Growing tobacco in Vietnam Vietnam’s tobacco industry is a tapestry woven with the threads of tradition, economic vitality, and the daily lives of its farmers. Beyond the smoke, there’s a story of a crop that’s more than just a plant it’s a livelihood for thousands and a subject of national policies. As we peel back the layers of tobacco cultivation, we uncover the intricate balance between cultural practices, economic pressures, and the regulatory environment that shapes the very essence of Vietnam’s agricultural heartbeat. Historical Background Tobacco cultivation in Vietnam dates back many years, with the industry gradually expanding over time. In 2002, the total area devoted to tobacco cultivation in Vietnam was about 18,000 hectares, accounting for 0.28% of total agricultural land . Current State of Tobacco Cultivation Today, the Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation, a state-owned entity, is responsible for planting tobacco crops in seven provinces and cities across the country . The corporation holds the largest market share, accounting for nearly 58% of the cigarette market . Virginia Tobacco Virginia tobacco, also known as ‘bright tobacco’, is one of the main types of tobacco used in cigarettes. It is named after the US state where it was first cultivated and is known for its yellow to orange color . Burley Tobacco Burley is another type of tobacco used in cigarettes. It is known for its light, airy texture and high nicotine content . Oriental Tobacco Oriental tobacco is a smaller, sun-cured variety that is known for its aromatic flavor. It is often used in traditional Turkish cigarettes . Soil and Climate Requirements Tobacco plants require a frost-free period of 100 to 130 days from the date of transplanting to maturity. The soil should be fertile and well-drained, with good aeration . Planting and Harvesting Tobacco seeds are sown in plant beds, and the seedlings are later transplanted to the field. The plants are then harvested when they reach maturity . Curing and Grading After harvesting, the tobacco leaves are cured to develop their flavor. The leaves are then graded based on their quality before being sold . Contribution to the Economy The tobacco industry is a significant contributor to Vietnam’s economy. The state-owned tobacco industry is regarded as an important contributor to the government revenue and gross domestic product . Employment Opportunities Tobacco cultivation provides employment opportunities for many people in Vietnam. In 2002, the number of full-time equivalent tobacco cultivators was about 136,000 . Government Policies and Regulations The Vietnamese government has implemented various policies and regulations to control the tobacco industry. For instance, Vietnam signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on August 8, 2003, and ratified it on December 17, 2004 . International Regulations and Agreements Vietnam’s tobacco industry is also subject to international regulations and agreements. For example, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has implications for the import and export of tobacco products . what are the different types of tobacco grown in vietnam In Vietnam, there are three main types of tobacco that are grown and cultivated: Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) Air-cured Sun-cured Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) is the most prevalent, accounting for 80%-90% of total production. The FCV tobacco is also known as “Bright” and “Virginia” in the world trade and is used almost entirely in cigarette blends. Some of the heavier leaves may be used in mixtures for pipe smoking . Air-cured tobacco is another type grown in Vietnam. This type of tobacco undergoes a natural drying process where the leaves are allowed to dry by exposure to air in well-ventilated barns. This process can take from one to two months and results in tobacco that has a rich, full-bodied flavor . Sun-cured tobacco is the third type grown in Vietnam. This type of tobacco is dried in the sun, which gives it a distinctive flavor and aroma. The sun’s direct heat fixes the leaf at a yellow to orange color with a high sugar content. Oriental is the most prominent of the sun-cured tobaccos . what are the main areas of tobacco cultivation in vietnam The main areas of tobacco cultivation in Vietnam are concentrated in several regions across the country. In the North, these include Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen. In the Central region, tobacco is grown in Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Ninh Thuan. In the South, Tay Ninh is a significant area for tobacco cultivation . The Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation also has tobacco production divisions in 7 provinces and cities across the country . The climate conditions in Vietnam are suitable for tobacco cultivation, making it an ideal location for this crop . Conclusion Tobacco cultivation in Vietnam is a complex issue, with economic benefits on one hand and health and environmental concerns on the other. It is crucial for the government and the industry to work together to address these challenges and ensure the sustainable development of the tobacco industry in Vietnam. Statistics: The Tobacco Products market in Vietnam is projected to grow by 4.28% (2024-2028) resulting in a market volume of US$8798.0m in 2028 . The total area devoted to tobacco cultivation in Vietnam in 2002 was about 18,000 hectares, and the number of full-time equivalent tobacco cultivators was about 136,000 . The highest volume of cigarettes produced in Vietnam was in 2019, reaching 6.38 billion packets . Books: “Tobacco Control and Tobacco Farming: Separating Myth from Reality” is a book based on the results of research funded by IDRC, drawing from nearly 20 research projects in LMICs including Vietnam . Another book, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong, provides a narrative that mirrors the life of a young Vietnamese American, which includes aspects of tobacco farming. Sources of information: British American Tobacco Vietnam https://www.batvietnam.com/group/sites/BAT_9VJH58.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO9VJEFR Statista https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/tobacco-products/vietnam BMC Public Health https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-9-24 Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Control-Farming-Separating-Reality/dp/1783082933 TobaccoTactics https://tobaccotactics.org/article/viet-nam-country-profile/ Statista https://www.statista.com/statistics/1115386/vietnam-cigarettes-production-volume/ World Health Organization https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/WPR-2018-DPM-003 Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Earth_We%27re_Briefly_Gorgeous NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6651112/ Tobacco Industry Monitor https://timonitor.seatca.org/vietnam/ Tobacco Free Kids https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-global/asia/vietnam ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26593161_Tobacco_farming_in_rural_Vietnam_Questionable_economic_gain_but_evident_health_risks Citations: The information provided is based on authoritative sources such as British American Tobacco Vietnam https://www.batvietnam.com/group/sites/BAT_9VJH58.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO9VJEFR, Statista https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/tobacco-products/vietnam https://www.statista.com/statistics/1115386/vietnam-cigarettes-production-volume/, BMC Public Health https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-9-24, Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Control-Farming-Separating-Reality/dp/1783082933, TobaccoTactics https://tobaccotactics.org/article/viet-nam-country-profile/, World Health Organization https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/WPR-2018-DPM-003, Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Earth_We%27re_Briefly_Gorgeous, NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6651112/, Tobacco Industry Monitor https://timonitor.seatca.org/vietnam/, Tobacco Free Kids https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-global/asia/vietnam, and ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26593161_Tobacco_farming_in_rural_Vietnam_Questionable_economic_gain_but_evident_health_risks.