Cinnamon

Name

In our country, wild cinnamon trees have the scientific name Cinnamomum cassia Nees et Bl.. Additionally, different regions may have their own names for it, such as Yên Bái Cinnamon, Quỳ Cinnamon, Quảng Cinnamon, or Mạy quế (as called by the Tày people).

Morphology

Cinnamon is a woody tree that grows to about 10-20 meters tall. Its bark is grayish-brown—thin and smooth when young but rough and thick as it ages. The leaves are mostly simple, elongated, and grow in near-symmetrical or alternating patterns. Cinnamon flowers grow in clusters and are either white or pale yellow.

Growth Characteristics

When newly planted, cinnamon trees need shade to grow, but as they mature, they become less dependent on shade. After about 3-4 years, they become fully sun-loving. By this time, the root system is well-developed, with large roots anchoring deep into the soil and smaller roots spreading and intertwining. This makes the tree sturdy and capable of thriving in less fertile, sloping mountainous areas. Wild cinnamon trees have a long growth cycle, taking about 8-10 years before they start blooming. The flowers are tiny, only about half the size of a rice grain, but they release a refreshing, fragrant aroma across the hills.

Harvesting

In lowland cinnamon forests, harvesting can begin after about 3-5 years. However, for high-quality products, the trees need to be at least 15 years old. Almost all parts of the cinnamon tree—bark, leaves, flowers, wood, and roots—are useful, but the primary products are cinnamon bark, branches, and leaves, which are dried or distilled for essential oils.

Famous Cinnamon-Growing Regions in Vietnam

Wild cinnamon typically grows in mixed forests within natural tropical humid environments. In Vietnam, cinnamon-growing areas are strategically developed into four major regions:

• Trà Mi Cinnamon Region
• Yên Bái Cinnamon Region
• Quế Phong – Thường Xuân Cinnamon Region
• Quảng Ninh Cinnamon Region

Each region has its own unique characteristics.

Trà Mi – Trà Bồng Cinnamon Region

Trà Mi and Trà Bồng have long been famous for their large-scale cinnamon cultivation and high-quality wild cinnamon trees. The region has an average annual temperature of about 22°C, rainfall of 2,300mm per year, and an average humidity of 85%. Cinnamon in this area grows at an altitude of around 400-500m.

Here, cinnamon is not just an economic resource but also a long-standing cultural symbol for ethnic minorities such as the Cà Toong, Cà Tu, and Bu people. Major cinnamon-growing communes include Trà Thủy (Trà Bồng), Trà Mai (Trà Mi), and others like Trà Quân, Trà Hiệp, Trà Long, and Trà Giác.

Yên Bái Cinnamon Region

This region has favorable conditions for cinnamon cultivation, featuring rugged mountainous terrain at elevations of 300-700m, an average annual temperature of 22.7°C, and high rainfall and humidity. Some areas receive up to 3,000mm of rain with humidity reaching 84%.

As a result, Yên Bái is Vietnam’s largest cinnamon-producing region. In particular, the four districts of Văn Yên, Văn Chấn, Văn Bàn, and Trấn Yên account for 70% of the province’s total cinnamon production. Notable cinnamon-growing areas in Yên Bái include Đại Sơn, Viễn Sơn, Xuân Tầm, Phong Dụ, and Châu Quế.

Quế Phong – Thường Xuân Cinnamon Region

This area, located between the Chu and Hiến river basins, benefits from an abundant water supply. The region has an average altitude of 300-700m, an annual temperature of 23.1°C, rainfall exceeding 2,000mm, and an average humidity of 85%. These conditions allow wild cinnamon trees to thrive.

Key cinnamon-growing districts in this region include Quế Phong and Quỳ Châu (Nghệ An province) and Thường Xuân and Ngọc Lạc (Thanh Hóa province). The cinnamon grown here is known for its high essential oil content. Additionally, the Mường, Mán, and Thái ethnic communities carefully harvest and process the cinnamon, ensuring high-quality products with strong market value.

Quảng Ninh Cinnamon Region

In Quảng Ninh, wild cinnamon trees are cultivated at altitudes of 200-400m. The region has an average annual temperature of 23°C and rainfall of about 2,300mm, which supports healthy tree growth. The cinnamon plantations here not only supply domestic markets but also serve international exports.

Notable cinnamon-growing areas in Quảng Ninh include Hà Cối, Hải Ninh, Đầm Hòa, Tiên Yêu, and Bình Liêu.

Economic and Social Impact

Cinnamon cultivation has significantly improved the livelihoods of local communities. In the past, many people struggled to meet daily needs, but growing cinnamon has provided them with stable incomes, improving their overall quality of life. Today, instead of worrying about poverty, they can focus on expanding economic opportunities through sustainable cinnamon farming.