A “golden specialty” of the highlands

Located more than 1,000 meters above sea level, Muong Ang enjoys a cool climate, heavy mist and fertile, well-aerated soil - ideal conditions for Arabica coffee growth. Coffee was initially planted only as a trial. Few imagined that a crop long associated with Da Lat and the Central Highlands would take root so vigorously in the northwest mountains.

Yet after only a few harvests, the trees proved their resilience: strong growth, stable yields and a distinctive flavor profile marked by gentle aroma, light acidity and a sweet aftertaste shaped by Dien Bien’s highland climate. From the first small plots, coffee acreage expanded steadily, eventually becoming Muong Ang commune’s primary crop.

This success stems not only from natural advantages but also from the determination of local farmers. They learned proper cultivation techniques, planted in rows, pruned branches, applied organic fertilizers, and some even invested in irrigation, greenhouse drying and wet processing systems. Most importantly, they recognized the future value of coffee - once considered a secondary crop, now seen as “red gold” on the mountainsides.

These days, along the routes linking Muong Ang, Bung Lao and Quai To, it is easy to spot motorbikes and trucks loaded with freshly picked cherries and house yards filled with drying racks. This year’s harvest is bountiful, with round, evenly ripened beans, higher yields and stable purchase prices. Many households expect their incomes to improve significantly compared to previous seasons.

Lo Van Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee, said: “This year, people are very excited because coffee is both high-yield and high-priced. With current prices, one hectare of coffee from the fifth year onward generates around VND 400 million annually, much higher than other crops. Coffee not only increases household income but also creates seasonal jobs for thousands of workers. This is truly a crop that helps the province prosper.”

For ethnic minority communities, this marks a remarkable shift. Before coffee, their income relied largely on traditional slash-and-burn crops, which were unstable, weather-dependent and of low economic value. Coffee, by contrast, provides a steady annual revenue stream. Many households have expanded their plantations, earning tens to hundreds of millions of dong per harvest - figures once unimaginable.

Lo Thi Sen from Phang village, Bung Lao commune, shared: “This year’s coffee harvest is good, and prices reached up to VND 30,000 per kilogram, much higher than last year. My family has over two hectares, so our income will certainly be solid.”

Notably, coffee generates not only income at harvest time. Year-round activities such as pruning, fertilizing, weeding and processing also create work, helping families maintain stable earnings. This is a key factor in building sustainable livelihoods and reducing reliance on traditional upland crops.

Coffee has thus become a “green savings account” on the hillsides - a valuable asset that can be accumulated, converted and, above all, a source of pride for local families.

From the highlands to urban areas

The journey of Muong Ang coffee does not end at raw beans. Processing facilities, cooperatives and farmer groups have emerged, bringing professionalism to production. From wet processing and greenhouse drying to roasting and packaging; from meeting OCOP (One Commune, One Product) standards to crafting brand narratives; and from attending trade fairs to reaching major domestic roasters.

Muong Ang coffee is increasingly recognized as a signature flavor of the Northwestern region: rich aroma, bright acidity, and hints of honey and forest flowers. Several businesses have invested in deep processing lines, increasing product value many times over and reducing dependence on raw bean markets.

This elevation of the brand means coffee is no longer just an agricultural product; it is also a cultural symbol and an emblem of the hard work and perseverance of ethnic minority communities. Every packaged product carries a story of the land, its people and their aspirations.

Muong Ang’s coffee sector has expanded more quickly and sustainably as farmers are no longer “on their own.” Cooperatives play a bridging role by standardizing processes, providing technical support, guiding market access and offering product purchasing contracts. Many enterprises now sign stable procurement agreements, helping farmers feel secure and reducing risks from price volatility.

This cooperation has created a new ecosystem: farmers ensure quality and harvest correctly; cooperatives handle technical guidance and purchasing; businesses focus on processing and market expansion; and authorities support zoning, agricultural extension and credit.

Such a value chain not only keeps more income within the locality but also helps Muong Ang move closer to the modern coffee production models seen in major global origins.

Yet challenges remain. Large areas are steep and difficult to mechanize; investment in irrigation is still limited, requiring financial and technical support. Global coffee price fluctuations can affect local incomes, especially as many farmers still depend heavily on raw bean sales. Deep processing, though developing, remains small in scale and not yet not yet sufficient to create a major leap in value. Ensuring consistent quality, traceability and alignment with international standards remains a long-term endeavor requiring persistence and strategic investment.

However, these challenges are solvable with a long-term strategy and shared effort.

To ensure coffee not only lifts households out of poverty but helps them prosper, Dien Bien province is setting goals to improve raw material quality, rejuvenate aging plantations, use high-quality varieties and apply advanced cultivation techniques.

The province is also investing heavily in deep processing, promoting roasting, extraction and specialty products such as drip-bag coffee, cold brew and gift items. Developing geographical indications and standardizing branding will help protect the name, prevent adulteration and create a foundation for expanding domestic and international markets. Digital transformation, from traceability to e-commerce, will open wider access to customers.

Dien Bien is also promoting coffee tourism, offering harvest, drying and roasting experiences - models that have succeeded in major coffee regions worldwide. If these efforts are synchronized, Muong Ang coffee can fully evolve into a nationally recognized brand.

Across Muong Ang’s mountainsides, coffee trees continue to rise resiliently in the wind and sun, much like the people who cultivate them, diligent, steadfast and full of hope. From each ripe cherry, families gain livelihoods, children gain education opportunities, households gain savings and communities gain pride.

Muong Ang coffee has proven that developing highland economies is not an impossible dream. With the right crop, a clear vision and strong linkages, even the most remote villages can write their own stories of transformation.

For the coffee sector to keep flourishing, it requires the persistence of farmers, the partnership of enterprises, the guidance of authorities and the appreciation of consumers. But at this very moment, in the midst of the bustling harvest, one thing is clear, Muong Ang coffee has become a key to unlocking sustainable prosperity for Dien Bien’s ethnic minority communities.