Deserving of the first title

Thai Nguyen has a smaller tea area than Lam Dong. In the north, Yen Bai led some times in the tea field. However, Thai Nguyen not only holds the title of "the first renowned tea" area but also leads the country in tea area with about 21,700 hectares, compared to Lam Dong's 13,000 ha and Yen Bai's 8,500 ha.

Within the last two years, tea areas in some tea hubs, like Lam Dong and Yen Bai, have been halved, whereas Thai Nguyen tea producers have expanded production. This signifies that tea plants are indeed contributing to economic efficiency and have established themselves as the province's staple tree. Numerous specialty tea models have generated billions of dongs, and tea tree literally means "money tree."

Lam Dong was, for numerous years, the greatest tea region in the country. Lam Dong is likewise a province that benefits significantly from tourism. However, tea is a significant contributor to the region's tourism economy. When people think of Lam Dong, they think of flowers. Tourists are drawn to Lam Dong by the allure of thousands of flowers.

Thai Nguyen is also well-known as the name of a land. Due to Tan Cuong "Canh Hac" tea's century-old reputation and the bold flavor of the province's tea areas.

Recently, the tea land's beauty has added another aspect of value. Domestic, international visitors and tour groups have visited the province to learn about several prominent tea-making families.

Enhancing quality – Emphasizing the added value

We visited Mr. Tran Van Thang's family a dozen years ago in Tan Cuong commune, Thai Nguyen city. In the past, the most sophisticated tea buds were packaged in quintal-sized sacks, while tea buds given as gifts were divided into little plastic bags by kilogram.

Mr. Thang expressed his determination to alter the way of production, avoiding the use of chemicals, fertilizer, and pesticides. He was afraid that excessive chemical usage might endanger customers' health and perhaps the lives of his family members.

Producing in a safe manner would result in a temporary loss of profit, but it would save the environment. The solid proof was the absence of species in the pond used to clean the pesticide spray pump. Mr. Thang even avoided direct contact with the pond water, acknowledging its dangers.

Along with the program for new rural construction and the initiative to create high-tech agriculture in the area, modern agricultural thinking has begun to penetrate the cultivation practices of tea producers. Simultaneously, tea communities have developed methods to welcome community visitors and experience tea planting and production.

We recently noticed groups of tourists and visitors interacting and exchanging experiences during a visit to Mr. Tran Van Thang's family. The once-dead pond has been restored to life and is now utilized as a swimming pool for local youngsters.

With its closeness to the tea culture space, the Trung du Tan Cuong tea cooperative in Tan Cuong commune is also a well-known address for various tourism agencies, particularly those specializing in tours for foreign tourists.

Along with specialty teas such as tea marinated in jasmine, lotus, and rose, the cooperative maintains an area dedicated to the preservation of historic midland tea varietals, including the extremely uncommon purple bud tea. Not only can visitors drink excellent tea, but they are also guided directly by the host to the tea area, where they can observe the care, collecting, and processing of tea.

Numerous tourist agencies both within and outside the province believe Thai Nguyen has the potential to become a popular destination in the near future.

In 2018, several groups of foreign tourists and students visited to sample Tan Cuong and La Bang tea. They were taken aback by the villagers' kindness and enchanted by the region's beauty, fresh air, and tranquillity.

Indeed, younger people and foreign visitors consumed less Thai tea than the elderly, who like to unwind with a tea pod. Tea lovers like Thai Nguyen, a region known for its aromatic tea buds. Young folks visit the Thai Nguyen tea area to view tea and to see farmers make tea. Even if they do not drink tea, they appreciate tea and Thai Nguyen in their own unique ways. They will undoubtedly disseminate that love across the community.

Translated by Linh Linh