Nieng is a part of the nieng tree, a type of tree that grows and thrives well in low-lying areas, along ponds or muddy areas. This type of tubers has long been known as a specialty of the old Nam Dinh province (now the new Ninh Binh province). Nieng root is likened to ginseng soaked in water.
The end of autumn and early winter are also the time when people in Hong Quang ward, Ninh Binh province are busy entering the niang harvest season.
Quickly harvesting nearly 2 types of niang trees of her family, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung (residing in Hong Quang ward) said that niang trees are easy to grow, have low care costs but have a high income, so for many years her family has switched from growing rice to growing niang. Nieng trees have the advantage of low initial investment capital, few pests and diseases, not much care but bring 3-4 times higher economic efficiency than rice plants.
"At this time, my family has harvested nearly 2/3 of the area. After picking the vermicelli in the fields, I bring them home to prepare, classify them according to the size of the bulbs and then package them up to sell," Ms. Dung shared.
Nieng is planted from January, and the harvest begins around the beginning of the 9th lunar month. The harvest only lasts about a month, cutting the roots late will get old, become fibrous, and reduce the characteristic crunchy sweetness.
According to statistics, there are currently about 29 hectares of vermicelli in Hong Quang ward. Nieng grown in the ward has a very sweet taste, superior quality compared to nieng grown in many other localities.
The leader of Hong Quang Ward People's Committee informed that for many years, niang has become a product favored by consumers and created a competitive advantage for the growing area. In the coming time, the ward is oriented to continue expanding the area of the silkworm growing area, gradually building silkworm products that meet OCOP standards, contributing to promoting and affirming the value of local specialties.
Tourists coming to Ninh Binh in winter can look to buy nieng as gifts. The price of the first ripe regrowth of the season ranges from 30,000 - 40,000 VND/bunch of 10 roots, and at the end of the season, it decreases to about 15,000 - 25,000 VND/bunch.
