Hybrid tea – the soul of the countryside in a refreshing glass of water.

I just smiled and gently corrected him: "No, it's hybrid tea, a unique and distinctly Southern Vietnamese drink."

The name originates from the "hybrid" brewing method – a combination of two seemingly unrelated drinks: tea and coffee. This seemingly unusual blend creates a unique, rustic, rich, and distinctive flavor, much like the people of this region.

Ly trà lai ở miền Tây Nam bộ — Hybrid tea in the Southwestern region of Vietnam

A truly authentic cup of mixed-variety tea is quite simple to make: strong brewed tea, plenty of sugar, and a sweet, distinctly Western Vietnamese flavor. Just like the saying goes: "People from the West eat everything sweet, so their conversation is as sweet as sugarcane!"

Next, finely crushed ice is tightly packed to keep the tea cold for longer without diluting it. Finally, a layer of strong, brewed coffee is poured on top, creating a powerful finish to the flavor combination.

At this point, the drink is divided into three layers: sweet tea at the bottom, ice in the middle, and coffee on top. The drinker stirs it to blend the layers together, and the liquid turns a shimmering amber color, indicating it's "brewed correctly." Taking a sip, the delicate tea flavor, the rich coffee taste, and the tingling coolness on the tongue blend together.

On a sweltering summer afternoon, a simple cup of mixed tea is enough to cool you down. But for those from the Mekong Delta, it also evokes childhood memories: afternoons after school stopping at roadside stalls, breaks during harvest season, or peaceful country evenings under simple thatched roofs.

Today, amidst a plethora of trendy beverages, hybrid tea quietly remains present in roadside tea stalls, street vendors' carts, and in the memories of many who have left their homeland. It's not fancy, it doesn't need a brand name, but it embodies the simple, sincere spirit of home.

If you ever have the chance to visit the Mekong Delta, don't just glance over the small roadside tea stalls. Stop, order a cup of mixed-ingredient tea to enjoy this simple yet flavorful drink, and feel the sweetness and authenticity of the Southern land.

( Entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest, part of the 3rd "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program, 2025, organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).