The quiet profession of tea picking

Tea picking is not just a simple job, but a calling – a profession passed down through generations of people in the highlands. Each tea bud is like a crystallization of heaven and earth, the fruit and pride of those who love to work here. Even in this era of mechanization and modern production methods, manual tea picking is still maintained. Although there are no specific statistics, it must be affirmed that the number of people working as hired tea pickers in the province is quite large. This symbolizes the vitality and connection between people and nature, the diligent labor, and the beauty of this land full of kindness.

We arrived in Doan Ket ward on a summer morning. In the light rain, we glimpsed the figure of a woman with nimble hands moving across the tea rows. Laughter and conversation mingled with the rustling wind and the sounds of transport vehicles, creating a rustic scene amidst the mountains and forests. The work of picking tea for hire lasts from early spring until the tenth lunar month each year. Although seasonal, it has become the main source of income for many, especially for those who are unemployed and lack land for cultivation.

For the past 20 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, residing in Group 6, has been working as a tea picker. Although sometimes arduous due to the hot weather, this job has provided her with a steady income, an independent source of funding not dependent on her children, and also brought her joy, relaxation, and the enjoyment of the fresh, cool air each morning. Ms. Hue confided: "This job sometimes causes back and shoulder pain, and my hands are stained with tea leaves, but it also brings simple joys, which is why I have persevered for so many years. I'm also happy to see that I'm still healthy and able to continue this work."

Picking tea leaves for hire - a way of life that has been intertwined with the lives of women in the highlands for generations.

Similarly, 65-year-old Tan Thi Lo from Lung Thang village shared the same sentiment, saying: "Every month, after harvesting my own tea, I go to pick tea for hire. On those days, I usually wake up early to cook lunch right on the tea plantation. This saves travel time and increases tea picking efficiency, helping tea growers harvest quickly and process the tea promptly, ensuring quality."

The job of picking tea leaves for hire is usually undertaken by women, often forming groups, chatting about family and children while working, sometimes even singing folk songs to relieve fatigue. The job of picking tea leaves for hire is not just a simple task; it also involves a sense of responsibility, ensuring the tea plants are not damaged, maintaining a stable yield, and saving the tea plantation owner the trouble of picking out old stems and stalks during processing. Because of this understanding, hand-picked tea always fetches twice the price of machine-cut tea.

The wind continues to blow, the tea plantations remain green, and amidst the vast mountains and forests, the hands of the hired tea pickers diligently contribute to carrying the fragrance of tea far across the valleys. They are like strong tea sprouts reaching up the hillside, regardless of sunny or rainy days.