Elevating the quality of Tan Cuong tea products.

Tan Cang boasts unique climatic and soil conditions, combined with the traditional farming experience and techniques of its people, resulting in the distinctive flavor of its tea products, which are highly favored by consumers. In recent years, the increasingly proactive participation of cooperatives has contributed to bringing Tan Cang tea into a new phase of development, focusing on deep processing and linking production with community tourism.

Tourists enjoy the experience at a tea plantation in Tan Cuong commune.

The imprint of cooperatives

During our recent field trip to Xinjiang, we observed the increasingly prominent role of cooperatives in organizing production and building the local tea brand. The entire commune currently has approximately 20 cooperatives operating effectively in the fields of tea cultivation, care, and processing. Through regional raw material linkages, technological innovation, and market expansion, these cooperatives have formed a relatively complete production, processing, and consumption chain.

Hao Dat Tea Cooperative is one of the pioneering units in linking production and developing a line of deeply processed tea products.

Currently, the cooperative manages approximately 62 hectares of tea plantations, with investments in a factory system and a closed production line. As a result, the unit supplies the market with many high-quality tea varieties such as bud tea, hook-shaped tea, and shrimp-shaped tea; including two products that have achieved OCOP 5-star and one product that has achieved OCOP 4-star.

For many years, Hao Dat Tea Cooperative has maintained its raw material production area according to VietGAP standards, while also applying software for managing the growing area, an automated timekeeping system, and QR codes for traceability. Therefore, the cooperative's products have stable quality, meet food safety requirements, and have built a strong reputation in the market.

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

From traditional tea hills to community -based tourism products.

In Hong Thai 2 hamlet, the Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative is a prime example of linking tea production with experiential tourism development. Alongside the lush green tea hills, the cooperative has invested in the Tien Yen Farmstay model, which includes nearly 1,000 meters of concrete roads around the tea hills, a lake, wooden bridges, rest shelters, an experiential area, and a community house.

The accommodations are designed to harmonize with the landscape, creating an attractive focal point for guests. During peak season, the farmstay welcomes thousands of visitors who come to explore and purchase tea products.

The cooperative currently manages 3 hectares of tea plantations and collaborates with local people to cultivate over 30 hectares of raw material area, of which 5 hectares are certified organic, and the remaining area is produced according to VietGAP standards. This collaborative model helps maintain a stable supply of raw materials while creating additional livelihoods for participating people.

Mr. Bui Trong Dai, Director of Tien Yen Community Tea and 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 local people to participate according to a unified process, ensuring service quality and sustainable development.

Tan Cang tea products have attracted the attention and affection of foreign tourists.

Following the direction of linking production with tourism, Hao Dat Tea Cooperative also invested in a tea tasting space combined with product display, allowing tourists to observe the processing process and enjoy tea on-site. Although varying in scale, all models aim for the common goal of enhancing the value of tea through hands-on experience and increasing the attractiveness of community tourism.

Ms. Dao Thanh Hao added: The cooperative is completing facilities to serve tourists such as a tea tasting area, sightseeing routes, and rest stops on the tea hills, aiming to build a friendly destination where tourists can fully appreciate the cultural values ​​and beauty of the long-standing tea-growing region.

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

Tan Cang currently has about 1,000 hectares of tea plantations, mostly cultivated using safe farming practices, creating a stable supply of raw materials for processing facilities. Tea cultivation is not only the main livelihood of the people but also a distinctive cultural feature of the locality. In this context, cooperatives play a crucial role in enhancing the value and building the brand of Tan Cang tea.

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

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

In the context of increasingly demanding market conditions, the support of the government and the leading role of cooperatives will continue to be important driving forces, contributing to enhancing the value of tea and promoting the socio-economic development of the locality.

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