Elevating Tan Cuong tea products

Tan Cuong is a land of unique climate and soil conditions, combined with the experience and traditional farming techniques of the people, creating a unique flavor for tea products, favored by consumers. In recent years, the increasingly proactive participation of cooperatives has contributed to bringing Tan Cuong tea to a new stage of development, focusing on deep processing and linking production with community tourism.

Tourists experience a tea hill in Tan Cuong commune.

The imprint of cooperatives

During our recent field trip to Tan Cuong, we noted the increasingly prominent role of cooperatives in organizing production and building local tea brands. The entire commune currently has about 20 cooperatives operating effectively in the field of tea planting, care and processing. Through linking raw material areas, technological innovation and market expansion, cooperatives have formed a relatively complete production, processing and consumption chain.

Hao Dat Tea Cooperative is one of the pioneers in linking production and developing deep-processed products.

Currently, the Cooperative is managing about 62 hectares of tea, invested in a system of factories and a closed production line. Thanks to that, the unit supplies the market with many high-quality tea lines such as Dinh tea, Moc Cau tea, Tom Non tea; of which 2 products have achieved 5-star OCOP and one product has achieved 4-star OCOP.

For many years, Hao Dat Tea Cooperative has maintained raw material production areas according to VietGAP standards, while applying growing area management software, automatic timekeeping systems and QR codes for traceability. Therefore, the Cooperative's products have stable quality, meet food safety requirements and have built a reputation in the market.

Ms. Dao Thanh Hao, Director of Hao Dat Tea Cooperative, said: Building a standard raw material area, strictly controlling the production process and promoting deep processing are core strategies to increase product value. Applying technology in the entire production - care - processing cycle helps increase transparency and improve market access.

From traditional tea hills to community tourism products

In Hong Thai 2 hamlet, Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative is a typical model in combining tea production with the development of experiential tourism. Besides the green tea hills, the Cooperative has invested in the Tien Yen Farmstay model, including nearly 1,000m of concrete road around the tea hills, lake, wooden bridge, resting hut, experiential area and community house.

The rooms are designed in harmony with the landscape, creating a highlight to attract guests. During peak season, the farmstay welcomes thousands of visitors to visit and shop for tea products.

The Cooperative currently manages 3 hectares of tea and has partnered with local people to grow more than 30 hectares of raw material areas, of which 5 hectares are certified organic, the remaining area is produced according to VietGAP standards. The partnership model helps maintain a stable source of raw materials, while creating additional livelihoods for participating people.

Mr. Bui Trong Dai, Director of Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative, shared: The development of community tourism brings additional income from experiential services and on-site product consumption. The cooperative plays a coordinating role, guiding people to participate according to a unified process, ensuring service quality and sustainable development.

Tan Cuong tea products receive attention and love from foreign tourists.

Following the orientation of combining production with tourism, Hao Dat Tea Cooperative also invested in a space for tea enjoyment combined with product display, allowing visitors to observe the processing process and enjoy tea on the spot. Although the scale is different, the models all aim at the common goal of enhancing the value of tea trees through practical experiences and increasing the attractiveness of community tourism.

Ms. Dao Thanh Hao added: The cooperative is completing tourist service items such as tea tasting area, sightseeing routes and stops on the tea hills, aiming to build a friendly destination where tourists can fully experience the cultural value and beauty of the long-standing tea region.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a tourist from To Hieu ward ( Son La province), shared: Directly visiting and experiencing the cooperatives has helped everyone better understand why Tan Cuong tea is highly appreciated and loved in the market.

Tan Cuong currently has about 1,000 hectares of tea, most of which are produced in a safe manner, creating a stable source of raw materials for processing facilities. Tea is not only the main livelihood of the people, but also a unique cultural feature of the locality. In particular, cooperatives play an important role in enhancing the value and building the Tan Cuong tea brand.

Mr. Dong Duc Phuong, Vice Chairman of Tan Cuong Commune People's Committee, said: Cooperatives are playing a leading role in improving the quality and affirming the local tea brand. In the coming time, the local government will focus on implementing the planning work well, aiming to expand the tea area to 2,000 hectares; at the same time, effectively integrating support resources from the province's programs to maximize the potential of the tea area, creating a driving force to promote the local economy .

With the professional participation of cooperatives, Tan Cuong tea is gradually asserting its position in the domestic and foreign markets. Expanding safe raw material areas, promoting deep processing and linking production with community tourism create a sustainable development direction for tea plants.

In the context of increasing market demand, the support of the government and the leading role of cooperatives will continue to be important driving forces, contributing to increasing the value of tea trees and promoting local socio-economic development.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202512/nang-tam-san-pham-che-tan-cuong-3d04426/