Building high quality raw tea growing areas

Developing high-quality tea growing areas is becoming an important driving force for the rural economy of Thai Nguyen. Farmers play a central role in linkage models, producing tea according to VietGAP and organic standards, while forming a sustainable value chain, enhancing competitiveness and local tea brands. The construction of concentrated growing areas with consistent quality contributes to increasing the economic value of the tea industry.

The construction of concentrated raw material areas with uniform quality contributes to increasing the economic value of the tea industry. In the photo: Harvesting raw tea in La Bang commune. Photo: TL

Linking production - processing - consumption

In Dong Tien hamlet, La Bang commune, farmer member Nguyen Thi Hien, who has just been nominated for the title of "Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer in 2025", is developing key raw material areas. Her enterprise currently manages 150 hectares of planned tea, of which 10 hectares have been certified organic, concentrated in Chinh Phu 1, 2, 3 Tea Village and La Bang commune.

Thanks to the year-round cool and humid climate, the tea growing area develops stably, produces uniform buds and yields 126 quintals/ha. From this source of raw materials, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien's facility supplies about 600 tons of tea each year, distributed through more than 20 level I agents in Hanoi , Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The company's tea products not only meet domestic demand but are also exported to Korea, China, India, Russia, Sri Lanka, the US and Canada, contributing to strengthening the Thai Nguyen tea brand.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien emphasized: Tea production today must ensure cleanliness, meet standards, maintain its distinctive flavor and be suitable for both domestic and export markets. Focus on organic raw material areas, apply new techniques and encourage people to cooperate to increase the value of tea trees and develop a sustainable brand.

A livestream introducing and selling famous tea products in the province.

From the foundation of manual production, many local entities have established cooperatives, applying technology and digital transformation in management and processing.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai, Director of La Bang Tea Cooperative, is one of the pioneers in building a regional tea brand. Since 2006, Ms. Hai has implemented a systematic production model. After nearly 20 years, the Cooperative now has a charter capital of 1.5 billion VND, manages 30 hectares of tea, and is associated with 200 households, gradually forming a stable production, processing and consumption chain.

La Bang tea brand has achieved many achievements: Gold Cup for quality and Golden Hand at the Festival of 10 provincial craft villages in 2009; Gold Cup at La Bang Tea Festival; participated in Thai Nguyen Tea Festivals; selected as a gift at the APEC Summit 2017; achieved 4-star OCOP; recognized as a typical rural industrial product at the regional and national levels and a typical agricultural product at the provincial level.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai affirmed: Building a brand is not easy, but good products that preserve the quintessence of the tea region will be welcomed by consumers. Connection, synchronous processes and continuous innovation are factors that help La Bang tea develop in the long term. In fact, building a brand associated with product quality, standardized farming techniques and stable raw material sources is the foundation for the tea region to reach the international market.

Currently, the whole province has about 24,000 hectares of tea, of which the area for products is nearly 22,000 hectares. In 2025, Thai Nguyen plans to plant and replant 420 hectares of tea; to date, the newly planted and replanted area is estimated to reach nearly 100 hectares. This expansion is creating a foundation for the tea industry to develop professionally and sustainably.

Thai Nguyen province aims to have the total value of tea products reach 25 trillion VND by 2030, equivalent to about 1 billion USD.

In the 2023-2025 period, the Farmers' Association at all levels in the province has supported the construction of production organization models, established 73 cooperatives, 163 cooperative groups, 159 professional associations and 296 professional associations. This is the core force to develop stable raw material areas, standardize farming processes, improve product quality and ensure value chain linkage from production to consumption.

Training is also emphasized. During this period, 3,262 typical farmers and good business farmers were trained in techniques of planting, caring, processing, promoting and consuming tea. Thanks to that, farmers gradually changed their thinking, applied science and technology, improved product quality and strengthened links in the value chain.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Association Nguyen Dinh Diep emphasized: Tea trees are the sustainable livelihood of thousands of farming households. Farmers' Associations at all levels will continue to accompany and support the development of high-quality tea areas, promote new techniques and expand consumption markets, consolidating the position of Thai Nguyen tea domestically and internationally.

Promoting collective brands and sustainable value chains

Hao Dat Tea Cooperative uses the logo and collective trademark "Thai Nguyen Tea" on all tea products licensed by the management agency.

An important content in building raw material areas is to strengthen the management and use of the collective trademark “Thai Nguyen Tea”. This helps units and households affirm product reputation, protect brands and expand markets.

Recently, the Provincial Farmers' Association has organized delegations to assess the conditions for granting the right to use trademarks in many localities. In Dai Tu commune, the delegation inspected 5 registered units including: Hong Thai Tea Cooperative, Ha Thanh Tea Production and Processing Cooperative, Travina - Tam Tra Viet Cooperative and two business establishments of Pham Thi Phuong and Duong Thi Thu households.

The inspection focuses on the production, processing, product management processes and compliance with the conditions for using the trademark. All entities commit to comply with the regulations after being granted the right, contributing to protecting the brand and enhancing the value of the product.

Typical tea products that meet OCOP standards of Thai Nguyen are displayed and introduced at many large exhibitions and fairs inside and outside the province.

The province currently has more than 205 households, businesses and cooperatives registered to use the collective trademark "Thai Nguyen Tea". Product information is integrated on the C-Thai Nguyen application and the Provincial Farmers' Association's electronic information portal, helping to promote, clarify the origin and support consumption. The collective trademark "Thai Nguyen Tea" has been protected in 6 countries, while the geographical indication "Tan Cuong" is protected in the European Union, expanding export opportunities and bringing products to the world market.

With a sustainable development strategy, Thai Nguyen aims to build high-quality raw tea areas associated with a complete value chain, from production, processing to domestic consumption and export.

Planning raw material areas, improving product quality, training human resources and protecting brands help tea affirm its role as a key crop and affirm its position on the international tea map. This is the foundation for farmers, businesses and associated organizations to create sustainable added value, promote agricultural restructuring, improve rural life and integrate into the global market.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202512/xay-dung-vung-che-nguyen-lieu-chat-luong-cao-f88227b/