Vietnamese tea (Tra): Explore the cultural highlights of this popular drink

Contents

Thai Nguyen, the cradle of Vietnamese tea (Source: Collected)

During your Vietnam travel, besides visiting some famous tourist attractions, you should enjoy Vietnamese tea to experience the close-knit social lifestyle and culture of Vietnamese people. Being the 5th biggest tea exporter in the world, Vietnam offers a wide variety of high-quality teas with uniquely delicious tastes, which are highly preferred by foreign consumers.

1. About Vietnamese tea and its benefits

• Tea production in Vietnam

Although tea has been consumed by Vietnamese people since the 11th century, domestic production of tea only started from the 1880s. The earliest Vietnamese tea plantations were established by French colonists in the area of Pho Tho, northwest of Hanoi. Nowadays, tea is grown in various mountainous regions of Vietnam, primarily in some northern provinces, including Thai Nguyen, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Son La, and the Central Highlands.

The majority of Vietnamese tea is grown by independent farmers who are contracted to sell a portion of their tea leaves to state-owned plantations or big processing companies. They are free to process the remaining leaves into some original teas or to sell them on the open market.

• Benefits of Vietnamese tea

For thousands of years, tea has been an integral part of Vietnamese families’ daily lives. This refreshing beverage not only soothes the mind, but also helps prevent a variety of common illnesses. Regarding mental benefits of drinking tea, the amino acid L-theanine present in tea positively affects the brain’s attention networks, resulting in a sense of relaxation without drowsiness after consumption. Moreover, tea connoisseurs are less likely to suffer from depression since tea consumption is associated with changes of grey matter in the brain, which could aid in the prevention of many mental illnesses.

In terms of physical benefits, it is believed that the polyphenols in Vietnamese tea contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to relax arterial tissues and lower the risk of inflammation. In addition, tea also helps regulate blood sugar levels, manages conditions of type 2 diabetes, and reduces the possibility of developing heart diseases.

Drinking tea is an indispensable habit in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

• Tea drinking etiquette in Vietnamese culture

Vietnamese ways of drinking tea are very diverse with no fixed standard and interestingly reflect the lifestyles of different areas in Vietnam. A tea course normally requires a set of tea cups and a teapot, dried or fresh tea leaves, and boiling water.

The process of making a perfect cup of Vietnamese tea begins with rinsing the tea cups and pot with boiling water, then filling the teapot with tea leaves and boiling water. In order to rouse the tea’s aroma, it is recommended to discard the water in the teapot after the first 10 seconds, then pour boiling water in again to steep the tea for 15 minutes. When the tea is ready, carefully pour the tea into your cup, enjoy its aroma before taking a sip, and feel the exquisite flavour of Vietnamese tea. People also enjoy some Vietnamese food as side dishes such as confectionaries, sweetened dried fruits, or mooncakes along with the tea.

Vietnamese tea brings a charming flavour of Vietnam (Source: Collected)

2. Top 7 Vietnamese tea types that will surprise you with their tastes

Being one of the largest and oldest tea-producing countries in the world, Vietnam has over 170 tea varieties with different flavours and benefits, which can satisfy the demands of people from all walks of life. Below are the 7 most special and exquisite Vietnamese tea types that you should try on your next holiday in Vietnam.

2.1. Vietnamese green tea

Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in Vietnam, thanks to its numerous health benefits, such as weight control and brain function improvement. This type of tea is compatible with Vietnam’s soil and climate, as it can be found in both plains and highlands. Compared with other teas, green tea can be enjoyed fresh after its leaves are picked from the plant. Its cooling effect makes it an ideal beverage for hot summer days in tropical nations.

Vietnamese farmers picking green tea in a plantation (Source: Collected)

2.2. Vietnamese artichoke tea

Thanks to its detoxifying properties, Vietnamese artichoke tea is widely regarded as the drink to cure hangovers. It is mainly grown in Da Lat, the largest city of the Central Highlands region in Vietnam. Artichoke tea comes in two varieties. One made from artichoke flowers brings a smooth and naturally sweet flavour, while the other made from artichoke stems is slightly bitter.

Artichoke plants grown on a field in Da Lat, Vietnam (Source: Collected)

2.3. Vietnamese lotus tea

Vietnamese lotus tea is a special flower tea deeply rooted in the nation’s culture. Lotus is often regarded as Vietnam’s unofficial national flower, as it can be found almost anywhere in this S-shaped country. Vietnamese lotus tea has a distinctive pure aroma and the mild flowery flavour of lotus, making it a very refreshing drink.

Vietnamese lotus tea is an exquisite beverage that cannot be found anywhere else (Source: Collected)

2.4. Vietnamese jasmine tea

If you are a true tea enthusiast, it is recommended that you try Vietnamese jasmine tea. This kind of tea has a more profound aroma than lotus tea. Enjoying jasmine tea, all your senses will be wonderfully roused by the robust taste of green tea and the sweet and long-lasting aftertaste of jasmine. The flavour of jasmine tea is absolutely charming with no hint of bitterness.

Vietnamese jasmine tea is the perfect combination between high-quality green tea leaves and jasmine flowers (Source: Collected)

2.5. Vietnamese black tea

Black tea is one of the best tea products of Vietnam, accounting for 60% of the total export turnover of 300 million USD per year. Black tea not only has a higher caffeine content but also more astringency and bitterness than green tea. Depending on how long the black tea is oxidized and how it is manufactured, its colour will vary, from amber-red to dark brown, and its flavour will vary from savoury to sweet as well.

Vietnamese black tea is a robust and hearty drink with notes of chocolate and cedar (Source: Collected)

2.6. Vietnamese oolong tea

Oolong tea is one of the most well-liked varieties of tea grown in Vietnam. This kind of tea is made from large leaves that typically bloom toward the end of spring. Taking a sip of oolong tea, you will see that it does not taste as bitter as black tea. Your taste buds will be overflown with the wonderful flavour, followed by a faint sweetness that lingers, which will definitely satisfy you as you enjoy this tea.

Vietnamese oolong tea is one of the world’s most precious oolongs (Source: Collected)

2.7. Vietnamese ginger tea

Vietnamese ginger tea is a one-of-a-kind herbal tea. This special tea is a caffeine-free beverage that plays an important role in Vietnamese people’s daily lives. Ginger is grown throughout the country and has become an essential part of the life and culture of Vietnamese people. Ginger is not only a unique spice, it is also a multi-functional herbal medicine that can be used to treat nausea, digestive issues, and common cold symptoms.

The flavour of ginger tea is immensely pleasant (Source: Collected)

3. Vietnam tea prices and suggested places to buy authentic tea

Even though there is no lack of good tea in other parts of the world, Vietnamese tea will rouse your senses with its typical bittersweet taste and alluring aroma. Vietnamese tea’s prices vary greatly depending on the quality of the tea, ranging from 80.000 VND/kilogram to 3.000.000 VND/kilogram.

If you are confused about where to buy Vietnamese tea during your trip in Vietnam, it is recommended that you go to some Northwestern provinces, such as Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Lam Dong, which are some of the largest tea-growing areas in Vietnam. Travelling to those places, you will have an opportunity to admire beautiful tea plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see. Moreover, you can pick the tea leaves and buds by yourself, which would definitely be an unforgettable experience on your Vietnam trip.

Tourists picking tea leaves in a Vietnamese tea plantation (Source: Collected)

Besides the above-mentioned places, Hanoi is also a great destination with many famous tea houses to buy many Vietnamese tea varieties on your trip, as this city has a bold tea culture. While you are in Hanoi, don’t forget to visit some well-known tourist attractions such as VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium. They are both located in Vincom Mega Mall Times City and widely regarded as the most appealing attractions in the city for young families and teenagers.

VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium are great places for entertainment and education

At Vinpearl Aquarium, you can immerse yourself in a colorful world of the mysterious ocean. This place has set numerous records and is now home to almost 30,000 sea specimens. Meanwhile, VinKE is an ideal venue for children to try their dream jobs while having fun with their parents.

>>>  Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium to have an interesting and memorable experience with your whole family!

Vietnamese tea plays an important role in Vietnam’s society, as it is often served at the start of business meetings, during meals or social gatherings. Coming from one of the largest tea producers in the world, Vietnamese tea is highly valued for its simple purity and delicate flavours. If you have a chance to visit Vietnam, don’t forget to enjoy this exquisite beverage and buy some at the places recommended above.