Delegates engaged in practical discussions on the future of the Suoi Giang tea brand

The seminar was attended by: Ms. Hoang Thi Hanh, Former Deputy Minister and Vice Chair of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, currently Vice Chair of IWEDI’s Advisory Council; Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture and Environment Magazine; IWEC Chairwoman Le Thi Minh Hoa; Dr. Dao Trung Hieu, Standing Vice President of IWEDI; Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha – Vice Chair of Van Chan Commune People’s Committee; Dr. Nguyen Cong Han – Chairman of HYH Group and founder of DragonTea Suoi Giang JSC; Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa – Director of Suoi Giang Cooperative; Mr. Giang A Dang – Former Secretary of the Suoi Giang Commune Party Committee. Also in attendance were local tea producers, traditional artisans, members of the press, agricultural and environmental researchers, and representatives from businesses and research institutions.

The seminar focused on exploring the potential of Suoi Giang’s Shan Tuyet tea in terms of its medicinal, cultural, and economic value. Participants discussed practical ways to build a strong and distinctive brand that reflects local identity and meets quality standards. The event also aimed to strengthen cooperation between policymakers, researchers, businesses, and tea producers to improve the overall capacity for production, processing, and market access, both at home and abroad. In addition, there were suggestions on policy support to help local communities develop sustainable tea-growing areas, promote eco-tourism, and protect the environment.

The seminar also provided an opportunity to hear directly from local tea producers, those who have long preserved and nurtured Shan Tuyet tea trees through generations. These discussions opened up new perspectives on how Vietnam’s agricultural products can combine high quality with unique cultural identity in the context of global integration.

Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture and Environment Magazine, highlighted the media’s role in connecting stakeholders and promoting the Shan Tuyet tea brand both domestically and internationally

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nguyen Cong Han shared insights from his medical work in Suoi Giang. He observed an unusually low cancer rate in the area and linked it to the local custom of drinking Shan Tuyet tea from an early age. He described the tea as a “natural antibiotic” and emphasized the need for scientific research that combines traditional knowledge with modern technology.

Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa, Director of the Suoi Giang Cooperative, emphasized the region’s deep-rooted tea-making tradition and the emotional connection between the people and their tea. “People here don’t just make tea to sell,” she said. “They do it with their hearts. Every bud carries the flavor of the mountains, of memory, and of pride.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Vice Chair of Van Chan Commune People’s Committee, shared local efforts to protect ancient tea trees and support the development of raw material zones linked with ecological tourism. She expressed hope for continued cooperation from the media, businesses, and research organizations in helping Suoi Giang gain broader recognition.

Dr. Dao Trung Hieu proposed creating a documentary film about Shan Tuyet tea — telling its story through the lives of local ethnic communities, the natural beauty of Suoi Giang, and the long-standing efforts to preserve its ancient tea trees. “To bring Suoi Giang tea to the world,” he said, “we must first tell its own story — through images, emotions, and culture.”

Mr. Giang A Dang, former Party Secretary of Suoi Giang Commune, recalled the history of tea cultivation in the area. “Before the 1970s, there were only around 200 hectares of scattered tea trees,” he shared. “Thanks to the perseverance of the local people and the support of the government, Suoi Giang now has over 600 hectares of Shan Tuyet tea — one of the most unique tea-growing areas in the country.”

The event drew strong interest from experts, entrepreneurs, and community representatives

Delegates gathered for a group photo following the seminar

Sy Tung - Viet Anh