I remember the day I sat listening to Hoang Anh Suong tell the story of brewing tea for billionaire Bill Gates on top of Ban Co mountain; suddenly, I understood the unique essence of Vietnamese tea culture.
Mr. Sướng said that at that time, the fog was thick, the clouds drifted lazily below, and the space was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of leaves. Two men, one the richest man in the world , the other a journalist with a deep affection for Vietnamese tea, sat there enjoying tea together.
There was no distance between them due to power or money, only the warmth of West Lake lotus-infused tea, drawing them closer together.
Video : Tea master Hoang Anh Suong shares about tea appreciation and tea meditation.
Reflecting on the path Mr. Sướng has taken, one sees it as leisurely yet profound. From the simple Trường Xuân tea house of his father - the late artisan Trường Xuân - he has carried that warm and genuine spirit everywhere.
It's not about showing off elaborate techniques for boiling water or rinsing teapots, but about conveying mindfulness. He brews tea for royalty, for businessmen, and for the most ordinary people. The way he carefully selects each tender Ta Xua tea bud, the way he cherishes each lotus flower to infuse its fragrance – it's not just a skill, but a heartfelt devotion to national culture.
"Vietnamese tea is truly magnificent," an Arabian prince once exclaimed after a three-hour tea meditation session with Mr. Suong in a small apartment in Hanoi . That magnificence isn't something lofty or extraordinary. It lies in the warm, comforting sip that dispels weariness and worries, in the moment when people set aside their calculations to sit down, smile, and listen to each other.
That's the beauty of tea. Boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius, the bitter tea leaves, yet they soothe the soul. Looking at Mr. Sướng, I suddenly understood that those who preserve the soul of Vietnamese tea need not only skillful hands, but also a heart calm and compassionate enough to pour peace into the bottom of the cup.
With over 25 years of experience with tea, journalist Hoang Anh Suong has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about Vietnamese tea culture and inspiring stories from across the country.
Artist Hoang Anh Suong and the setting for the tea ceremony for billionaire Bill Gates on top of Son Tra mountain (Da Nang) in March 2024.
The tea room at his home has become a meeting place for socializing and connecting tea culture, a gift from Mr. Hoang Anh Suong to his friends both domestically and internationally.
The love for Vietnamese tea, and the love for the country and people of Vietnam, in the hearts of international friends is ignited through tea meditation sessions and stories about tea in Vietnamese life and culture shared by artisan Hoang Anh Suong.
Artisan Hoang Anh Suong frequently travels to many provinces and cities to spread tea culture to organizations, businesses, and other institutions.
"Drinking tea only helps us get closer, understand each other better, and love each other more," he shared.
(Entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest 2026, part of the 4th "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).
Source: https://nld.com.vn/ti-phu-hoang-tu-va-chen-tra-vo-nga-196260325100745414.htm
Comment (0)