The flying season usually only occurs about once every 4-5 years, lasting from late June to early August. For nearly a month now, the protective forest in Kon Plong commune (Quang Ngai province) has been brilliant with fresh fruit, signaling that a forest reed harvest season has arrived.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, a resident of Son Tay commune, shared: "The airport only flies once every 4-5 years. In 2021, they were sold for only about 200,000 VND/kg, but now they have increased to 500,000 VND. As much as there is, traders will collect as much as there is. On average, I buy about a ton of freshwater every day from the people. This fruit is very valuable - both as a medicine and a refresher, so it is popular".
Not only picking up fallen fruit under the forest canopy, many people also use ropes and rope ladders to climb to high canopy, then use sticks to hit the fruit and let it fall - a hard job but everyone is excited because of good income.
Fresh plants - also known as lemon, freshwater or flying oil - are rare plants. According to Chinese medicine, fresh fruit has a sweet, cool taste, helps to clear heat, detoxify, and relieve constipation. People often use it to treat coughing, sore throat, vomiting, bleeding orange, urinary tract infection, pain in red eyes... and also use it to mix soft drinks in hot summer.
However, to protect forests and natural freshwater resources, the local forest rangers have tightened management and strictly banned acts of cutting down and cutting branches.
Mr. Phan Quoc Vu - Director of the Thach Nham Protective Forest Management Board - said: "Every year when freshwater flies, we increase patrols, especially in areas with many freshwater trees. Before this season, the unit held a meeting with people in Kon Plong commune, promoting and requiring people to commit not to cut down trees during the harvest. The freshwater plants are grown everywhere, so it is difficult to count accurately, but it is estimated to be a few hundred hectares".
