"A Hundred Years of No. 1 Famous Tea": The journey to continue historical, cultural and economic values of Thai Nguyen tea

Cau Da tea hill in Hoang Nong commune, Dai Tu district is one of the most beautiful tea hills in Thai Nguyen province. (Photo: Manh Thang)

Tea plant - A cultural symbol

When it comes to Thai Nguyen, people immediately think of tea. Thai Nguyen tea, known as the "No. 1 famous tea", is renowned not only for its special flavor - mildly astringent with a sweet aftertaste - but also because the tea plant and tea-making profession have been associated with generations, entering the subconscious and becoming part of the identity of this land. Prosperous tea regions such as Tan Cuong (Thai Nguyen City), La Bang (Dai Tu district), Trai Cai, Song Cau (Dong Hy district), Tuc Tranh (Phu Luong district) ... are not just characteristic inverted bowl-shaped green hills of the midland region but also places that preserve traditional cultivation techniques, cultural spaces and the source of vivid stories about people and transformation.

Tea, in the flow of history and modernity, has transcended the meaning of an agricultural product. It is a livelihood and economic foundation for tens of thousands of households. But more profoundly, it is a "cultural dialogue channel" - conveying the lifestyle, morality and refinement of Vietnamese people. In a cup of tea, one can see the artisan's hand, the breath of nature and a simple yet profound philosophy of life.

Comrade Ta Van Loc, Director of the Information Center, Editor-in-Chief of the Provincial Electronic Information Portal, Permanent Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, speaking at the Press Conference announcing the Writing Competition "A Hundred Years of No. 1 Famous Tea" on February 21, 2025

Affirming the value, Inspiring through a Writing Competition

The writing competition "A Hundred Years of No. 1 Famous Tea", organized by Thai Nguyen Province People's Committee, is not merely a platform for writers but also an invitation to affirm the historical, cultural and economic values of Thai Nguyen tea in the context of integration and development; to honor individuals and collectives who have contributed to the tea industry, from silent tea growers on hillsides to businesses striving to introduce Thai Nguyen tea to the world; and to ignite creativity, research and appreciation from the community, especially from young writers and tea enthusiasts, to spread the story of "No. 1 famous tea" through the language of heart, knowledge and writing artistry.

Not limited to journalists and writers, the competition also opens its doors to all Vietnamese citizens and overseas Vietnamese who carry in their hearts affection for Thai Nguyen tea. The competition is a place to absorb, listen to and honor the opinions and voices of each writer.

Journalists working at VietGap tea hill in Pha Ly hamlet, Van Han commune, Dong Hy district. (Photo: Tran Nhung)

Spreading inspiration from reality

The uniqueness of the Competition lies in its requirement for "no fiction, no use of artificial intelligence" - which makes each work not just a product of creative thinking, but also a crystallization of real experiences, sincerity and research efforts. Thus, the Competition not only evokes writing inspiration but also connects writers with the land, people and true stories of Thai Nguyen tea.

The creative journey is no longer a monologue in a closed room, but a journey of going - listening - meeting - feeling - telling. The resulting works will be a vibrant resource, carrying both artistic value and valuable documentary quality to promote Thai Nguyen tea to domestic and international communities.

Tan Cuong Tea Cultural Space - A place preserving many historical and cultural values of Thai Nguyen tea. (Photo: Phuong Thao)

The appeal of rewards for creativity

In addition to spiritual value, the Competition is marked by an attractive reward system, worthy of the participants' efforts and dedication:

• First Prize: Worth 15 times the basic salary (equivalent to over VND 30 million) along with Thai Nguyen tea product gifts.
• Second Prize: Each worth 10 times the basic salary.
• Third prize: Each worth 5 times the basic salary.
• Consolation Prize: Each worth 3 times the basic salary.

In particular, depending on the quality of submissions, the Organizing Committee may consider increasing or decreasing the number of prizes, ensuring awards are given based on actual quality rather than adhering to rigid quantities. This approach honors and encourages creativity and is truly necessary in today's competitions.

Packaging tea at Cao Son Tea Cooperative, Song Cong City. (Photo: Linh Lan)

The writing journey - An inviting living experience

The competition is not just a temporary platform but a valuable experiential journey. In the second quarter of 2025, registered authors will have opportunities to participate in field trips to tea regions, interact with local people, tour production processes and experience tea culture in daily life. This is the living material - the decisive factor in creating emotional, authentic and distinctive articles.

Writing about Thai Nguyen tea, therefore, is no longer about writing "about a product," but about people, culture, history, regional identity and expectations in the new era - where the "No. 1 famous tea" brand has not only domestic significance but also international reach. In the journey of sustainable development, a strong brand cannot be separated from cultural identity. For Thai Nguyen - where the tea plant is the "soul" of the land - evoking love and pride in tea is a way to nurture cultural roots, promote the economy and market tourism. The writing competition "A Hundred Years of No. 1 Famous Tea" is a sincere invitation to all who love Vietnamese culture, writing and authenticity - to together continue the hundred-year journey of Thai Nguyen tea through the language of heart and responsibility.

If you have a story, a memory, an emotion, or a perspective about tea - don't keep it to yourself. Write it down. Participate. Let that story contribute to creating a larger picture of a living, transforming heritage - Thai Nguyen tea.