The art of tea drinking spreads Vietnamese cultural identity and traditional values

A multicultural event took place over the weekend in Toronto - one of the most vibrant places in Canada, in which the Vietnamese community here chose to perform the art of tea drinking and brought to the tea table the Moon Dan, a symbol of the intersection between art and Vietnamese tradition, contributing to creating different cultural colors in this multi-ethnic city.

The art of tea drinking contributes to spreading traditional values and Vietnamese cultural identity. (Photo created by AI)

This year's Wellington Multicultural Festival attracted 12 international cultural communities, including the Canada-Vietnam Cultural and Education Council (CVCEC) in collaboration with Song Hy Tra representing the Vietnamese community with a Dan Nguyet tea table and a tea art performance by artist Nguyen Ngoc Tuan.

Artisan Nguyen Ngoc Tuan - Owner of Song Hy Tra brand - said that Vietnam is proud to be one of the cradles, the birthplace of tea trees in the world . Tea culture as well as tea trees have been closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese people for a long time and Mr. Tuan wishes to bring Vietnamese tea culture to the world to invite everyone to know about the culture with a long history and many beautiful features preserved to this day.

Tea is a drink found in many countries, but Vietnamese people enjoy tea in a very unique way. The image of a tea cup in each house reflects the unique, simple way of drinking tea that has been passed down from ancient times to the present day and cannot be found in any other country.

The traditional way of enjoying tea of Vietnamese people is simple and rustic. The cup of tea is shown as a bridge, connecting family affection, neighborly affection and furthermore, friendship between communities or countries.

Mr. Daniel, a visitor to the Vietnamese booth at the festival, sipped a cup of hot tea and commented that the taste was very light, not sweet, but had a natural scent of bamboo and earth. He affirmed that it was wonderful to enjoy such a drink.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Marry said that the tea tasted very special, fresh and refreshing. She really enjoyed the experience of drinking tea with Vietnamese mung bean cake, because “these two specialties create a very unique flavor. It has a nutty taste and then the refreshing taste of tea, it is really delicious and wonderful”.

The cup of tea has truly become a bridge, helping Canadian friends or visitors attending the Wellington Multicultural Festival better understand the customs and practices of the Vietnamese people. Through the cup of tea, Vietnamese tea leaves will tell their own story, about the tea-growing lands, about the people who have devoted their whole lives to tea trees, and this story partly reflects the beauty of Vietnamese culture. The aroma of tea leaves becomes an attractive invitation to visit Vietnam for international friends.

There are 6 elements that create a perfect Vietnamese tea-drinking session: “first water, second tea, third brewing, fourth teapot, fifth music and sixth house”. The word “house” here means the space for tea-drinking and the tea table is a very important part. The tea table is modeled after the shape of a Moon-shaped lute, which also evokes the element of “music” and creates elegance in tea-drinking.

According to artisan Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, the Moon Lute is a traditional musical instrument of the Vietnamese people. It represents the Moon-shaped tea table and also represents the style of the gentleman. With tea drinking, we can combine the fifth element, "five mountains", in it. The Moon Lute tea table carries the spirit of elegant tea drinking of the Vietnamese people.

This year’s Wellington Multicultural Festival marks the first time the Vietnamese community in Canada has contributed their voice to a sophisticated multicultural exchange space. The tea art performance and the distinctive tea table image have become a spiritual symbol of the Vietnamese people, contributing to affirming cultural identity and spreading the traditional values of our country to the world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nghe-thuat-thuong-tra-lan-toa-ban-sac-van-hoa-gia-tri-truyen-thong-viet-nam-321634.html