Honey beekeeping in Tan Son: A harmonious way of life rooted in nature

Nestled in the mountainous heart of Tan Son District, My Thuan Commune is known not only for its pristine natural landscape but also for the rich cultural traditions of the Muong ethnic group. In recent years, honey beekeeping has emerged as a sustainable livelihood for locals, rooted in indigenous knowledge and in harmony with nature.

For generations, the Muong people in My Thuan have lived in close connection with the forest—relying on it for both survival and prosperity. Over time, their intimate understanding of nature’s rhythms—seasonal blooms, the habits of wild bees, and changes in weather—has become a form of unwritten knowledge passed down through the generations. Though not recorded in any books, it lives on in the community’s daily practices and philosophy.

“To raise healthy bees, you need high ground, early sunlight, proximity to flowering plants, and protection from drafts. If you want fragrant honey, you need to understand the seasons, know what’s blooming, and recognize which flowers produce rich nectar—like longan, Spanish needle, or acacia blossoms,” explained Ms. Hoang Thi Thom, a longtime beekeeper and Head of the Muong Vac Honey Beekeeping Association in Binh Hamlet, My Thuan Commune.

Young locals are also taking part in the honey production chain, promoting their products on platforms like Zalo, Facebook, and Shopee.

The Muong people have their own way of “listening” to nature. They can sense the arrival of honey season by the scent of the early morning wind, the color of the sunset sky, or the sound of bees returning to the hive. Each flower season produces a distinct honey flavor. They observe bee behavior to predict the weather and determine the right time to harvest without disturbing the colonies.

With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Thom recalls, “When I started out, my son would climb the hills to catch wild bees and place them in wooden boxes. From there, we gradually expanded our colonies. Since we lacked experience, I sent my son to the South to learn beekeeping and buy more bees. Raising bees is like caring for small children—you must be meticulous in every detail. Today, our family has nearly 1,000 colonies, with 800 for honey production and 200 for breeding. We collect about 25 tons of honey each year.”

Despite adopting modern farming techniques and tools to boost productivity, local beekeepers still preserve traditional practices—respecting nature, harvesting sustainably, and collecting honey manually without any chemical additives. As a result, Muong honey retains its pure, natural flavor—infused with the essence of wildflowers, rocky mountains, and highland sunshine.

A beekeeping garden owned by Ms. Hoang Thi Thom.

In the past, beekeeping in My Thuan existed only sporadically, with a few households raising bees on a small scale. But with support from the Commune Women’s Union and other local organizations, the profession has grown in both size and structure. In 2022, the Muong Vac Honey Beekeeping Association—founded by Muong women—was officially launched with 13 members, ushering in a new phase of sustainable economic development based on indigenous wisdom.

The association now manages over 5,000 hives, both local and foreign breeds. Annually, they produce around 200 tons of foreign honey and more than 4,000 liters of native honey, providing stable incomes of VND 7–10 million per month for its members. Mr. Hoang Van Men, a member of the association, said, “Our family raises about 300 colonies, yielding around 15 tons of honey per year. To improve results, the association regularly organizes training in beekeeping techniques, colony expansion, and safe harvesting. We also have access to low-interest loans from the Social Policy Bank, with a total disbursement of VND 1.2 billion.”

Thanks to migrating their colonies based on flower seasons, the honey varies in taste throughout the year.

To diversify their honey sources, beekeepers move their colonies to other regions during flowering seasons—for example, to Ha Giang for mint honey, the Central Highlands for coffee honey, or Son La for nectar from Spanish needle, milkweed, and longan flowers. As a result, Muong Vac honey comes in a variety of seasonal flavors.

“The spirit of ecological, ‘friendly’ beekeeping remains at the core, but each migration brings risks. Moving hundreds of hives at a time is a demanding and uncertain process. If the weather turns bad, we could lose everything. On a large scale, if flowers are lacking, the bees will disperse. Adding more sugar may keep them alive, but the honey won’t be as good,” Mr. Men shared.

This indigenous knowledge continues to be applied and adapted to modern conditions. As such, honey prices vary by flower season: longan honey sells for VND 200,000 per liter, Spanish needle and chò đen (Hopea odorata) honey fetch VND 150,000 per liter, and acacia honey goes for VND 100,000 per liter.

Beyond economic value, the Muong’s beekeeping model carries deep cultural meaning. Every drop of honey reflects a harmonious relationship with nature. For the Muong people, beekeeping is a way of living with the forest, with the bees—never exploiting or destroying them.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thom, head of the Muong Vac Honey Beekeeping Association, has more than 20 years of experience.

With ongoing support from local authorities and the Commune Women’s Union, the association has steadily grown. In particular, their product Muong Vac Natural Wildflower Honey has earned a prestigious 3-star OCOP certification, enhancing its reputation and gaining consumer trust.

Though the Muong’s beekeeping industry in My Thuan is thriving, it grows quietly and diligently—just like bees producing honey. Each drop holds the scent of the forest, the flowers, and the cultural soul preserved by generations.

Amid the mountains of Tan Son, the Muong people of My Thuan continue to tend to their bees—keeping alive a traditional craft deeply woven into their way of life. More than a livelihood, beekeeping here is a treasure trove of ancestral wisdom and a powerful symbol of the Muong people’s philosophy of living in harmony with nature. In today’s modern world, every drop of honey still carries the fragrance of wildflowers, sunlight, wind—and the enduring spirit of Muong culture.

Bao Thoa