Come to the slow-paced tea village of Suong Mai.

(NLĐO) - I used my fingers to pluck a young tea bud, still glistening with morning dew, from the hillside in Suong Mai tea village (Thai Nguyen).

The air was misty and cool. Around them, Japanese exchange students were chatting and laughing. These city kids, accustomed to concrete and steel, were now immersed in the lush green tea hills, their hands awkwardly learning how to pick each bud and leaf. Some timidly brought a tea leaf to their noses to smell it.

Tea master Suong Mai, with her petite figure and simple voice, explained how tea plants grow in the Thai Nguyen region, absorbing sunlight and dew to create their unique flavor. Later, down in the workshop, the young people gathered around the pans roasting the tea leaves.

The whirring sound of the tea-making machine, the rustling of tea leaves. The slightly pungent smell of fresh tea resin gradually transformed into a rich, familiar aroma. Everyone eagerly reached in to try their hand at kneading the tea leaves, their hands burning hot, yet their faces still beamed with smiles.

Video : Tea master Suong Mai shares a short video about how to enjoy Zen tea, along with images of her experience picking tea leaves in Suong Mai tea village.

In the evening, in the cozy wooden house, we gathered around the tea table. The tea meditation began. The scent of incense wafted through the air. The atmosphere was so quiet that we could hear the chirping of crickets in the garden. The tea master poured streams of golden, smooth water into the cups.

"Drinking tea isn't just about tasting the flavor, it's about finding peace of mind," Sương Mai said softly.

I raised the warm cup of tea to my lips. A slight bitterness glided across my tongue, followed by a deep, sweet sensation that lingered in my throat. I glanced at the group of international students; one girl had tears welling up in her eyes. Perhaps, in the absolute stillness of the tea house, that pure flavor had inadvertently touched a certain memory, soothing the weariness and uncertainty of a young person growing up in a foreign land.

At this moment, the cup of Sương Mai tea not only carries the flavor of the Thái Nguyên region, but also serves as a support, an invisible embrace, soothing souls in need of anchorage. Everyone gently sips the tea. A strange sense of peace prevails.

Amidst the rows of young tea plants, there's a clear feeling that this place is not just about tea plants, but also about the land, the air, and the persistent efforts of people silently nurturing each green sprout. When bending down to pick a small tea bud, one feels as if they are touching the long-lasting patience of nature, the patience that creates the tea that is cherished every day.

The young people were guided on how to select the right tea buds (one bud, two leaves) and how to handle the tea branches carefully to avoid damaging the plant. And everyone was surprised to find out that tea picking is also an art requiring skill and patience.

A happy smile after experiencing the tea rolling process.

Behind every fragrant cup of tea lies the hard work, meticulousness, and heartfelt dedication of the Vietnamese people.

The Suong Mai tea house regularly hosts tea meditation sessions to foster connection, spread love, and promote the Thai Nguyen tea brand to the community.

Thai Nguyen tea has transcended the boundaries of a mere beverage, becoming a cultural heritage.

A moment of tranquility during a tea meditation session.

Tea master Suong Mai guides people on how to brew not just a delicious pot of tea, but also how to infuse peace, subtlety, and gratitude into each cup.

The Suong Mai tea village is not only a place that produces delicious tea leaves, but also a place that spreads beautiful values ​​about labor, culture, and connection.

Amidst the sounds of birdsong and tea picking, each plump, dew-kissed tea bud is gently and meticulously hand-picked – not just as a raw material, but also as a reflection of the tea maker's dedication. This work is as beautiful as a morning ritual.

(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/ve-xom-tra-suong-mai-song-cham-196260325150257334.htm