Ancient tea trees growing in the forest are considered "treasures" in Nam Nghiep village, Ngoc Chien commune. Photo: Truong Son

Ngoc Chien commune has over 18,460 hectares of forest, bordering Tram Tau and Pung Luong communes, Lao Cai province. Located at an altitude of over 2,000m above sea level, around Ta Chi Nhu mountain area of ​​Hoang Lien Son range. The climate here is always cold and humid, covered with clouds, creating favorable conditions for the development of flora and fauna.

Among them, the most prominent are the ancient tea trees that have been preserved by the people of Nam Nghep, Cham Pung, Pu Danh, Muong Chien, and Na Tau villages for generations.

Ancient tea trees are picked by villagers for use. Photo: Truong Son

Deep in the forest, the ancient tea trees have rough trunks covered with moss, many of them are so big that adults cannot hug them, 15 - 20m high. The tea buds are as big as chopsticks, the tea leaves are thick and small, the young tips glow purple-green (purple-green).

Ancient tea trees are scattered over an area of ​​more than 1,000 hectares of forest, creating a "green treasure" among the vast mountains and forests of Son La.

Mr. Thao A Vang, Party cell secretary, head of Nam Nghep village, said that agricultural experts have surveyed and made a preliminary assessment of the Ngoc Chien ancient tea population as one of the dragon claw tea varieties (or dragon tail tea), living at an altitude of over 2000m above sea level, with winter air temperatures below 10°C and summer temperatures below 20°C. Tea buds are harvested once a year around early spring..

“The village currently has 135 households, 100% of whom are Mong ethnic people. People are always aware of protecting forests with ancient tea trees, because this is not only a source of income for the people but also a natural heritage that remains to this day,” Mr. Vang shared.

The ancient tea buds in Ngoc Chien are large and purple-green. Photo: Truong Son

Unlike the ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Ta Xua or Muong Lum, Muong Do, the ancient tea trees in Ngoc Chien grow in the forest, making them difficult to distinguish. Forest goers only recognize them when they see white tea flowers with yellow pistils falling to the ground. From March onwards, the trunk and branches are full of young buds, signaling the tea picking season.

Locals here say that tea picked from these ancient trees has a slightly bitter taste at first, then a cool and sweet aftertaste.

Tea water has a slightly bitter taste at first, then a clear, sweet aftertaste. Photo: Truong Son

Ngoc Chien commune has conducted a survey to determine the quantity and age of tea trees. At the same time, it has delimited the area that can be exploited and processed. The locality has also developed a plan to preserve genetic resources, combined with research on the direction of developing eco-tourism on the Ngoc Chien - Mu Cang Chai - Tram Tau route (old Yen Bai province).

Authorities inspect and mark ancient tea trees in Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune, Son La province. Photo: Truong Son

With the mysterious old forest scenery, hundred-year-old tea trees covered with moss, rare purple-green buds and the preservation of the Mong people, the ancient tea forest in Ngoc Chien is not only a natural resource but also the pride of the people here.