Ly Son: where shallots grow in sand
An island where the best things grow in sand rather than soil.
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| There are two shallot crops a year. August is the final one, after the first one in March. |
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| A hectare is estimated to produce six tons of shallot, which are sold to merchants at VND20,000 (US$1) per kilogram. These merchants then take the shallots to the mainland, dry and resell at a much higher price. |
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| The produce is called “violet jade” thanks to the prosperity it has brought to the island’s households. |
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| The harvesting season coincides with the children’s summer vacation. They are also also sent out to the fields to give their parents a hand. |
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| Shallots grown in sand here are said to be sweeter and more aromatic. It’s a unique type of onion and the pride of Ly Son people. |
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| After harvesting, the farmers immediately prepare the land and sand for the next crop. |
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| There are 130 hectares of shallots on Ly Son that provide a splendid panoramic scene from above, with each field separated by a row of trees and bushes. |
