As farmers in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam cannot sell fresh chilies, they have to dry fresh chilies, even on sidewalks, turning a local street into a so-called ‘chili street’.

Over the past month, farmers in chili farming hotspots, such as Nghia Ha, Nghia Dung, and Nghia Dong Communes in Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province, have found it hard to sell fresh chilies due to the low prices and traders’ refusal.

Chili prices have plummeted to VND4,000-7,000 (US$0.2-0.3) per kilogram, the lowest over the past many years, while the prices fluctuated between VND25,000 ($1) and VND80,000 ($3.1) per kilogram last year.

The price decline was attributed to Chinese partners’ halt of chili imports from Vietnam.

As a result, local residents have turned sidewalks along the eight-kilometer Truong Sa Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Quang Ngai City, into chili drying areas, dyeing the street red.

Dried chilies are packed to make room for drying new batches of fresh chilies. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

Bay Luyen, a resident in Nghia Ha Commune, Quang Ngai City, said chilies had been ripe but the prices were low.

They now expect to be able to sell dried chilies or keep them until the rainy season for sale.

The ‘chili street’ has attracted many tourists.

Van Hoang from Ho Chi Minh City said he was curious about the street whose pavements were full of chilies, so he took photos of his family on the street.

Earlier, the administration in Quang Ngai City had called on local farms to limit chili farming due to unstable sales.

However, residents ignored the advice. 

Residents shovel dried chilies into bags as fresh chilies remain plentiful. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

Chilies dye the eight-kilometer Truong Sa Street in Quang Ngai City red. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

Chilies are dried on pavements of Truong Sa Street in Quang Ngai City. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

Many people call Truong Sa a “chili street’. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

Due to the large volume of chilies, residents have to use trucks to transport chilies. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

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