Lai Chau: Preserving and Developing the Sa De Phin Ancient Tea Tree Area

Preserving and developing the more than 10-hectare ancient tea tree area in Sa De Phin commune (Sin Ho, Lai Chau) is helping local people have jobs and a stable income…

Admiring the centuries-old ancient tea garden

Sa De Phin lies at an altitude of over 1,700m above sea level, shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, with a fresh, cool climate. The place is famous for its moss-covered ancient tea trees that are hundreds of years old. No one knows since when, but the ancient tea trees have been closely bound to the spiritual life of the people here. Each time they return from the forest, the people of Sa De Phin commune gather to sit beneath the tea trees to rest and relax. As a daily habit, they pluck a few fresh tea leaves and chew them, the cool, slightly astringent taste of the leaves chasing away the fatigue of a day in the forest.

Preserving and developing the ancient tea garden

Today, the Sa De Phin ancient tea area has more than 1,000 ancient tea trees, some 5 to 6m tall, their trunks covered in layers of moss that have changed color over time. Every year, the ancient tea area of Sa De Phin commune attracts thousands of visitors who come to explore and learn about the culture of the indigenous people. Implementing Lai Chau province's project to develop concentrated high-quality tea growing areas, Sin Ho district has been developing concentrated tea areas in highland communes as well as the ancient tea areas in the district. To date, the district has newly planted nearly 500 hectares, including the ancient tea tree area in Sa De Phin commune, with the rest concentrated mainly in the communes of Hong Thu, Phin Ho, Ta Ngao...

It is known that the Sa De Phin ancient tea area is on the list for preservation and development. Implementing the project and the resolutions of the province and the district, Sa De Phin commune has deployed measures to maintain, preserve and develop the ancient tea trees in association with the development of community-based tourism.

Source: trangtraiviet.danviet.vn

Date: 15/05/2022