Mangrove firewood making helps local farmers in Ca Mau province have higher income. (Photo: VOV)

Bordered by the sea on three sides, Ca Mau province boasts vast swamp forests, especially mangrove forests. The mangrove trunk is used for making firewood because it generates a lot of heat.

Nobody knows when the mangrove firewood making craft in Ngọc Hien district came into being.

After years of ups and downs, local farmers have been gathered in cooperatives of mangrove firewood making which are operating more effectively and professionally than before.

Dong Tam Cooperative in Tan An Tay commune is one of the cooperatives to attract local households doing the job.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, a farmer with 40-years experience, said, “The technique to make mangrove firewood is the same everywhere. But I believe the quality of Ca Mau mangrove firewood is the best.”

Thirty members of Dong Tam Cooperative said they have been engaged in the wearisome craft not only for their livelihood, but also for preserving and promoting the traditional trade.

Many people in Ca Mau have taken full advantage of mangrove trees to make fine arts items as tourist souvenirs. (Photo: VOV)

In recent years, the value of mangrove firewood has been increasing with stable prices, thus the craft has helped local households escape poverty.

On top of the income from the one-hectare shrimp pond, mangrove lumber has helped Lam Van Sang’s family afford to send their children to university, and still make major savings.

“The more we can produce, the more we earn. Each month, we earn 300 to 350 USD, which is enough for family expenses. There are three types of firewood with prices ranging from 26 to 35 cents a kilo,” Sang said.

The mangrove handicraft products made by the locals are becoming popular gifts for tourists to Ca Mau.

In Vien An Dong commune, Ngoc Hien district, two generations of Huynh Truong Giang’s family have made mangrove chopsticks. In the past, it was mainly to serve the local needs.

Mangro trees contribute to the development of local tourism. (Photo: VOV)

However, over the past few years, due to the increasing number of tourists to Ca Mau, Giang’s family have invested in a specialized chopstick making machine. Each month, his family supplies the market about 15,000 pairs of chopsticks, earning 650 USD in net profit.

Giang said, “Tourists like our chopsticks which look more beautiful after being roughed and polished. Many have bought them for future use. Mangrove trees can be exploited after growing for 15 years, but making chopsticks requires trees of 20 to 30 years old. The white-barked trees turn out good chopsticks.”

Mangroves are an important plant species in rehabilitating coastal forests in Vietnam and developing tourism, making it the tree of poverty alleviation for people in Ca Mau province.