Every year, in the winter-spring season, it is common to see many residents in Hoa Nhon Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, grow ‘cu kieu’ (pickled scallion heads), a species of wild onion commonly known as Chinese or Oriental onion.  

A view of a ‘cu kieu’ growing area

‘Cu kieu’ is one of the indispensable Tet delicacies.  The best pickled scallion heads are sour enough but still pungent and crunchy.  Vietnamese people usually eat them with a salty companion like dried shrimps, and sometimes with braised pork and traditional sticky rice cakes.

Ms Nguyen Thi Luyen, one of the ‘cu kieu’ growers in the suburb commune’s Thach Nham Dong Village, said that she started growing scallion heads in August 2017, and now she is busy harvesting her crops. 

Each sheaf of scallion heads is now priced at 20,000 VND in the local market.

Another farmer, Ms Yen from the commune’s Thach Nham Tay Village, hopes to earn 10 million VND from each 250m² area.

This species of wild onion is more drought-tolerant and less vulnerable to pestilent insects than other types of plants. 

Moreover, ‘cu kieu’ crops boast higher productivity and lower production costs in comparison with paddy fields. 

Mr Tran Van Thu, the Vice Chairman of the Hoa Nhon Commune People’s Committee, said that his locality is now promoting the implementation of a project for reintroducing the fine tradition of producing pickled scallion heads. 

Under the project, a total of 33 local families are being provided with free ‘cu kieu’ seeds, along with the subsidised costs of fertilizer. 

Furthermore, local agricultural experts are enthusiastically introducing farmers to different steps of tending to their crops such as hoeing the soil, sowing the seeds, taking care of scallion heads, and harvesting them properly.

According to Vice Chairman Thu, participating farmers usually earn about 20 million VND from each 500m² field, after deducting their production costs, and this makes them very happy.

In the coming time, the local authorities will appeal for more locals to join in this practical project in a bid to help them increase their incomes. 

This model is expected to be expanded into other communes in Hoa Vang District in the future years.

According to traditional medicine, the ‘cu kieu’ roots can provide extra body’s warmth, and they are really good for digestion and urination.

But most diners just care about its mouth-watering taste which helps moderate many rich dishes served in parties after parties during the festival.