Developing specialty teas - There is still much room for growth.

With nearly 24,000 hectares after the merger, Thai Nguyen continues to maintain its position as the number one tea producer in the country. In the first six months of the year, the province's tea revenue reached approximately 14.5 trillion VND, 1.1 trillion VND higher than the whole year of 2024. This spectacular breakthrough is largely due to the development of specialty teas. Aiming to develop tea into a "billion-dollar" crop, specialty teas continue to be chosen as a key investment focus.

Introducing mechanization into production contributes to improving the productivity and quality of tea products.

Famous specialty tea regions

Thai Nguyen is known as the "Number One Tea" region, with many famous specialty tea areas that have been renowned for decades, even centuries. Among them, Tan Cuong has a 100-year history of tea cultivation, being the "origin" of Thai Nguyen tea. With over 1,000 hectares of tea plantations, Tan Cuong has the largest area of ​​specialty tea in the province.

Unlike tea from many other places, Tan Cang tea has a delicate aroma and a rich flavor. When brewed, the tea has a clear green color, a slightly astringent taste on the tip of the tongue, a sweet aftertaste in the throat, and this sweet, fragrant aftertaste lingers on the lips of the tea drinker.

From a scientific perspective, tea researchers have studied, experimented, and explained that the reason tea grown, cultivated, and harvested in Xinjiang is so delicious is because the effective heat radiation in this region is lower than in other areas.

According to Mr. Duong Son Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Tan Cuong tea is now not only a famous brand domestically but has also become one of Vietnam's products that has conquered foreign markets.

With over 60 years of tea production, La Bang is one of the four tea-producing regions in Thai Nguyen that yield high-quality, high-yield tea products. After the merger of Hoang Nong and La Bang communes, the tea-growing area of ​​La Bang currently covers approximately 800 hectares.

Introducing mechanization into production has contributed to improving the productivity and quality of tea products for the people of Thai Nguyen.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thep, former Secretary of the Party Committee of La Bang commune, said: "Nourished by the cool spring water originating from the Tam Dao mountain range, La Bang tea has a very unique flavor. When brewed, the water shimmers with a honey-like color. Bringing the cup to your lips and taking a small sip, the aroma spreads in your mouth, and the sweetness lingers in your throat. Those who have ever drunk La Bang tea will forever remember its rich flavor, carrying the love of the land and people of this place."

Besides Tan Cuong and La Bang, Thai Nguyen also has specialty tea growing areas such as Trai Cai (Dong Hy) and Khe Coc (Vo Tranh), covering an area of ​​over 1,000 hectares. While Trai Cai tea has a distinctive aroma reminiscent of roasted rice, Khe Coc tea is distinguished by its uniform, long, and light-colored tea leaves. When brewed, Khe Coc tea produces a clear green liquid with a slightly astringent taste blended with a captivating sweetness.

With a long-standing tradition, these tea-growing regions are renowned nationwide for their specialty teas such as bud tea, shrimp bud tea, and hook-shaped tea. Consequently, tea prices in these specialty tea regions are higher than in many other areas of the province, averaging from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/kg for hook-shaped tea; shrimp bud tea sells for around 1 million VND/kg; and bud tea sells for 2 to 5 million VND/kg.

Specialty tea has brought a more prosperous and comfortable life to the people. However, further development of specialty tea growing areas in the province still requires the efforts of both the government and the people.

There is no shortage of potential for making specialty teas.

On the path to conquering the "billion-dollar" mark, specialty tea is considered one of the key strategies for building the brand of Thai Nguyen tea and Vietnamese tea. Accordingly, the province is linking the development of specialty tea growing areas with the production of safe tea, meeting organic and VietGAP standards, and ensuring food safety.

Mr. Nguyen Ta, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said: "The soil in Thai Nguyen is of good quality and has a high content of micronutrients, which is a favorable condition for tea plants to yield high productivity and quality. Along with the hilly terrain, the high rainfall, humidity, and air temperature in Thai Nguyen are also very suitable for tea cultivation. Therefore, not only Tan Cuong, La Bang, Khe Coc, and Trai Cai, but many tea-growing areas in the province can develop into specialty tea regions with proper investment and attention."

By diligently practicing intensive tea cultivation, production, and processing, the Song Cau tea region (now part of Dong Hy commune) has built a nationwide brand.

Mr. Ta's observation is well-founded, as in the last 5 years, many other tea-growing regions in the province have built their own brands and created specialty tea products that delight tea connoisseurs.

For example, in the Song Cau tea growing area (formerly part of Song Cau town, now Dong Hy commune), by introducing Japanese and hybrid tea varieties into production and actively cultivating tea to meet organic standards, hundreds of households here have successfully built the Song Cau tea brand, with dried tea buds selling for up to 500,000 VND/kg, and some types selling for over 1 million VND/kg.

Similarly, the people of Van Han commune have successfully built a brand for their local tea. Now, Van Han tea is available in provinces and cities throughout the country.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, a tea producer in Tien Phong hamlet, Van Han commune, shared: "Thanks to actively investing in intensive tea cultivation according to VietGAP standards, my family has built a reputation with customers. Currently, our tea products have become a specialty item chosen by many customers in Hanoi, Hai Phong, etc., as gifts during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year). As a result, the price of our tea has doubled compared to before (from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/kg)."

In fact, Thai Nguyen still has enormous potential for producing specialty tea. Almost every tea-growing region in the province has the potential to build a specialty tea brand and enhance the value of the tea crop. This is especially true now that the province has implemented mechanisms and policies to support farmers with seedlings, fertilizers, certification of organic and VietGAP standards, and the issuance of planting area codes, etc.

However, besides provincial support, the seriousness of tea producers is crucial. Only when tea producers dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to this crop, investing time and effort from planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing, and applying science and technology to production, will the resulting product be of guaranteed quality, becoming a specialty favored by the market and commanding higher prices.

Resolution No. 11, dated February 3, 2025, of the Provincial Party Committee sets the goal that by 2030, 70% of the province's tea growing area will be certified as producing according to GAP and organic standards; 70% of the tea growing area will be granted planting area codes; and 100% of tea production, processing, and trading establishments and those dealing in tea products will comply with food safety regulations.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/phat-trien-che-dac-san-du-dia-con-nhieu-7301887/