From a plant that once grew naturally in the forests, golden camellia in Loi Bac Commune, Lang Son Province, has gradually been cultivated, nurtured, and developed into a high-value economic crop by local residents. After more than a decade of establishing raw material areas, organizing production linkages, processing products, and building a brand, golden camellia tea has become a distinctive local specialty, contributing to higher incomes and improved living standards for local people. The development model of golden camellia in Loi Bac Commune not only delivers tangible economic benefits but also represents an appropriate approach to green and sustainable agricultural development, combining economic value creation with the conservation of precious medicinal plant genetic resources native to the mountains and forests of Lang Son.
Golden Camellia (Camellia chrysantha), often referred to as the “Queen of Teas”, is a precious medicinal herb.
Golden camellia is a valuable natural medicinal plant widely appreciated for its delicate fragrance, naturally sweet taste, and health-promoting properties. When enjoyed as a tea, it offers a relaxing and refreshing experience, making it suitable for daily consumption. According to traditional knowledge and several studies on medicinal plants, golden camellia may help detoxify the body, improve overall health, support blood pressure regulation, assist in blood sugar control, reduce cholesterol levels, and promote the well-being of older adults. In addition, the product has attracted attention for its potential to support weight management, strengthen immunity, and help reduce the risk of certain health conditions. With these qualities, golden camellia Tea is not only a beverage with a distinctive flavor of the Lang Son highlands but also a medicinal product with strong potential for development as a high-quality commercial product under the OCOP Program and the locality’s sustainable agricultural development strategy.
Dried Golden Camellia Tea with its distinctive golden color and delicate fragrance
The journey of transforming golden camellia into a key crop in Loi Bac Commune began more than a decade ago. In 2009, several households boldly brought Golden Camellia plants from the forest into cultivation and gradually expanded production on a commercial scale. Benefiting from suitable soil conditions and the cool climate characteristic of mountainous areas, the plant grew well, produced high-quality flowers, and gradually demonstrated economic advantages over several traditional crops of the locality.
However, as cultivation areas expanded, farmers encountered challenges in preserving, processing, and marketing the product. Fresh Golden Camellia flowers have a short shelf life, while sales were largely limited to raw materials, preventing the product from fully realizing its potential value. In response to the need for sustainable production development, the Loi Bac Medicinal Plant Cooperative Group was established in May 2022 with nine members, jointly cultivating 3.5 hectares of Golden Camellia.
Loi Bac Golden Camellia tea
The establishment of the cooperative group marked a shift from small-scale production to coordinated and concentrated production. Members received guidance on standardized cultivation and harvesting processes, along with support in processing and marketing activities. To improve quality and increase added value, the cooperative invested in a modern freeze-drying system. This technology helps preserve the flowers’ natural color, distinctive aroma, and valuable bioactive compounds, providing a strong foundation for building the Loi Bac golden camellia tea brand in the marketplace.
This transformation in production practices quickly yielded positive results. In 2023, Loi Bac golden camellia tea was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, creating an important foundation for expanding market access, increasing product value, and gradually entering larger distribution channels. Today, with cultivation areas expanded to seven hectares, golden camellia has become an important source of livelihood for many local households. Stable income from golden camellia cultivation not only helps meet daily living needs but also enables farmers to save, reinvest, expand production, and develop their household economies in a sustainable manner.
In the coming years, the cooperative group aims to continue developing golden camellia through a sustainable approach that combines commercial production with the conservation of indigenous medicinal plant resources. Alongside the expansion of environmentally friendly cultivation areas, the cooperative will promote research and the development of value-added processed products to further enhance product value and strengthen the Loi Bac golden camellia Tea brand. Through these efforts, the cooperative strives to establish Loi Bac golden camellia Tea as one of the signature specialties of Lang Son, contributing to higher incomes for local residents and promoting green and sustainable agricultural development./.
Kim Ly
Organizations, individuals, and partners interested in learning more about the products of the Loi Bac Medicinal Plant Cooperative Group may contact:
Address: Loi Bac Commune, Lang Son Province, Viet Nam
Representative: Mr. Trieu Huu An
Telephone: (+84) 346 092 686
