These days, Ms. Hoang Thi Hue and many people in Lang Chang village, Hoa Phu commune (Chiem Hoa) go deep into the old forest to pick dong leaves - a type of leaf that is always popular during Tet and is also a gift from the old forest.
Wild cassava usually grows under the canopy of primary forests in moist soil, along high hills, near valleys or streams, where there is enough moisture. In these areas, cassava grows strongly, with large, thick, green leaves.
Ms. Hue said that the older the forest, the thicker the canopy, the more dong leaves there are because this plant likes shade. Dong leaves can be harvested all year round, but the most valuable time is during Tet.
"Two months before Tet, villagers told each other to stop picking dong so that the plants could grow stronger and produce more leaves for Tet. Picking dong leaves is not too complicated, but the path is difficult, winding through the deep forest. However, everyone is happy because they have more income," Ms. Hue shared.
Harvesting dong leaves is a job that requires strength, endurance, and dexterity. Those who collect the leaves must choose leaves that have not been damaged by insects or rain, and must be sticky dong leaves, not hairy dong leaves. Use a sharp knife to cut from the base, avoiding tearing the leaves, then roll them up gently and tie them tightly.
With an average price of about 1,000 VND/beautiful leaf, people who collect dong leaves can earn an average of 300,000 VND/day. Those who are hard-working and have good health can earn higher income. That is why people in the highlands of Tuyen Quang still tell each other to protect the forest and live with the forest.
As Tet approaches, traders from many places flock to buy wild dong leaves. From here, dong leaves travel to markets and banh chung making villages throughout the North and even the Southern provinces.
Mr. Hoang Anh (Hanoi) has been collecting dong leaves for many years and said: "Wild dong is found in many mountainous provinces, of which dong leaves in Tuyen Quang are of good quality, large, even and beautiful in color, so they are popular. Each crop we collect from 5 to 7 tons of leaves."
In order to not depend on natural dong leaves and to protect forest resources, some places in Tuyen Quang province have brought wild dong to plant and breed.
Mr. Pham Van Van, Tan Tien commune (Yen Son) started growing wild arrowroot in his garden since 2006. After many years of accumulating experience and care, Mr. Van now has more than 5,000m2 of hill land growing arrowroot.
"Wild arrowroot is not difficult to grow, but to have large, even leaves, it requires technique. The key is to create a living environment for the tree that is almost like that of a forest. In the garden, there must always be large trees to create shade," Mr. Van shared.
Mr. Van's cassava garden produces year-round harvests to serve bakeries in and outside the province. Each year, it brings his family an income of more than 50 million VND, and is especially easy to sell.
