Golden camellia is favorably dubbed the “queen” of teas; in the past, this tea was used only for royalty. From a wild forest plant, Ba Che golden camellia has been revived to become a key crop here.
Ba Che golden camellia – A natural “miracle herb” in the mountainous region of Quang Ninh
5-star OCOP product. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
In recent years, the golden camellia cultivation area in Ba Che has expanded to nearly 200 ha. At a price of 15 million VND per kilogram of dried flowers, this flower brings hundreds of millions of VND each year to local people, helping them thrive and prosper.
Dried golden camellia. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Golden camellia is an indigenous plant that grows naturally in the forests, ravines, and streams of the mountainous district of Ba Che, Quang Ninh Province. Previously, locals dug up whole plants to sell to traders for about 1.5 – 2 million VND per plant. However, because traders bought whole plants, golden camellias became increasingly scarce.
Planting golden camellias. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Recognizing the immense benefits that the Ba Che golden camellia brings, instead of selling trees, people gradually began planting, restoring, and conserving golden camellia. Golden camellia naturally prefers shade, so when brought to hills for cultivation, irrigation must be provided, and plants must maintain proper spacing; planting too densely will cause the plants to die.
Processing golden camellia. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Ba Che golden camellia has now become a 5-star certified product, recognized as an OCOP product of Quang Ninh Province. Not stopping there, this product is also gradually working toward becoming a national OCOP product.
Camellia flowers. Photo: Lao Dong Newspaper.
The development of Ba Che golden camellia cultivation is not only the story of pioneering farmers who dare to think and act, but also proof of the sound policy to turn Ba Che into a center for the forestry economy and medicinal herbs.
Photo: @mochuong86.
According to researchers, Ba Che golden camellia is a precious medicinal herb for health, with bodily effects such as: reducing blood sugar levels, detoxifying the liver and kidneys; lowering serum lipid levels, decreasing bad cholesterol; potentially helping lower blood pressure, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and preventing the formation of blood clots that cause vascular occlusion.
Tea leaves also have many uses. Photo: Fb Tra Hoa vang Ba Che Quang Ninh.
In addition, the tea has diuretic effects; prevents atherosclerosis; inhibits and eliminates bacteria; helps prevent cancer and inhibits tumor growth; enhances vitality, fights inflammation, relieves allergies, and maintains normal thyroid function…
Golden camellia buds. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Along with traditional sales channels, local people have also stepped up the promotion and marketing of golden camellia products through online channels, thereby increasing the number of out-of-province customers and making Ba Che golden camellia even more widely known.
A lush golden camellia hill in Ba Che. Photo: N.Q.
Golden camellia farming is a relatively new and young occupation in Quang Ninh, yet it is experiencing unprecedentedly rapid growth. It has become a livelihood that helps locals prosper and preserve distinctive cultural values, serving as a foundation for the mountainous district of Ba Che to develop services and tourism linked to agriculture.
