(VOVworld) – In the early 1970s, a cinnamon-growing model was launched in Van Yen district, Yen Bai province. Since then the tree has become a primary local product and improved local lives, especially among ethnic Dao households.  

Cinnamon-based products on display at the 2016 Van Yen cinnamon festival. (Photo: Tuan Xuan/VOV)

Trieu Tien Bao’s family in Khe Lo hamlet, Vien Son village, had 20 hectares of land for growing cinnamon. When his children got married, in accordance with Dao customs, Bảo gave each of them several hectares of land as a dowery. Now he and his wife only have 5 hectares left. In addition to growing cinnamon, Bao’s family acts as a cinnamon agent for other villagers.

He says that thanks to a stable price and consumer market, recently he has earned about 9,000 USD, adding: “Thanks to its high profitability, almost all local households have gotten involved in growing cinnamon. Cinnamon trees are giving us a more prosperous life. We will never give it up.”

Dang Kim Thanh of hamlet 1 in Dai Son village, Van Yen district, said: “In the past when we only grew rice, we found it hard to make ends meet. We shifted to growing cinnamon on 6 hectares, and after about 6 years we had our first harvest and our economic circumstances quickly improved. Cinnamon growing has earned us enough money to update our home and pay for our children’s education.”

Van Yen district now considers cinnamon one of its primary products. To support the farmers, district authorities have provided advice on selecting cinnamon varieties, and tending, harvesting, and processing cinnamon.  

Hoang Van Minh, Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dai Son village, Van Yen district, said: “Local leaders have called on villagers to plant cinnamon trees. More than 70% of Dai Son’s residents are ethnic Dao. In the past, more than half of Dao households were poor. Now the poverty rate among the Dao has greatly decreased thanks to cinnamon farming. Now every household in Dai Son is involved in growing cinnamon.”

With more than 40,000 hectares of cinnamon, producing 70% of the province’s total output, Van Yen district is considered the Kingdom of Cinnamon. The tree earns local farmers 18 million USD a year.

Cinnamon harvest. (Photo: tienphong.vn)

In 2011 Van Yen cinnamon was granted geographical indication protection by the National Office of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Vu Quang Hai, Chairman of the Van Yen People’s Committee, said cinnamon will continue to be the district’s main crop.

“Cinnamon returns high profits. We are continuing to expand cultivation to support a trademark for Van Yen cinnamon and preserve its geographical indication. We’ll focus on producing high-quality cinnamon bark, essential oil while cinnamon tree trunks are used to make planks for exports,” said Hai.

Cinnamon cultivation in Van Yen has helped local people reduce poverty, make their fortune, afforest bare hills, and protect the environment. Since 2015 Van Yen cinnamon festival has held, considering it a tourist product to promote the land and people of Van Yen.