Comrade Trinh Viet Hung, Alternate Member of the Party Central Executive Committee, Secretary of Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee

Affirming its position

In an interview with “Doi Song va Phap Luat” (Life and Law) Magazine, Comrade Trinh Viet Hung, Alternate Member of the Party Central Executive Committee and Secretary of Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee, stated: Tea is a key crop of Thai Nguyen Province. With advantageous soil and climate conditions suitable for tea cultivation, coupled with the people's long-standing tradition and expertise in growing and processing high-quality tea products, tea has increasingly held a significant position and role in agricultural production as well as in the socio-economic development of the locality. Leveraging the province's potential and advantages in tea cultivation, over the years, various levels and sectors in Thai Nguyen have focused on effective leadership and implementation of synchronized solutions to promote the development of the tea industry, achieving many important milestones. Notably, on February 3, 2025, Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee issued Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU on the development of the Thai Nguyen tea industry for 2025-2030 period.

Many policies have been promulgated and implemented effectively such as: Supporting organic and policies have been effectively implemented, including support for organic and biological fertilizers; certification for safe production under VietGAP and organic standards; mechanization support; the application of water-saving irrigation systems and processing equipment; packaging and labeling support; branding; and trade promotion activities to connect and market tea products...

Currently, Thai Nguyen province has a total of over 22.2 thousand hectares of tea

Thai Nguyen is the province with the largest tea cultivation area, yield, output and income value nationwide. Currently, the province has over 22.2 thousand hectares of tea, with 193 tea products certified under the OCOP (One Commune One Product) standards, ranging from 3 to 5 stars (including 2 OCOP 5-star products). The value of tea products has reached VND 13.8 trillion.

However, the Secretary of Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee noted that the province's tea industry has yet to fully exploit its potential, advantages and the value of tea. Small-scale household production still accounts for a large proportion, while the production scale of cooperatives and enterprises remains limited. The linkage between enterprises, cooperatives and farming households is still not strong.

In addition, the application of science and technology in production and processing remains limited. The product range is not yet diverse, with few deeply processed products, as traditional green tea still dominates. The connection and promotion of tea production, processing, business and tea culture to consolidate and enhance the brand and production efficiency are still slow.

Secretary of Thai Nguyen province Party Committee Trinh Viet Hung shared: Thai Nguyen Province is determined to develop the tea industry in alignment with the goal of restructuring the agricultural sector towards sustainability and modernization, enhancing quality and added value. The province aims to promote safe and organic production linked with deep processing, product diversification and a rapid increase in the proportion of high-quality, high-value products. It also seeks to attract investment, foster chain-based production, apply science, technology and innovation and implement digital transformation in production, processing and business. Additionally, the province is committed to preserving and promoting cultural and historical values to enhance the value and brand of Thai Nguyen tea, integrating the multi-faceted values of tea. Efforts will be made to promote consumption, exports and sustainable connections with the global agricultural value chain. The province strives to achieve a total product value from tea cultivation of VND 25 trillion by 2030.

Traditional Tea Processing at Hao Dat Tea Cooperative, Tan Cuong Commune (Thai Nguyen City)

In addition, Thai Nguyen Province is focusing on researching, restoring, preserving and promoting the tangible and intangible cultural values of tea-growing regions across the province, particularly the Tan Cuong tea region, to enhance the value of tea and Thai Nguyen tea products. The province is building a knowledge system on tea civilization and Thai Nguyen tea culture based on the development of "Tan Cuong Tea Cultivation and Processing Knowledge," which has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Concurrently, the province is preparing documentation to submit for the recognition of ancient tea trees in Thai Nguyen as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees".

With the largest tea cultivation area and output in the country, along with high-quality fresh tea bud production regions and favorable investment policies, Thai Nguyen Province is fully equipped and offers opportunities for domestic and foreign enterprises to invest in tea processing and the consumption of Thai Nguyen tea products, meeting domestic and export market standards and demands. Currently, Thai Nguyen tea is widely favored as a beverage and a high-value gift.

Residents of Tan Cuong Specialty Tea Region (Thai Nguyen City) investing in tea processing equipment

Raising the brand, soaring to new heights

In 2011, Thai Nguyen Province successfully organized the first International Tea Festival - Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. The festival took place from November 11 to 15, 2011, under the theme "Vietnamese Tea: Development and International Integration - A Meeting Point for World-Famous Teas".

The festival saw the participation of 30 tea delegations from provinces with strengths in tea cultivation and processing, 25 enterprises involved in tea production, business, processing and export, 50 renowned tea villages in Thai Nguyen Province and tea delegations from 10 countries and territories that consume and import Vietnamese tea products.

Following the success of the first International Tea Festival - Thai Nguyen, Vietnam 2011, in 2013, Thai Nguyen Province continued to host the second Thai Nguyen - Vietnam Tea Festival with the theme "Vietnamese Tea: Flourishing and Thriving." In 2015, the province organized the third Thai Nguyen - Vietnam Tea Festival under the theme "The quintessence of Vietnamese tea".

Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Thai Nguyen Tea Festival – Vietnam in 2015

The activities at the Tea Festival and Fair helped domestic and international visitors gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural values of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Thai Nguyen in particular. The events promoted the land and people of Thai Nguyen, especially its tea economy and tea culture, while fostering experience exchange and trade between domestic and international tea-growing regions. They also created an attractive platform to draw investors for joint ventures, partnerships and cooperative investments, particularly in tea production, processing and product consumption.

The events provided an opportunity for tea growers, producers and processors to interact and exchange experiences with domestic and international tea processing and consumption enterprises, gradually enhancing the efficiency of tea production and business. They also served as a platform to honor tea trees, tea products and tea growers, affirming the role of tea and Vietnamese tea culture. These efforts promoted specialized and concentrated production, attracted investors and facilitated joint ventures, partnerships and cooperation to improve the efficiency of the tea industry in Thai Nguyen and Vietnam. The Tea Festival and Fair also contributed to preserving and promoting the tangible and intangible cultural values of Thai Nguyen tea, elevating the image and status of Vietnam and its people, particularly those of the tea region.

" After organizing three Tea Festivals and Fairs, Thai Nguyen plans to host another large-scale tea festival at the end of 2025 to celebrate the Party Congresses at all levels. By then, the 'Thai Nguyen Tea' brand, the value of tea trees and Thai Nguyen tea products will have reached a new level" – Comrade Trinh Viet Hung, Secretary of the Thai Nguyen Province Party Committee, said.

* Works participating in the Writing Contest "One hundred of top-rated tea brand"