The fragrance of Cao Bo’s Shan Tuyet Tea

Cao Bo commune is home to nearly 1,000 hectares of Shan Tuyet tea, including many ancient trees over 100 years old. Blessed with favorable natural conditions and preserved through the traditional hand-picking and processing techniques of the Dao people, who account for 96% of the commune’s population, Shan Tuyet tea has become a key crop, generating high economic value and stable incomes for local people.

Local people harvest Shan Tuyet tea.

In 2011, Cao Bo’s Shan Tuyet tea was certified organic by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). By 2016, a cluster of 220 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, each more than a century old, was recognized as a “Vietnam Heritage Tree.” These acknowledgments highlight the exceptional value of this rare and precious tea variety.

The commune currently has three cooperatives, one organic tea joint stock company, and nine private tea-processing facilities. Together, they produce nearly 500 tons of tea annually, generating about VND12.37 billion in revenue.

Each year, around 200 tons of Shan Tuyet tea are exported to markets in Europe and Asia, further cementing its international reputation.

Beyond its economic value, Shan Tuyet tea also drives tourism. Cao Bo welcomes over 5,000 domestic and international visitors annually who come to explore and experience its tea culture. The commune organizes the annual Cultural Festival and Traditional Tea Processing Contest, events that not only preserve Dao cultural identity but also promote Cao Bo’s image and potential to a wider audience.

According to Nguyen Van Duong, Chairman of Cao Bo Commune People’s Committee, the local administration has always supported residents in preserving and promoting the value of Shan Tuyet tea, linking it with economic development and improved livelihoods. The commune is currently implementing the project “Strengthening the Conservation and Promotion of the Ancient Shan Tuyet Tea Heritage Cluster,” which is tied to enhancing livelihoods for communities living around Tay Con Linh Nature Reserve. At the same time, Cao Bo is diversifying products, improving packaging, and expanding trade promotion to tap into premium markets, creating momentum for sustainable growth.

Shan Tuyet tea has become a symbol of Cao Bo’s economic resilience and cultural heritage, preserving a valuable genetic resource while helping local people secure livelihoods and achieve sustainable poverty reduction.

Phi Anh