"Packaging" the tea flavor in bamboo tubes.

Amidst the vast forests of Phiêng Phung, Đồng Phúc commune (Thái Nguyên province), ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees silently stretch their branches through the mist, absorbing the essence of the earth and sky. And it is there that a Dao ethnic girl chose to return to her village, embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with the flavors of her homeland. From these ancient tea leaves, she created the unique product "Shan Tuyet Tea in Bamboo Tubes," imbued with the spirit of the mountains and forests, blending tradition with modernity.

Ms. Dang Thi Dat (on the left) is harvesting tea leaves from ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees.

The dream of starting a business from the fragrance of ancient tea trees.

Born and raised in the Dao village of Phiêng Phung, Đặng Thị Dất's (born in 1996) childhood was filled with trips to the forest to pick tea leaves with her family. Shan snow tea in Phiêng Phung has a history spanning hundreds of years; the tea plants are so large that it takes two people to embrace them, the leaves are covered in a layer of white snow-like down, and the sweet, rich flavor is unforgettable.

But for many years, this "green gold" has remained confined to the villages, not yet becoming a marketable commodity or providing a stable source of income for the people.

"In the old days, tea leaves were harvested and processed manually, then stored in the kitchen for later use, and sold at the market for a few tens of thousands of dong per kilogram. Everyone worked hard, and remained poor year-round," said Ms. Dang Thi Dat.

After getting married, Ms. Dang Thi Dat decided to return to her hometown to find a way out of poverty by cultivating Shan Tuyet tea. She and her husband boldly borrowed 100 million VND from the Social Policy Bank to open a small production workshop, buying roasting and rolling machines, and investing in a more systematic processing method.

Every step, from harvesting and processing the tea leaves to rolling and preserving them, is meticulously learned and followed by her to ensure the full flavor of the mountain forest is preserved.

Once the product was perfected, she didn't stop at selling to traders, but quickly grasped the new trend, bringing Shan Tuyet tea to e-commerce platforms, building Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok channels to livestream sales and share her entrepreneurial journey.

The green tea tubes are left above the wood-burning stove for a certain period of time so that the tea dries and absorbs the smoky flavor of the kitchen.

Ms. Dang Thi Dat shared: "Just tell the truth, speak from the heart, and customers will trust and love the product." And indeed, from the simple videos of the Dao girl amidst the mountains and clouds, her Shan Tuyet tea product has transcended the village, finding a place in the hearts of consumers in the lowlands.

At the end of 2023, recognizing the potential of the ancient tea trees in her hometown, Ms. Dang Thi Dat boldly established the Binh An Green Agricultural Cooperative, bringing together many local young people and women to participate in production and processing.

The cooperative focuses on improving techniques and diversifying products: Shan Tuyet tea (1 bud 1 leaf, 1 bud 2 leaves), white tea, black tea, and especially smoked tea. All are processed from organic raw materials, without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Thanks to the cooperative, many households have stable jobs and significantly improved incomes. Ms. Mach Thi Hoai, a tea farmer, shared: “Previously, tea sold at very low prices, and sales were sometimes difficult. Recently, the cooperative has been purchasing tea directly from farmers, and the prices are stable, so people can rest assured and focus on caring for their tea plants, and their lives have clearly improved.”

From a poor rural area, Phieng Phung has been transforming itself, with well-maintained tea plantations, new products being created, and, most importantly, an entrepreneurial spirit spreading throughout the mountains.

From the vast forests - the fragrance of tea travels far.

Ms. Dang Thi Dat (standing in the middle) at the Green Startup Competition held in Hanoi .

The signature product of Ms. Dang Thi Dat is "Bamboo-wrapped tea" - a tea packaged in fresh bamboo tubes, preserving its natural flavor while reflecting the culture of the highlands. This idea came to her during a learning trip to Tuyen Quang province. "I thought, the Dao people have mountains, forests, and bamboo, why not combine them to create something unique?" Ms. Dat recalled.

Shan Tuyet tea, when packed in bamboo tubes, undergoes a natural fermentation process that enhances its flavor, leaving a sweet aftertaste and a delicate aroma. Importantly, the product has a long shelf life and improves with age. Each compact bamboo tube contains 250-300 grams of tea and sells for 120,000-150,000 VND, making it a perfect gift for tourists.

From 2022 to the present, more than 2,000 tubes of smoked tea have been sold on the market. Furthermore, in 2023, Ms. Dang Thi Dat's project, "Processing smoked tea from Shan Tuyet tea," won the Encouragement Prize at the Rural Youth Startup Project Competition of Bac Kan province (formerly), and reached the Final Round of the 9th National Green Startup Project Competition organized by the Business Research and Support Center (BSA).

The "Smoked Green Tea" product by Ms. Dang Thi Dat.

Commenting on Dang Thi Dat, Nguyen Thi Yen, Secretary of the Dong Phuc Commune Youth Union, assessed: "Dang Thi Dat is a young person who dares to think and dares to act. Through her boldness and creativity, she not only successfully started her own business but also contributed to spreading the spirit of striving to overcome poverty among local youth."

In the age of technology and globalization, the story of Dao girl Dang Thi Dat is a testament to a new entrepreneurial spirit: connecting tradition with modern innovation. Shan Tuyet tea in bamboo tubes – a seemingly simple product – encapsulates the soul of the mountains and forests, the skillful hands of Dao women, and the aspirations of the highland youth.

When sipping a cup of tea with its golden hue and subtle aroma reminiscent of kitchen smoke, one not only savors the sweet aftertaste of Shan Tuyet tea but also hears the story of resilience, love for her homeland, and faith in a brighter future of Phieng Phung. For Dang Thi Dat, a Dao woman, tea is not just a beverage, but the soul of the mountains and forests, encapsulated in each bamboo tube, a wish to send to all corners of the country and beyond into the future.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/dat-va-nguoi-thai-nguyen/202510/goi-vi-tra-trong-nhung-ong-lam-5d34e8f/