The event brought together a large number of central and local delegates. From central agencies, participants included: Ms. Hoang Thi Hanh, Former Deputy Minister and Vice Chair of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs; Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief, Agriculture and Environment Magazine; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-harvest Technology (VIAEP); Historian Duong Trung Quoc; Mr. Hoang Vinh Long, Chairman of the Vietnam Tea Association (VITAS); Mr. To Dinh Dung, Chairman of the Vietnam Aviation Science Association; Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, Deputy Director, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute; Mr. Pham Hai Quynh, Director, Asia Tourism Development Institute; Mr. Le Huy Cuong, Member of the Executive Committee of the Heritage Trees Program, Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE); Dr. Do Minh Ha, Lecturer, University of Science, Vietnam National University–Hanoi.

From Lao Cai Province, Ms. Vu Thi Mai Oanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the workshop. Representing Van Chan Commune were Mr. Dang Duy Hien, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Commune People’s Council; and Mr. Nguyen Huu Luc, Deputy Party Secretary and Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee; together with members of the Standing Committee, leaders of subordinate units, and departmental representatives. The workshop also welcomed participants from neighboring Shan Tuyet–growing communes, including Son Luong, Phinh Ho, A Mu Sung, Bac Ha, and Ta Cu Ty.

From the business community, attendees included Mr. Nguyen Cong Han, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dragon Tea Suoi Giang JSC; and Ms. Lam Dieu Linh, Chairwoman of Viet Cultural Media JSC and representative of the Vietlink Tea brand; along with many experts and speakers specializing in agriculture and Shan Tuyet tea. The presence of central and local press agencies helped amplify the impact of the event.

The workshop served as an important platform for exchanging insights, assessing the potential and current status of Shan Tuyet tea, and discussing strategic solutions for its sustainable development. It also aimed to promote trade, expand market access, and increase the value of Suoi Giang’s ancient specialty tea.

Overview of the Workshop

Mr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of the Magazine of Agriculture and Environment, delivered the opening remarks

Delivering his opening remarks, Editor-in-Chief Dao Xuan Hung emphasized that the in-depth presentations, discussions, and policy recommendations put forward during the workshop would constitute an essential “identity document” for shaping a long-term strategy to position Shan Tuyet tea as a signature brand of the Northwest highlands. He noted that this will meaningfully contribute to green economic development, ecological agriculture, improved incomes and livelihoods for ethnic communities, and preservation of Suoi Giang’s precious heritage for future generations.

Ms. Vu Thi Mai Oanh, Deputy Director of the Lao Cai Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, expressed appreciation to the Agriculture and Environment Magazine and noted that, through the workshop, the province expected to receive support from experts in proposing solutions to enhance the value of Shan Tuyet tea, promote the development of distinctive, high–value products, and thereby improve local livelihoods

According to Ms. Vu Thi Mai Oanh, agricultural tourism can only develop when the people of Suoi Giang take genuine pride in the heritage they possess, supported by clear orientation and scientific approaches. “This is a critical moment for Lao Cai to affirm the position of Shan Tuyet tea not only domestically but also globally,” she stressed.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Nguyen Huu Luc, Chairman of the Van Chan Commune People’s Committee, stated that Shan Tuyet tea provided a major source of sustainable livelihood for the Mong ethnic community, with more than 90% of households in Suối Giàng engaged in growing and harvesting ancient tea trees. Income from Shan Tuyet tea—after the adoption of organic and OCOP standards—had helped many households escape poverty, improve living conditions, and move toward economic prosperity

The Chairman of the Van Chan Commune People’s Committee underlined that, to develop ancient tea trees into a flagship and spearhead product for the highland economy, the commune is promoting trade activities, diversifying tea products, and targeting various consumer groups—so that Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea becomes not only a favored domestic product but also a competitive export to European and Asian markets.

Participants attended the Workshop

The Workshop “Developing and elevating the value of Shan Tuyet tea” was chaired by Mr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of the Agriculture and Environment Magazine; Ms. Vu Thi Mai Oanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; and Mr. Nguyen Huu Luc, Chairman of the Van Chan Commune People’s Committee

The workshop then proceeded with technical presentations from policymakers, local leaders, agricultural experts, green technology specialists, cultural scholars, historians, and leading agribusiness representatives.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc emphasized that Shan Tuyet tea possesses solid historical, scientific, and culinary-art foundations to be recognized as a “national representative tea brand.” He underscored that development and preservation efforts are not only the responsibility of Suoi Giang but a national mandate. Management agencies, he noted, should position the development of Vietnam’s Shan Tuyet tea as a strategic priority, enabling the tea tree to rise to its rightful value and status. This would provide a basis for Suoi Giang to define its position within the map of Vietnam’s Shan Tuyet heritage.

Mr. Le Huy Cuong, Executive Committee Member of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Association, Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment

Mr. Le Huy Cuong, from the Vietnam Heritage Tree Association and VACNE, noted that Shan Tuyet tea trees grow scattered along mountain slopes, creating distinctive landscapes, attracting tourists, and generating significant income for local residents. To conserve and develop this heritage, he recommended establishing a conservation strategy, zoning tea-growing areas, developing tourism infrastructure, and establishing a heritage management unit. Collaboration among authorities, communities, and producers is essential, particularly in standardizing harvesting procedures, protecting the 400 heritage trees, and promoting cultural values.

Mr. Phan Viet Dai of Vietnam National University of Forestry introduced a method for determining the age of Shan Tuyet tea trees by analyzing growth rings without harming the plant

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology, presented key technologies used in Shan Tuyet tea production, including de-enzyming, cold drying/freeze drying/spray drying, extraction of concentrated tea, isolation of bioactive compounds, and microbial fermentation

Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa, Director of the Suoi Giang Cooperative, shared successes in applying modern technology in tea production. The cooperative processes an average of five tons of finished tea per year, covering a range from affordable to premium product lines. Notably, the Tuyet Son Tra Suoi Giang brand has strengthened its presence not only in domestic markets but also in demanding markets such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, presented on technological innovation and standardization of Shan Tuyet tea products

Mr. Nguyen Cong Han, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dragon Tea Suoi Giang Joint Stock Company, shared his views at the Workshop

Dragon Tea Suoi Giang Joint Stock Company was recognized as an enterprise consistently engaged in community initiatives, particularly in programs coordinated with local authorities for the conservation and development of Suoi Giang’s ancient Shan Tuyet tea. Its participation in the 2025 Shan Tuyet Tea Festival reaffirmed its long-term commitment to preserving and promoting the value of the ancient tea region.

Mr. Hoang Vinh Long, Chairman of the Vietnam Tea Association, proposed four integrated solutions for sustainable development and value enhancement of Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea, with the goal of establishing it as a national brand: brand positioning based on indigenous values; developing value chains linked with cultural–ecotourism; applying science and technology; and strengthening multi-dimensional linkages and brand governance

Dr. Do Minh Ha, Vietnam National University–Hanoi, affirmed that Shan Tuyet tea is considered a reservoir of valuable natural compounds beneficial to human health

Dr. Vu The Long, Vietnam Folk Culture Association, proposed linking Shan Tuyet tea development with eco-cultural tourism initiatives

Ms. Lam Dieu Linh, Chairwoman of Viet Cultural Media JSC, stated that the global market is rapidly shifting toward green standards, organic products, and traceability. Ancient tea is rare and highly valuable, aligning with international consumption trends. She noted that this is a “golden opportunity” to elevate ancient Shan Tuyet tea as a symbol of Vietnam’s green agriculture

Ms. Hoang Thi Hanh, Former Deputy Minister and Vice Chairwoman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, emphasized that the insights shared during the workshop help shape the development pathway for Shan Tuyet tea and recommended establishing a Shan Tuyet Tea Museum in Suoi Giang

As part of the event, Agriculture and Environment Magazine launched its Agricultural Tourism Publication and donated 200 copies to the Van Chan Commune People’s Committee to support communications and promote the image of Suoi Giang and its Shan Tuyet tea culture. The publication highlights local identity, promotes sustainable tourism models, and connects regional agricultural products with domestic and foreign visitors.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Agriculture and Environment Magazine presented the Agricultural Tourism Magazine to the Workshop participants

When communications, local government, and businesses join hands, the ancient Shan Tuyet tea tree becomes not only a symbol of pride for the highlands but also an emblem of Vietnam’s green, sustainable, and globally integrated agriculture.