Many people in mountainous district of Sa Pa (Lao Cai Province) have recently been trying to earn their livings by selling peach branches and trees to urban citizens. It is said that by selling only a few peach trees, one ethnic family could have their traditional Tet holiday well-prepared. Meanwhile, to urban people, beautiful mountainous peach branches are considered most vital for a proper traditional lunar new year’s eve.
Although the Year of Tiger is more than one month to come, many people -who mostly are long-distance truck drivers - are heading north to province of Lao Cai to buy peach branches and trees which will then be resold to urban people.
Communes of Ta Phin, San Sa Ho, O Quy Ho… have been famed with valleys of giant ancient peach trees but not much is left so far. Even some hundred-year-old peach trees were rooted out and could be so valuable in the market.
According to Mr. Phan Ba Duong in Sa Pa Town, hundreds of families in the region planted for peaches however have been facing difficulties due to poor productivity. But they could gain big benefits if they sell peach branches or trees for flower-lovers in urban centres.
Duong’s family owns tens of peach trees. He estimated the smallest peach branch would cost at least VND100,000. People who love to contemplate big peach branches and trees would pay VND 5-7 million for them. These benefits are times much more than those from selling peaches. Nonetheless, this could destroy the beauty of many peach gardens in the region and thus negatively impact to tourism brand of Sa Pa.
But it is surprising that local authorities and functional agencies have no action to prevent the trade. The reason cited is mountainous peach trees are not rare and trees planted at home could be chopped down for sale. Farmers in the region are merely encouraged to preserve ancient peach trees, particularly in tourism sites.
By TP (TTIC)