Phong Lai commune, Thuan Chau district (Son La province), is located right at the foot of Pha Din pass. Blessed with favorable climate and soil, it is known as the "land of green tea".

Phong Lai commune has the largest tea-growing area in Thuan Chau district with 750 hectares of tea, primarily consisting of Oolong and green tea. Due to the favorable local terrain, soil, and climate, along with the strict application of cultivation, care, harvesting, production, and processing techniques, tea grown in Thuan Chau district has many distinct advantages over tea from other localities. The brewed tea has a natural green color, a delicate aroma, and a rich, mild flavor.

Tea cultivation has firmly established itself as a key crop in socio-economic development and improving the lives of people in Phong Lai commune. To date, ethnic minorities such as the Thai, Mong, and Kinh people in villages like Pa Chap, Khau Lay, and Thu Vu are actively developing and expanding tea plantations. Thanks to tea, the people of Phong Lai, especially the Mong people, have abandoned outdated customs and traditions, adopting settled farming practices. Along with cultivating fruit trees, they are focusing on intensive tea cultivation. Tea plantations are expanding across the hillsides, becoming the main source of income for the local people. Tea cultivation has helped stabilize and improve the lives of the people.

In particular, to maximize potential and strengths to meet the requirements of international integration, in recent years, many tea production and trading companies, enterprises, and cooperatives have participated in cooperation and guided tea growers in Phong Lai to apply advanced and modern technologies from planting, caring, and processing according to VietGAP standards, ensuring that production materials meet food safety standards. Typical examples include: Than Nga Agricultural Products Co., Ltd., Thu Dan Tea Company, Phong Lai Tea Cooperative… Thanks to this cooperation, the economic efficiency obtained from tea production and trading activities has been significantly improved.

Having weathered many ups and downs, tea cultivation in Phong Lai has proven to be one of the key crops contributing to sustainable poverty reduction. Farmers here consistently prioritize tea cultivation, investing in new varieties, applying scientific and technological advancements to intensive farming, improving and replanting tea, and building a strong brand.

People in Phong Lai commune are harvesting tea.

Besides that, the vast, lush green tea plantations, along with the fragrant colors of the Northwest mountains, attract many domestic and international tourists who come to enjoy and take photos. The image of women carrying bags on their shoulders, their hands nimbly and skillfully picking tea buds, has also aroused the curiosity and interest of tourists who want to learn about and experience the tea production method. As a result, more and more foreign tourists are falling in love with the culinary products of the Northwest in particular and Vietnam in general. The tea plants in Phong Lai commune have contributed significantly to promoting tea-drinking culture, a unique cultural aspect of our country, to visitors from all over the world.

Tea cultivation has flourished, providing a significant source of income for the local people.

The race route in Thuan Chau district passes through the tea hills of Phong Lai commune.

Tourists experience tea harvesting at the tea hills in Phong Lai commune.

HCurrently, Phong Lai has two tea products that have achieved OCOP 4-star provincial certification: Oolong tea from Thu Dan Tea Co., Ltd. and Trong Nguyen tea from Binh Thuan General Production, Business and Service Cooperative.

Phổng Lái tea products have not only established their own brand but are also increasingly developing in the market, becoming one of the key and typical products under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program; helping Phổng Lái escape poverty and become one of the most economically developed communes in Thuận Châu district, Sơn La province.

Source: Economic & Beverage Magazine (online)