Shan Tuyet tea of the Tay Con Linh area

On the high mountains of Tay Con Linh, ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees are revered as “green gold”, a precious gift of nature that has contributed to building the brand of Tuyen Quang tea. Following the administrative merger of Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang, the province has become one of the largest green tea regions in the country, with Shan Tuyet ancient tea standing out as its most highly valued product.

Local people process Shan Tuyet tea by handcrafted methods.

The prestige of Shan Tuyet tea has been affirmed through its presence at major diplomatic events. It was an honor to be served at state tea receptions for the Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping during his visits to Vietnam in 2017 and 2023. Notably, during Xi’s fourth visit, he and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong enjoyed Tay Con Linh Shan Tuyet White Tea - winner of the AVPA World Tea Gold Award - and West Lake Dam Tri Lotus Tea, whose main ingredient is Shan Tuyet white tea. This was a moment of pride for local tea growers and processors.

Many artisans and cooperatives have contributed to building the Shan Tuyet tea brand, helping it reach international markets. Not only has Shan Tuyet tea won the hearts of global tea enthusiasts, but it has also earned prestigious awards at national and international tea competitions. Hoang Hai Ly, former leader of Hoang Su Phi district, proudly affirmed that Shan Tuyet is the signature tea of Tuyen province. Meanwhile, Japanese tea expert Matsuo Tomoyoki praised Shan Tuyet from Tay Con Linh for its unique flavor, unmatched by most teas in the world.

These centuries-old Shan Tuyet tea trees grow naturally at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,500 meters, shrouded in mist year-round. The cool climate produces tea buds covered in fine white hairs like snow, yielding golden-colored liquor with a captivating fragrance. This distinctive environment has created the rare qualities that make Shan Tuyet tea exceptional.

To harness its advantages, the province has introduced multiple policies supporting tea cultivation, processing, and trade. Currently, 1,629 Shan Tuyet tea trees have been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. With its growing economic value and international reputation, Shan Tuyet tea generates hundreds of billions of VND in revenue annually, becoming a key crop that plays an important role in poverty reduction and improving the livelihoods of ethnic communities in the mountainous region.

Thien Thanh