A portion of the tea-growing area in Song Cau town
Elderly residents in Song Cau Town (Dong Hy) still maintain ancient tea tree roots aged between 40 to 50 years old. These ancient tea tree roots represent a glorious period in history. From the 1960s, Song Cau Town was a renowned tea farming area both nationally and internationally. Workers at the tea plantation overcame difficulties, challenges, producing, supporting and fighting simultaneously. In 1972, when the Central Party and Government called upon the citizens and soldiers nationwide to “Every citizen is a determined soldier to fight the U.S. for national salvation. Every enterprise, workplace, plantation, cooperative, institution, school and street must be a fortress ready to fight, smashing all adventurous military actions of the U.S. aggressors and their lackeys”, the plantation had to evacuate its tea processing plant, which processed 3 tons of dried tea leaves per day, to caves and shifted to manual processing. This was just one of the many legendary historical tales showcasing a tea region full of life even amid adversity and war.
The production of fresh tea buds reaches over 4,000 tons per year
Despite numerous glorious historical records, there were also periods when traditional mindsets, production methods, and businesses were no longer suitable for the market economy. The plantation transitioned into the Song Cau Tea Company with hopes of bringing about change and reviving the golden era of tea cultivation. However, difficulties continued to stack up. Skilled workers found themselves returning to small-scale businesses. Once vast tea fields were converted into short-term crop cultivation, while some areas were left abandoned. As neighboring tea regions flourished with innovative mindsets and practices, the name of Song Cau tea gradually faded. Mr. Tran Manh Hung, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Song Cau Town, nostalgically recalled: “During the prosperous times, just reaching the town’s entrance, one could smell the aroma of dried tea, tea gardens bustling with people picking leaves. Long lines of large trucks awaited tea purchases, leading to a relatively prosperous life for the locals”.
Once a worker at Song Cau Tea Company, Mr. Hoang Xuan Thuy, residing in Residential Area No. 9, Song Cau Town, remains deeply concerned about revitalizing the vitality of a tea region that was once a “legend”. Unlike many others who immediately switched professions after leaving the factory, Mr. Thuy steadfastly adhered to tea cultivation, diligently and earnestly learning new techniques and processing methods. Pointing towards the distant rows of tea gardens, Mr. Thuy shared, ‘We take pride in our homeland, where tea plants once spread far and wide. Despite the ups and downs, everyone believes that the development of tea cultivation is gradually heading in the right direction. Tea plants will not only help alleviate poverty but also enrich the local residents”.
Residents of Song Cau Town are caring for and harvesting on the tea plantation area
With the high determination of the local government and the united efforts of the people, numerous models promoting safe tea production, increasing value chains, and fostering sustainable development have been widely implemented in Song Cau Town. Moving away from traditional production mindsets, locals have embraced methods of producing clean and safe tea. To enhance the value of tea plants, the locality has collaborated with specialized agencies and residents to establish 3 cooperatives for tea production, processing and trading. The current tea plantation area in Song Cau Town is 338 hectares, with 50 hectares cultivated following VietGAP and organic standards. The yield of fresh tea buds reaches 4,200 tons per year, and the town aims to achieve 100% of tea cultivation and production meeting VietGAP and organic standards by 2030. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Song Cau Town, mentioned, ‘We encourage and work alongside the locals to create unique products specific to Song Cau Town. Currently, a cooperative in the town has revived and produced black tea, which used to be the main product of the tea plantation in the past. This product has received very positive feedback when promoted in foreign markets. Additionally, we are implementing plans for women’s unions and farmers’ associations to grow flowers around the tea fields, with a future strategy to promote rural tourism and offer tea experiences to both local and distant tourists.
Song Cau Town is blessed with a mild climate and gentle hilly terrain that creates picturesque tea plantations. We believe that in the not-too-distant future, besides the beauty emanating from the diligent agricultural labor of the farmers, on these tea plantations, there will also be the footsteps of tourists who come to visit, admire, and become “ambassadors of tourism” for a legendary tea region awakening strongly.
Phuong Thao
thainguyen.gov.vn
