Spreading Hanoi culture through lotus tea.

VHO - Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital city, there is a woman who quietly chooses to "preserve" Hanoi with the gentle fragrance of lotus in each cup of tea. Without fanfare or ostentation, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong brings lotus tea to visitors as an invitation to slow down and more deeply appreciate the refined beauty of the culture of the imperial city.

The person who "invited" the scent of lotus flowers into the heart of Hanoi.

Within the ancient grounds of Ho Van (Temple of Literature - National University), a place preserving the essence of millennia of scholarship, there is a small corner always subtly scented with lotus flowers. There, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong quietly brews lotus tea, raising a cup and offering it to tourists for free.

Artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong has over 10 years of experience in infusing tea with West Lake lotus flowers.

Driven by her love for Hanoi's cultural heritage, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong chose to spread the fragrance of lotus tea to the community in her own unique way.

At cultural events, she sets up a free tea tasting booth, introducing visitors and the public to the tea culture of Thang An, transforming each cup of tea into a "cultural story".

From the Temple of Literature to programs organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports , the Department of Tourism, and city festivals, she personally prepares, brews, and offers free tea to both domestic and international tourists.

"I'm not selling teacups, because I want visitors to remember Hanoi not only through vermicelli and pho, but also through the elegant, refined, and fragrant culture of lotus tea."

Few people know that behind those elegant cups of tea lies a long and dedicated journey of hard work. From selecting the tea and lotus flowers, to the exquisite infusion techniques, and arranging the tea table to reflect the essence of Vietnamese culture, everything is carefully and meticulously done by her own hands.

Every day, many tourists visiting Ho Van Lake stop by Trinh Nuong's tea space.

Ms. Nuong's tea table is simple yet refined, rustic yet incredibly elegant and spotless. Her respect for traditional culture is further demonstrated in the smallest details, as all the tea-making utensils are traditional Vietnamese products.

Regardless of scorching sun or pouring rain, she persistently stands there, proudly inviting international guests to sip fragrant lotus tea, enjoy it with peanut candy, or savor a traditional Vietnamese rice cake made with her own hands.

Sharing her feelings after being offered tea by Ms. Nuong, Ms. Juli from Ukraine said: "The tea is very light, delicate, and not at all as strong as we usually imagine tea to be."

The scent of lotus brings a feeling of relaxation and balance, especially when enjoyed in such a peaceful setting. This is not just a drink, but also a very enjoyable experience. We are truly happy and grateful to have come to Hanoi.”

Juli and her husband enjoyed West Lake lotus tea at the tea house of artisan Nguyen Thi Truong Nuong.

From "heartfelt intentions" to a cup of lotus tea

Before venturing into tea, artisan Trinh Nuong studied finance and had her own career. However, her love for Hanoi and its traditional cultural values ​​led her to change direction. Not coming from a traditional craft village and without a mentor, she taught herself step by step, learning tea blending techniques, experimenting, failing, and trying again until she achieved the success she has today.

The technique of infusing tea with lotus is renowned for its meticulousness, involving a process of "seven infusions and seven dryings" to ensure the tea leaves fully absorb the fragrance of "lotus rice." But for Ms. Nuong, beyond the technique, it's the heart of the tea maker that matters. Because, "Lotus tea is not just a product, but embodies the character of the people of Hanoi, representing elegance, perseverance, and sophistication," Ms. Nuong shared.

West Lake lotus tea - a specialty of Hanoi people.

According to Ms. Nuong, a cup of lotus tea is also a journey of many layers of value, from the land, the water, the efforts of the lotus growers and tea makers, to the emotions of the person enjoying it. The initial bitterness on the tongue, followed by a sweet aftertaste, is like the journey of life, full of hardships at first, then peace later.

She recounted an encounter with a young person at an event. While enjoying tea, the young person suddenly burst into tears. For her, that was the clearest evidence of the value of lotus tea, not just for drinking, but also for experiencing.

Because in each cup of lotus tea, behind the flavor lies a space of tranquility, slowness, and shared stories. When people are calm enough to sit down, sip a cup of tea, and listen to themselves, emotions that seemed forgotten can be awakened. And in that very moment, lotus tea becomes a way for people to connect with their inner selves.

When a cup of tea becomes a mission

Not content with simply making delicious tea, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong harbors a dream of making lotus tea a distinctive cultural symbol of Hanoi in the eyes of international friends. This is also the reason she decided to offer free tea to tourists.

Instead of traveling abroad or holding exhibitions far away, she chose to start right where she lives, where tourists come to. "Bringing Vietnamese culture to the world sometimes just starts with a cup of tea right here in Hanoi," she said.

Images of foreign tourists visiting Ms. Nuong's tea display area at Ho Van - Van Mieu.

To create this space for cultural exchange, Ms. Nuong also expressed her deep gratitude to the Board of Directors of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam for opening a small, elegant corner at Ho Van Lake so that traditional cultural values ​​can be more readily available to the public.

“The management of the Temple of Literature has created a beautiful and clean space not only for me but also for many other artisans to showcase our culture. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to bring lotus tea closer to visitors in such a meaningful space,” Ms. Nuong shared.

It is this companionship that has helped transform tea-drinking experiences from personal enjoyment into a shared cultural space, where everyone who visits can slow down, listen, and feel more deeply about Hanoi.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/lan-toa-van-hoa-ha-noi-tu-tra-sen-217158.html