Brilliant seasons of flowers

The chrysanthemum fields in Phong Quang commune are ablaze with vibrant yellow.

Workers participate in picking chrysanthemums in their free time to supplement their income.

Our first impression as we walked along the paths that crossed the fields was the vibrant yellow of the chrysanthemums. Against this golden backdrop, the atmosphere of the harvest was full of life: the sound of people laughing and talking, hands nimbly picking each flower, and tourists lingering before the simple yet captivating beauty of the blooming flowers.

According to the people of Phong Quang, although the chrysanthemum harvest has just begun, the atmosphere in the fields is already bustling. Approximately 50 laborers participate in picking the flowers each day, their hands nimbly gathering the blossoms. On average, each person harvests about 20kg of flowers per day, providing a stable income for many families.

Despite living nearly 3km away from the fields, Ms. Lam Thi Mai regularly goes to pick flowers and earns about 200,000 VND per day. She shared that this work is easy, suitable for her health, and helps her utilize her free time to improve her family's income. The chrysanthemum fields here were formed from a production linkage model facilitated by the Duong Quang Cooperative (Phong Quang commune), creating a concentrated and efficient growing area.

This year, the model involves nearly 20 households growing two types of chrysanthemums, *Chrysanthemum indicum* and *Chrysanthemum indicum*, on the Na Oi field, covering a total area of over 2 hectares. Thanks to the close cooperation between the producing households and the cooperative, the chrysanthemum beds are uniformly cared for, creating a large, vibrant, and promising flower field for the new harvest season.

To cultivate vibrant chrysanthemum fields, the locals meticulously prepare the soil, sow seeds, water, fertilize, and control pests and diseases. The chrysanthemums are planted in straight rows, ensuring sufficient air circulation for uniform plant growth.

Thanks to the cool, year-round climate of the high mountains, stable humidity, and nutrient-rich soil, chrysanthemum plants thrive, producing uniform blooms of bright yellow color and a distinctive fragrance. The combination of traditional cultivation techniques and natural advantages has resulted in the exceptional quality of chrysanthemums from the Phong Quang mountain region.

The chrysanthemum fields in Phong Quang commune are ablaze with vibrant yellow.

After harvesting, chrysanthemums are transported to a facility for drying or sold fresh to processing units according to orders. Since 2023, Duong Quang Cooperative has invested in a modern drying system to proactively process chrysanthemum tea, enhancing product value and expanding the market. As a result, chrysanthemums are no longer just sold fresh seasonally but are also processed further, extending their shelf life, contributing to increased income for growers and creating a sustainable development direction for the Na Oi flower growing area.

Sharing his development direction, Mr. Nong Thanh Nha, Director of Duong Quang Cooperative, said: "We have identified chrysanthemum cultivation and processing as one of the cooperative's main production directions. Investing in drying machines and diversifying products such as chrysanthemum tea and dried flowers helps increase the value of agricultural products while creating a stable market for farmers. The cooperative will continue to promote products through trade fairs, online channels, and expand links with businesses to bring Phong Quang chrysanthemum products to more markets."

In order to gradually affirm quality and build brand recognition, by 2025, Duong Quang Cooperative has completed the registration dossiers for two products, chrysanthemum tea and ancient chrysanthemum tea, to participate in the OCOP program. This is considered an important step to enhance the value of local agricultural products and create a solid foothold for them in the market.

Standardizing production processes, packaging, designs, and traceability not only enhances the cooperative's reputation but also opens up opportunities for expanding sales channels, enabling Phong Quang's chrysanthemum products to reach a wider market in the future.

Check-in amidst a "sea of gold"

Growing chrysanthemums not only provides jobs and stable income for local people, but the vibrant beauty of the flowerbeds also attracts tourists. The flower fields are open to the public free of charge, allowing visitors to freely admire, photograph, and check in amidst the dazzling sea of yellow chrysanthemums. On weekends, the number of visitors can reach around 100, contributing to the promotion of rural tourism and spreading the image of the vibrant Phong Quang countryside.

Visitors to Phong Quang during the chrysanthemum season not only get to admire the vibrant golden fields but also get to immerse themselves in the local life. Here, visitors can pick the freshest chrysanthemums themselves, feeling the delicate fragrance lingering on their fingertips.

Visitors can also learn how flower growers care for each flower bed, and the process of drying the flowers to make tea, a step that requires skill and meticulousness. Furthermore, you'll have the opportunity to visit a chrysanthemum product factory, where chrysanthemums are processed into tea, essential oils, and other characteristic products.

A product made from chrysanthemums.

At the tourist area, visitors can enjoy fragrant cups of chrysanthemum tea, brewed from chrysanthemums freshly picked from the garden. The gentle aroma of the tea blends with many nourishing ingredients such as honey, red dates, and goji berries, creating a warm and relaxing experience amidst the vast expanse of flowers and foliage. Each flavor has its own unique character: the sweet taste of honey, the soft texture of red dates, all seem to caress the taste buds and soothe the soul, allowing visitors to feel the purity that nature bestows upon this place.

At the end of the trip, tourists can buy local specialties to take home as gifts for loved ones. All these experiences bring a sense of peace, closeness to nature and local culture, making the trip complete and memorable.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/dat-va-nguoi-thai-nguyen/202512/ruc-ro-nhung-mua-hoa-63b3414/