The journey of picking ancient tea trees of the H'mong ethnic group

The journey of picking ancient tea trees of the H'mong ethnic group is a unique cultural feature in the mountainous provinces of Northern Vietnam, where there are old Shan Tuyet tea forests such as Ta Xua (Son La), Suoi Giang (Yen Bai) and Ha Giang. This is not only a livelihood but also a part of the sacred heritage associated with their spiritual life.

The Hmong people often start their tea picking journey early in the morning, when dew still lingers on each tea bud. This is the ideal time for the tea to retain its freshness and quintessential flavor. The ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees grow naturally on high mountain slopes, some of which are 5-10 meters tall, with trunks as big as an adult’s arm, covered with moss and lichen.

Shan Tuyet tea tree is not only a crop but also considered a treasure of the mountains and forests . For the H'mong people, each tea tree has a soul. Harvesting is not simply labor but also a ritual of respecting the gift that nature has given. In some places such as Suoi Giang ( Yen Bai ), people also hold an annual ceremony to worship the ancestral tea tree to give thanks and pray for a bountiful harvest.