The land of Vinh Long sedge grass in the harvest season is green as velvet

During a recent trip to the West, photographer Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa (HCMC) stopped in Cang Long, Vinh Long. He was very impressed with the harvest atmosphere of the people as well as the scene of the vast green fields of sedges ready for harvest.

During a recent trip to the West, photographer Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa (HCMC) stopped in Cang Long commune, Vinh Long . He was very impressed with the harvest atmosphere of the people as well as the scene of the vast green fields of sedges ready for harvest.

Cang Long and Vung Liem are two lands of sedge grass, located along the Co Chien River. The sedge grass growing area here is up to thousands of hectares, seen from afar the green sedge grass fields swaying in the wind look like a giant carpet.

“Each season of flowering sedge is a season of hope. It is a season of muddy hands that still nurture many dreams. It is the beauty of the West not only from nature, but also from the people who live in harmony and simplicity here.” Mr. Vu Khoa shared his feelings after taking the photo series Through the season of sedge grass in Tra Vinh (Cang Long before the merger was a district of the old Tra Vinh province).

Sedges have been planted in Cang Long for more than 20 years now and have grown well thanks to the characteristics of salty, alum-rich soil, which is often flooded during the flood season and saline intrusion during the dry season. The characteristics of sedges in Cang Long are thick stems, up to 2m high, belonging to the sedge family, and can be harvested 3 times a year on average.

In the past, sedge was collected and dried to make rice bundles, to tie fish and meat when going to the market or to bundle vegetables... Nowadays, Cang Long people grow sedge to get raw materials to make handicraft products such as mats, walls, cushions, baskets... not only to sell domestically but also to find ways to export to foreign countries.

For the domestic market, Cang Long sedge provides raw materials for mat-making villages in the North such as Hanoi and Dinh Yen mat-making village in Dong Thap province.

For the domestic market, Cang Long sedge provides raw materials for the Northern mat-making villages and Dinh Yen mat-making village in Dong Thap province.

Particularly, My Duc and Cang Long are recognized as craft villages for weaving carpets and mats for export and have become members of the Vietnam Craft Village Association.

In Nhi Long commune, Vinh Long province, Duc My village (formerly Tra Vinh) is recognized as a craft village for weaving carpets and mats for export and has become a member of the Vietnam Craft Village Association.

Harvesting sedge requires strength and is usually done by men. After cutting, the sedge must be shaken clean and sorted by length. Sedge longer than 1.5m is called sedge (type 1), the rest shorter than 1.5m is type 2 sedge, mainly used to make braiding rope.

The drying process is also very important. In strong sunlight, it takes about a day, in weak sunlight or light rain, it takes two days. The dried sedge tips are then bundled into small bundles and spread out like a fan.

From above, the scene of Cang Long sedge field in harvest season is like a vivid picture that changes every hour.

Farmers take a break for lunch and eat a simple meal in the middle of a field of half-harvested sedge.

Not only bringing high economic value, the green reed fields are gradually becoming an attractive countryside image for artists and tourists from all over to visit and take photos.

“Amidst the lush reed fields stretching out like green silk strips, Cang Long farmers are still diligently working. The scene of diligent work, simple and heartbreakingly beautiful,” Mr. Vu Khoa shared.