Embarking on a journey to bring tea culture to the world.

VHO - On the evening of December 19th, at Vo Nguyen Giap Square (Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen), the "Thai Nguyen Tea Festival" officially opened, affirming the position of Vietnamese tea culture associated with sustainable development and international integration.

The opening ceremony of Thai Nguyen's renowned tea festival celebrates Vietnamese tea culture.

Attending the opening ceremony were General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense ; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan; Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, along with leaders of various ministries and agencies.

The event was also attended by Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of UNESCO's Representative Office in Vietnam, representatives from diplomatic agencies and international organizations, as well as many artisans, businesses, and tea-growing communities from various tea-growing regions.

The ceremony also attracted a large number of locals, tourists, and delegations from both domestic and international sources, creating an atmosphere of convergence between Vietnamese tea traditions and the spirit of international cultural integration and dialogue.

Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang attended the opening ceremony of the festival.

As the largest-scale tea culture event ever held in Thai Nguyen, the festival aims to honor the tea plant and Vietnamese tea culture, expand international connections and cooperation, and develop tourism and creative economy linked to heritage.

The opening ceremony featured artistic performances, tea culture demonstrations, and a reenactment of the historical depth, cultivation knowledge, and strong sense of community of tea growers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province, Vuong Quoc Tuan, emphasized that tea plants not only provide livelihoods but are also a cultural symbol closely associated with the history, life, and identity of the region.

"The festival marks the beginning of the process of preparing the dossier on Vietnamese Tea Culture to be submitted to UNESCO, aiming to preserve heritage while developing tourism, creative economy, and enhancing the status of Vietnamese tea," the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said.

According to provincial leaders, Thai Nguyen identifies the tea-growing community as the central entity of the heritage, while strengthening the collaboration of businesses and scientists in preserving, practicing, and transmitting tea knowledge.

Mr. Vuong Quoc Tuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the festival.

Delegates attending the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of UNESCO's Representative Office in Vietnam, praised Thai Nguyen tea as a vibrant cultural practice, embodying the knowledge, diligence, and pride of the local community.

"Each cup of Thai Nguyen tea embodies the spirit of the land, the subtlety of the water, and the soul of the people, connecting communities, generations, and opening up dialogue with the world," the UNESCO representative further shared.

According to UNESCO, cultural heritage needs not only to be preserved but also to be practiced in daily life, thereby inspiring innovation, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and enhancing the resilience of communities.

UNESCO highly appreciates Thai Nguyen's efforts in spreading tea culture through festivals, considering this an important foundation for considering including knowledge of tea cultivation and processing in the List of Good Practices for the Protection of Heritage.

The Thai Nguyen Tea Festival, with its fragrant and exquisite teas, not only honors a distinctive product but also affirms that tea culture is a driving force for development, community cohesion, nurturing identity, and opening the door to integration.

From the festival space, the journey to bring Vietnamese tea culture to the world is launched with the core values ​​of traditional knowledge, the role of the community as the main actors, and the aspiration for sustainable development of Thai Nguyen province.

Some photos from the opening ceremony of the Thai Nguyen Festival of Fragrant and Famous Teas.

The tea culture space displays products from various units and cooperatives in the province.

Many people came to visit and enjoy products made from tea plants.

The spectacular and eye-catching cultural performances attracted a large crowd of people to watch.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/mo-hanh-trinh-dua-van-hoa-tra-ra-the-gioi-190148.html