Green Treasure Amidst the Mist-Shrouded Mountains

The newly paved road to Ta Thang Commune leads to the "sleeping place of ancient tea trees." The thick fog and golden beams of headlights create a magical atmosphere in the vast mountains. Ta Thang, a highland commune by the Chay River, is home to the Hmong people. Despite harsh weather and freezing winters, the land nurtures a vast area of ancient tea trees, its "green treasure." In Ta Thang and Su Di Phin villages, Shan Tuyet tea trees stand tall, their mossy trunks witnessing centuries of winters. These ancient trees existed before the Hmong people arrived. 84-year-old Mrs. Giang Sinh welcomed me into her simple hut with warmth. Her husband, Mr. Thao Dinh, 87, poured a steaming bowl of Shan Tuyet green tea, its slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste embodying the flavors of the mountains and the hospitality of the people. The tea trees, once just for home consumption, are now a source of livelihood, providing an income of 20-30 million VND annually for families like Mr. Dinh's. Picking tea from the towering trees is now a task for the younger generation. The cool air under the vast canopy of ancient tea trees offers a sense of peace, where time seems to slow down. Each tea bud tells a story of nature's resilience, human perseverance, and the harmony between them. In Ta Thang Village, Mr. Sung Pao, the Party Cell Secretary, explained that the ancient tea trees require no care, growing naturally for generations. The main harvests are in April and July, with fresh tea buds priced at 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg, a significant drop from the 85,000 VND/kg paid by Chinese traders before the pandemic. The local Tien Thien Tea Company processes high-grade tea but operates only briefly each season. Tea remains the main crop, but unstable output contributes to the village's poverty. Local authorities are promoting tea cultivation and livestock farming to improve livelihoods. The commune has 16.5 hectares of ancient tea trees being exploited and over 72 hectares of younger trees. Expanding tea areas, linking with companies, and creating higher-value products are strategies for poverty alleviation.