These days, the chili pepper field of just over 3ha in Dong Trieu ward (Quang Ninh) is entering the harvest season. Red ripe chili peppers stand out in the green of trees and leaves, creating an eye-catching scene.
Not only bringing economic efficiency to production units, the chili ripening season also creates more jobs, helping many local people take advantage of their free time to earn extra income.
When the afternoon sun had not yet set, a large number of people, from members of the women's union, farmers' union to students... went to the field of more than 3ha to harvest chili peppers. This is a model of growing chili peppers just naturally using organic methods of Hoa Phong Cooperative (HTX).
While wiping away the drizzling sweat on her face, Ms. Tran Thi Huong (62 years old, Dong Trieu ward) boasted about the result after nearly an hour of work, which is a barrel containing about 5kg of chili peppers.
Attached to housework and farming all year round, when the chili fields are in harvest season, Ms. Huong takes advantage of working extra. After two days of participating in chili picking, on the most days she harvested 21kg and received more than 100,000 VND in wages.
At home, I only do housework, I have to pick chili peppers, so I take advantage of working part-time to earn extra income," Ms. Huong shared.
Not only older people, the chili pepper field also attracts many students to participate during the summer vacation. Nguyen Thi Thanh, a high school student in the area, said that whenever it is cool in the morning or less sunny in the afternoon, she goes to the field to pick chili peppers.
Today is my 3rd day picking chili peppers. The job is not too hard, I also earn nearly 100,000 VND per day. I intend to use this money to buy ice cream for my family," Thanh happily said.
According to many local workers, wages are calculated according to output at 5,000 VND/kg of harvested chili peppers and are paid immediately after weighing. People can earn from a few tens to more than 200,000 VND per day, people who are familiar with it can earn higher income, depending on the harvested output.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Head of the Women's Union branch of Quarter 2, Dong Trieu ward, also takes advantage of going to the fields to pick chili peppers after working hours. According to Ms. Ha, Hoa Phong Cooperative's model of growing chili peppers in the sky not only brings economic efficiency but also creates more jobs for members of the women's union and farmers' union.
“We often take advantage of working extra in our free time. In the evening, we also light lamps to pick chili peppers, so the atmosphere in the field is very cheerful,” Ms. Ha said.
Sharing about the chili planting model, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, an employee of Hoa Phong Cooperative, said that the model was implemented from the end of February 2026. The highlight of the model is the use of organic fertilizers and biological products to improve soil, protect the environment, and create safe agricultural products for consumers. In the fields, the Cooperative also invests in automatic irrigation systems.
Boldly converting rice cultivation areas to chili cultivation has brought positive economic efficiency. Chili plants grow well, bear many fruits, and are highly appreciated by consumers for their aroma and characteristic spicy taste.
The model of growing chili peppers in the sky not only brings income to workers but also creates jobs for farmer members, women members, summer vacation students... in the area. Currently, the cooperative pays 5,000 VND for each kg of chili pepper harvested," Ms. Hue said.
According to Ms. Hue, the job does not require high technology, so many middle-aged workers in the locality can take advantage of idle farming time to participate. Currently, the cooperative harvests from 3-5 quintals of chili peppers per day. The selling price is at least about 11,000 VND/kg and can change from time to time.
Chili peppers after harvest are immediately purchased by businesses.
