Red Dao people preserve ancient tea trees on the top of Phan Lien San

In the dense fog in the early morning, the silhouettes of the Red Dao people crossing the forest, climbing the slopes to reach the ancient tea trees scattered in the highest area of ​​the mountain range, then diligently standing halfway up the mountain, their hands deftly picking tea, appear as a symbol of perseverance and connection with the mountains and forests.

The lives of the Dao people in Mo Si San commune are closely linked to Shan Tuyet tea trees. ( Photo: VU LINH)

Mo Si San is a mountainous border commune with rugged terrain and harsh climate, but it is these characteristics that create a rare ecosystem - where ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees grow completely naturally.

With a cool climate all year round, high humidity, and dense fog in the early morning and late afternoon, the hundreds of years old tea trees accumulate the essence of the mountains and forests, producing tea buds imbued with the aroma of herbs and a pure, sweet aftertaste.

Shan Tuyet tea trees are the mainstay of economic development in Mo Si San. (Photo: VU LINH)

For the Red Dao people here, tea trees are not only a traditional crop but also a sacred part of their spiritual life. The Dao believe that each tea tree has a soul.

Caring for, harvesting and protecting tea trees is not simply a production labor but also a responsibility to preserve the heritage of our ancestors. Therefore, amidst the flow of modernity, Shan Tuyet tea trees in Mo Si San commune are still preserved as treasures of the mountains and forests.

Tea trees are the tree that helps eliminate hunger and reduce poverty for people in Mo Si San commune. (Photo: VU LINH)

Currently, Mo Si San is the locality with the largest area of ​​ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees compared to other communes in Phong Tho district. Many tea trees are hundreds of years old, with large trunks covered with green moss, stretching out among the layers of the primeval forest.

Thanks to the special soil conditions and manual harvesting process, using the "one bud, two leaves" method and only picked in the early morning when the dew is still on the leaves, Mo Si San Shan Tuyet tea retains its full natural flavor, not mixed with any other tea region.

Many large tea trees are covered with green moss. (Photo: VU LINH)

Taking advantage of the situation, Mo Si San commune authorities have coordinated with specialized units to support people in establishing tea processing cooperatives such as Shan Tuyet Mo Si San, Bien Cuong... gathering people with experience in processing traditional tea. Thanks to that, instead of being used only within the family, Shan Tuyet tea products have become branded goods, gradually entering a wider market.

Mo Si San Shan Tuyet tea is developed as a commodity. (Photo: VU LINH)

Some prominent tea lines include Shan Red Tea, Shan Green Tea, Shan Yellow Tea... all are semi-handcrafted, retaining the natural aroma and original tea flavor.

Chairman of Mo Si San Commune People's Committee Tan Chin Lung said: Implementing the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, Mo Si San Commune has identified Shan Tuyet tea as a key crop in economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction. Preserving tea trees is also preserving cultural values ​​and creating stable and sustainable livelihoods for local people.

Shan Tuyet tea tree is the main tree in economic development. (Photo: VU LINH)

In the context that many ancient tea growing areas are being replaced by short-term economic crops, in Mo Si San, each Shan Tuyet tea bud is still cherished by the Red Dao people like a treasure, each ancient tea tree is strictly preserved and conserved.

Shan Tuyet tea trees were numbered by Phong Tho District People's Committee for preservation. (Photo: VU LINH)

Shan Tuyet tea trees are also like a link between people and the mountains and forests. Not only stopping at agricultural products, Mo Si San Shan Tuyet tea is opening a new direction in developing eco-tourism associated with community culture.

The combination of tea and tourism not only enhances the value of the product but also creates conditions to promote the cultural identity of the Red Dao people. Folk knowledge, traditional festivals, costumes, farming practices, etc. are “retold” through real-life experiences, contributing to preserving a vibrant and authentic culture.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguoi-dao-do-gin-giu-cay-che-co-thu-noi-dinh-phan-lien-san-post878601.html