can earn 200,000 - 300,000 VND per day, contributing to your family's living expenses,” she said.

According to some people in Tri Le commune, the red mulberry tree is a large, tall tree with fruits growing in clusters from the base to the top. Picking the fruit is therefore not simple, requiring experience in climbing the forest, understanding the terrain and skills to ensure safety.

The red mulberry season in Western Nghe An usually starts from May to August, coinciding with the time when people go into the forest to pick bamboo shoots. On the roads leading to Tri Le commune these days, red mulberries are sold everywhere, from small stalls on the roadside to the commune center - where traders gather to buy, and trucks are pouring in.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan - a trader in Quy Chau commune said: "Every week I go to Tri Le and Thong Thu communes to collect mulberry. Each trip I get 3-4 quintals, consumed in the province or shipped to Hanoi , Hai Phong... This year the fruit is even and beautiful, so it sells very well."


Not only a rustic gift, red mulberry also plays an important role in the livelihood of many households. Mr. Lo Minh Diep - Chairman of Tri Le Commune People's Committee said: "In the natural forests of the commune, there are still many red mulberry trees scattered. In season, people in Na Nieng, Kem Don, Lien Hop villages... all go to the forest to pick fruit. Some families earn 5 - 7 million VND each season from this fruit, making their lives more stable."

Although not yet a major crop, red mulberry is gradually asserting its value. Tri Le commune is currently considering a plan to protect forests with naturally distributed red mulberry trees, while at the same time, developing eco -tourism - experiencing the fruit picking season with the locals.
If properly invested in, this tree, once considered a "gift of the forest", could become a sustainable livelihood for local people in the near future.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/mua-thu-hai-dau-da-do-dac-san-mien-tay-nghe-an-10304545.html
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