Tea hills pave the way to wealth.

After more than six decades of cultivation, tea has become the main crop providing a stable source of income for the people of Toan Thang hamlet, Vo Tranh commune. Thanks to the promotion of scientific and technical applications and the gradual standardization of processing procedures, the Toan Thang tea brand is increasingly asserting its position in the market.

Farmers in Toan Thang hamlet are harvesting tea during the spring season.

Located along the Cau River, Toan Thang hamlet enjoys a cool climate and unique soil conditions that are very favorable for tea cultivation, creating a distinctive flavor for the local product. The tea has a clear green color, a natural aroma, a mild astringency, and a sweet aftertaste.

In recent years, local people have actively participated in training courses, accessed scientific and technological advancements, and invested in machinery for processing. As a result, the quality of tea products has improved significantly, meeting market demands.

Ms. Tran Thi Nga's family is one of the exemplary households in the hamlet. With nearly 7,000 square meters of land planted with TRI 777 tea variety, Ms. Nga's family has invested in a machinery system including 2 roasting machines and 4 rolling machines for processing. Each production cycle, the family's facility processes approximately 400 kg of dried tea; annual revenue reaches nearly 500 million VND, with a profit of about 400 million VND after deducting expenses. From this income, the family has built a sturdy house and invested in more equipment to support production.

Leading us on a tour of the tea garden, Ms. Tran Thi Nga said: "Spring tea usually yields the best quality of the year. This year, the weather warmed early, with light rains, so the tea plants sprouted quickly, with uniform and healthy green buds. Favorable weather conditions helped increase productivity and the quality of raw materials for processing."

The tea plants in Toan Thang hamlet are well-suited to the local climate and soil, yielding high productivity and good quality.

Tea production in Toan Thang has developed both at the household and group levels. Currently, the hamlet has formed 10 groups specializing in purchasing and processing fresh tea leaves. At Mr. Nguyen Van Vy's facility, a system of 3 roasting machines and 9 rolling machines operates continuously. On average, the facility produces more than 60kg of high-quality dried tea per day, contributing to a stable market for fresh tea leaves from local farmers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Vy, tea processing requires meticulousness and experience. Tea makers must adjust the temperature during each roasting process and calculate the appropriate rolling time to ensure the tea leaves retain their beautiful shape and minimize breakage. These factors determine the quality of the product when it reaches the market.

Toan Thang hamlet has nearly 54 hectares of tea plantations, with high-yield varieties such as LDP1, TRI 777, and Long Van… Besides expanding the area, the people are gradually shifting towards safe and organic production. To date, more than 4 hectares of tea have received VietGAP certification. Many other areas are cared for according to safe procedures, linked to traceability, and are gradually forming a value chain from production to consumption.

Mr. Doan Van Vien, Vice Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Vo Tranh commune, informed: The locality is implementing many solutions to support people in developing tea growing areas in a sustainable direction. The focus is on applying scientific and technical advancements, improving product quality, and expanding the consumer market.

The economic benefits of tea cultivation are increasingly evident in the figures. In 2009, when Toan Thang hamlet was recognized as a traditional tea-making village, the average income reached approximately 30 million VND per person per year. By 2025, income is projected to increase to nearly 70 million VND per person per year. By early 2026, the hamlet will have no poor or near-poor households.

Along the newly constructed 6-meter-wide concrete road, many sturdy houses have sprung up close together, creating a modern and attractive appearance for the rural area along the Cau River. Surrounding these houses are vast green tea hills. From a crop that has been associated with many generations, Toan Thang tea is opening up a sustainable economic development path for the local people.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202603/nhung-doi-che-mo-loi-lam-giau-5877cca/