Farmers in Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district harvest tea on ancient Shan tuyet tea trees.

Currently, Pa Co commune in Mai Chau has over 80 hectares of tea under annual harvest. According to Vang A Cha, Vice Chairman of the Pa Co People's Committee, there are still some issues regarding the development of tea crops in the area, including the unauthorised sale of saplings taken from ancient tea trees to tourists, and improper pesticide use, which has led to the death of some ancient trees. Recently, the commune has increased efforts to educate local farmers and advised them not to sell any of the ancient tea trees to preserve the genetic resources and area. The commune also hopes that enterprises and experts will provide guidance on farming techniques and standards, ensuring the quality of tea throughout the production process and creating greater value upon harvest. Additionally, Pa Co hopes for further attention and direction from local authorities to gradually expand the tea-growing area and establish a brand for its tea.

Hoa Binh province currently has over 870 hectares of tea cultivation, with six districts hosting concentrated tea-growing areas thanks to advantages in soil, climate, historical heritage, and original tea varieties. These districts are Yen Thuy, Lac Thuy, Da Bac, Mai Chau, Tan Lac, and Luong Son. In early November, the agriculture sector began implementing the provincial People's Committee's plan to develop sustainable, multi-value tea cultivation in Hoa Binh from 2024 to 2030. The goal is to stabilise the total tea area at around 1,200 hectares by 2030, achieving a production volume of 13,800 tonnes, with 80% of the tea output meeting requirements regarding traceability, food safety, GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), and IPHM (Integrated Pest and Herbicide Management).

The processed tea products are expected to make up 20% of the total tea output, with 100% of the tea-growing areas being managed, assigned regional codes, and meeting import markets' requirements. The plan also targets five processed products, three intangible products, and a standard set for several Hoa Binh tea products.

The province also has plans for the scale of tea-growing areas and product diversification. For Shan tuyet tea, Mai Chau district is expected to have 200-250 hectares, while Da Bac will have around 100 hectares, and Tan Lac will cultivate 50 hectares. For green tea, the areas in Yen Thuy and Lac Thuy districts are expected to be between 400 and 500 hectares, while the urban area of Hoa Binh and Luong Son district will cultivate 250-300 hectares. In terms of processing and product diversification, localities will focus on setting up appropriate tea processing facilities for each raw material area, upgrading processing lines and technology, while preserving traditional hand-crafted tea workshops linked to local culture and specialties.

To this end, the local agriculture sector has outlined seven tasks and solutions, focusing on enhancing public awareness, changing agricultural production mindsets towards agribusiness, improving the organisation of production by businesses and cooperatives, and applying advanced technology to improve the quality and value of tea products. The plan also emphasises the restoration of indigenous tea varieties and the application of post-harvest, processing, and preservation technologies, with an emphasis on refining and deep-processing products. Furthermore, efforts will be made to promote trade, develop markets, build tea brands, and utilise e-commerce platforms. Investments will be made to enhance the capacity of businesses, cooperatives, and farmers, with stronger government management during plan implementation.

Bui Duy Linh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained that developing concentrated tea-growing areas will improve the effectiveness of production, processing, and product sales through a value chain. The application of integrated scientific technology across all stages, from cultivation to processing, will enhance quality and diversify products, ensuring food safety and adhering to good agricultural practices. The plan will also focus on branding, product labelling, and increasing the competitive value of the tea products for sustainable development, said Linh.

Related Topics

Public investment fuels infrastructure breakthroughs in Hoa Binh's transformation journey

Public investment paves way for breakthrough development in Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh tourism is estimated to welcome over 3 million visitors

Total policy credit outstanding balance reaches over 5,670 billion VND

---

Six-month industrial production index estimated to rise 20%

According to data from the Hoa Binh Provincial Party Committee, the industrial production index for the first six months of 2025 is estimated to have increased by 20% compared to the same period last year. This marks the highest year-on-year growth rate for this period since 2020.

Exports exceeded 1.1 billion USD in 6 months

In the first six months of 2025, Hoa Binh province’s export turnover was estimated at 1.145 billion USD, marking an 18.11% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Import turnover was estimated at $ 804 million, a 17.15% increase, which helped the province maintain a positive trade balance.

The effectiveness of professional models of association and group in Tan Lac district

The lives of the ethnic minority farmers in Tan Lac district have gradually improved thanks to the new directions in agricultural production. This is a testament to the collective strength fostered through the professional associations and groups implemented by various levels of the district’s Farmers’ Union.

Building the brand of Muong village clean food

With the motto the "product quality comes first,” after nearly one year of establishment and operation, Muong village’s Clean Food Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative, located in Cau Hamlet, Hung Son Commune (Kim Boi district), has launched reputable, high-quality agricultural products to the market that are well-received by consumers. The products such as Muong village’s pork sausage, salt-cured chicken, and salt-cured pork hocks have gradually carved out a place in the market and they are on the path to obtaining the OCOP certification.

Hoa Binh ethnic farmers join forces through collective economic models

In the past, the phrase "bumper harvest, rock-bottom prices" was a familiar refrain for Vietnamese farmers engaged in fragmented, small-scale agriculture. But today, a new spirit is emerging across rural areas of Hoa Binh province - one of collaboration, organisation, and collective economic models that provide a stable foundation for production.

Maintaining farming area codes: Key to bringing Hoa Binh farm produce to global market

Maintaining growing area codes and packing facility codes in accordance with regulations is a mandatory requirement for agricultural products to be eligible for export. Recently, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hoa Binh province has intensified technical supervision of designated farming areas and packing facilities to safeguard the "green passport" that enables its products to access international markets.