Tra hoa vang festival held in Quang Ninh

A festival on Tra hoa vang (scientifically known as camellia chrysantha) was held recently in the northern province of Quang Ninh, with the aim of promoting the plant’s medical and economic value.

Addressing the event, Vu Van Dien, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the two-day festival’s objective was to encourage locals to increase the production and processing of medicine, including those made from Tra hoa vang, while luring investors into this field.

Tra hoa vang is a species of plant in the Theaceae. It was found growing naturally in forests in Ba Che district a long time ago, but its real values were only discovered in recent years.

The compound found in camellia chrysantha has the ability to curb the growth of tumors up to 33.8 percent and helps reduce up to 35 percent of cholesterol in the blood.

The plant is also able to relieve the symptoms of atherosclerosis caused by blood fats, control blood pressure and treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and tumors, among other health issues.

Residents of Ba Che often charge 15 million VND (660 USD) per kg of dried camellia chrysantha buds and flowers. Ba Che district is cultivating around 100ha of Tra hoa vang and the area is expected to grow 500ha by 2020.

Within the framework of the festival, which ended on January 18, there were art performances and a range of folk games.