This is a major event not only in terms of international relations but also affirms the position of Vietnamese tea in domestic and foreign markets.
Tea, a traditional family drink typical of Asia; in Vietnam, tea is ranked as a national drink. This product not only brings economic benefits to countries with tea potential but also creates a warm fire in every Vietnamese family. Tea brings together many quintessential flavors from nature: sweet, rich, bitter, astringent like a lifetime of experience.
Diplomatic tea table of Huong B'Lao tea room
PHOTO: TGCC
The festival program will culminate in early December, where a diplomatic tea table will be held with the participation of many countries. This large-scale event reminds me of the last time I accompanied a Swiss sociologist to Bao Loc to learn about the tea culture of the local people. Because of the advance notice, I was fortunate to meet Mr. Tran Dai Binh (born in 1975), a genuine Bao Loc intellectual and businessman, founder of the Tea Club and Chairman of the Bao Loc Tea Association.
Social tea table
PHOTO: TGCC
The Club's diplomatic tea table is placed in a solemn position, where guests can sit and enjoy a view of the tea growing area and Dai Binh mountain. Here, they can listen to explanations in both English and Vietnamese about tea culture, the soul of the land and the people of Bao Loc, a magical land that not all long-time settlers know the full history of ups and downs from 1920 to the present.
In front of the tea room, there is a sign in Vietnamese "A place to show gratitude". Looking at the affectionate phrase, I paused for a few seconds and then asked Mr. Binh: "Why should we show gratitude to strangers?". The owner explained: "Experiencing the tea culture here, in addition to seeing the traditional tea-making ceremony with our own eyes, we can also discover the flavors of 6 types of Vietnamese tea: white tea, black tea, green tea, scented tea, oolong tea and pu-erh tea (blocked tea). Sipping tea according to each flavor, we must always remember the ancestors who walked barefoot to open the land, they shed sweat, tears, and lives to preserve the country so that the next generation can sit leisurely and enjoy tea in peace . Therefore, we must show gratitude to our ancestors, the predecessors who have preserved and developed the profession for hundreds of years".
When I translated it into English for Dr. Laurent, he stared at the sign and covered his face..., then proactively shook hands with the homeowner, who bears the name of the Dai Binh mountain range, where the image of the land and people of Bao Loc is located.
Foreign guests at Huong B'Lao tea room
PHOTO: TGCC
For foreign visitors, they really like to see how to enjoy tea through the Vietnamese brewing movements in order: from awakening the tea set, awakening the soul of tea, then awakening the heart before going into tea discussion in the style of making friends before doing business. At the same time, through the smoke of incense and the soul of tea, they discover the mystery of a nation with a long history of building and defending the country, today wanting to be friends with all countries in the world with the policy of mutual benefit.
I remember last month, sitting down for a tea chat with Mr. Roberto, 32 years old, a Japanese-Brazilian, a PhD student with a research topic on Vietnamese tea culture. He confided: "Over the tea table there are flowers, tea, wine, symbols of essence, energy, spirit... Thank you Vietnamese tea, thank you Club, the place that spreads the scent of tea in Bao Loc."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/noi-lan-toa-huong-tra-o-blao-185251129120517118.htm
Comment (0)