Father's Cinnamon Tree

April, 2026 · Trà Leng

On the hillsides of Trà Leng commune, at an altitude of nearly 1,500m above sea level, cinnamon trees have been associated with the Ca Dong people for many generations. More than just an economic crop, Trà Leng cinnamon is a "savings" asset that parents plant for their children, and grandparents plant for their grandchildren, following the slow rhythm of the mountains and forests.

The Ca Dong people have a saying: "Planting cinnamon is like raising a child; you must be patient, you must wait, you must believe that one day it will grow up." And indeed, a cinnamon tree needs 15 to 20 years to reach maturity for harvesting. That period is long enough for a child to grow up, go to school, start a family, and receive the cinnamon forest from their parents as part of their inheritance.

Ama B’Nướch, 72 years old, is one of the oldest people in Hamlet 2. He recounts that his father's generation planted cinnamon, and he continued to plant for his children. When his youngest son reached marriageable age, he took him up to the cinnamon hill behind the house. Hundreds of cinnamon trees stood taller than a person, with thick, fragrant bark. He pointed and said: "This is yours, my son."

That was not just a saying. It is the Ca Dong people's philosophy of giving by planting in advance, so that future generations have a source of livelihood. The cinnamon forest does not belong to one person, but to the entire clan, the entire community.

The Trà Leng cinnamon region is located within the "Quế Trà My" geographical indication, protected since October 2011. At an altitude of 1,500m, with large day-night temperature variations and year-round fog, these are ideal conditions for cinnamon to grow slowly but produce thick bark with high essential oil content. This is why Trà Leng cinnamon is always valued higher than cinnamon from lower regions.

Each cinnamon harvest is an event for the entire village. The Ca Dong people do not harvest cinnamon industrially; they select individual mature trees, carefully peel the bark, and dry it using traditional methods. After drying, the cinnamon bark is rolled into tubes, neatly arranged on the kitchen loft, waiting for traders to buy it or to be taken to the market fair.

Today's young Ca Dong generation still maintains the tradition of planting cinnamon, but they are also starting to approach the market in new ways. Some households have partnered with processing enterprises to produce cinnamon essential oil, cinnamon powder, and OCOP products. Mountain Harvest - a brand of clean agricultural products from the highlands - is helping to bring Trà Leng cinnamon to urban consumers.

"Before, cinnamon was only sold raw to traders. Now, our children and grandchildren know how to make essential oil, how to package beautifully, and sell online. Our ancestors planted cinnamon for savings, but now cinnamon is not just for savings anymore; it has gone much further," shared Ms. Y Hoa, 58 years old, Hamlet 3.