Mr. Ha Van Ngoc, Director of Thanh Nien General Agricultural Service Cooperative in Yen Minh commune, tending to his chili garden
From a Subsidiary Crop to a Specialty Produce
Unlike many other varieties, the native Bird's Eye Chili is prized for its small size, distinctive spicy flavor, deep aroma, and the ability to retain its vibrant red color even when dried. Its unique flavor profile and cultivation at altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters above sea level make this chili the "soul" of highland cuisine. Previously, the chili was mostly intercropped in gardens as a subsidiary crop, grown only for household consumption. With the growth of tourism, the Bird's Eye Chili product has gained wider recognition. Consequently, many households have switched to specialized cultivation, expanding the planted area.
Dong Van commune, a pioneer in scaling up the native chili's area, has identified it as a key commodity that serves both tourism and poverty reduction efforts. The commune currently maintains over 2 hectares, with an average yield of about 3.5 quintals per hectare. Mr. Ho A Phu of Ban Mo village never thought the chili planted around his house could be sold for income. Following the commune's guidance, his family now earns a decent income from 15,000 chili plants.
Mr. Phu stated: “The Bird's Eye Chili is planted in early March, yields a harvest in about 2.5 to 3 months, requires low investment, and is resistant to pests. Furthermore, the harvest season is prolonged, and the retail price ranges from 400,000 to 500,000 VND per kilogram, bringing my family an income of over 100 million VND annually from this crop. The chili is no longer just a spice, but a source of wealth for my family and fellow villagers.”
For highland residents struggling with limited arable land and water resources, finding an economically viable crop suited to their natural conditions is a great source of joy. In Pac Dau village, Tat Nga commune, Mr. Phan Van Chim boldly converted 0.5 hectares of agricultural land to chili cultivation. Previously, this land only supported one rice crop and one corn crop per year, resulting in precarious income. After visiting a chili model, he decided to venture into this new specialty crop in late 2021. The chili plants thrived, now yielding about 150 kg annually, equivalent to 70 million VND, significantly higher than the income from growing corn and rice.
The "Ngoc Tuyen Salt-Mixed Chili" product was recognized as a Typical Rural Industrial Product at the provincial level in 2024
Bird's Eye Chili Reaches the Market
The entire province currently has over 15 hectares of Bird's Eye Chili, mainly in the communes of Dong Van, Meo Vac, Tat Nga, Yen Minh, and Thang Mo. Thanks to the dynamism of local people and the strategic direction set by local authorities, this crop has become a commodity, consumed steadily both inside and outside the province. Various processed products are now available in specialty stores and tourist areas, helping to promote the unique flavor of the highlands to visitors.
The Thanh Nien General Agricultural Service Cooperative in Yen Minh commune, managed by Mr. Ha Van Ngoc, specializes in the production and processing of chili products. Having been involved with the chili for eight years, the cooperative maintains 6 hectares annually, selling about 2.1 tonnes of chili with a total revenue of 420 million VND per year. To expand its raw material area, Mr. Ngoc is linking up with 15 households in Yen Minh and Thang Mo starting from 2025, providing seeds and guaranteeing the purchase of their entire harvest. The cooperative’s product, "Ngoc Tuyen Salt-Mixed Chili," has achieved the OCOP 3-star certification and was recognized as a Typical Rural Industrial Product at the provincial level in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Thanh Cong Handicraft, Construction, and General Service Cooperative in Dong Van commune has focused on brand building and safe product development. Not limited to fresh chilies, the cooperative offers diverse processed items such as dried chili, salted chili, chili preserved in honey, and chili sauce, all jarred and labeled to ensure food safety and convenience in transport and use. Notably, the cooperative's "Pickled Chili in Vinegar" won the Vietnam Agricultural Gold Brand Title in 2018.
With its unique flavor, the Bird's Eye Chili is proving its potential to become a signature brand of the Stone Plateau region, bringing sustainable livelihoods to local communities.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
Vietnamese source on Tuyenquangonline
