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THE "TEA CULTURE" OF THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE
It's perhaps not an exaggeration to say that the entire life of a Vietnamese person is intertwined with tea. From birth, babies are often bathed in green tea leaves for disinfection. As they grow older, tea is indispensable in important events like weddings. And during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), a cup of tea is a must. Even after death, in some places, tea is used to embalm corpses due to its excellent moisture-absorbing properties. On ancestral commemoration days, we often pour cups of tea to offer to our ancestors... Tea is present in almost all Vietnamese customs and traditions.
Without fuss or formality, tea has simply become an integral part of Vietnamese life. “Tea is consumed by all social classes, from farmers and workers to the elite; from the elderly to the young; it appears in major and minor events throughout a person's life. Or simply as a familiar beverage, like the teapot our grandparents used to brew and drink all day. That is the spirit of Vietnamese tea, the style of tea that we have always strived for,” shared Tran Cong Danh (1990, Binh Dinh) – Head of the Vietnamese Tea Cultural Heritage Connection Association.
Tran Cong Danh is currently the chairman of the Vietnam Tea Cultural Heritage Connection Association.
Having had the opportunity to experience the lives of people in many places around the world, he believes that nowhere is tea as widely and commonly consumed as in Vietnam. While in China, tea is associated with the aristocracy and is frequently seen in the lives of emperors, and in Japan, the tea ceremony culture originates from the tea-drinking practices of Buddhist monks, in Vietnam, since ancient times, tea has been for everyone, regardless of social class, and is present everywhere.
In Vietnam, tea is a popular beverage enjoyed by all social classes and found everywhere.
Take iced tea, for example. It's a common, familiar drink. But for Danh Tran, it's a specialty of Vietnamese cuisine. Iced tea can be found on the streets, in many street corners, and in almost all Vietnamese eateries. A glass of iced tea is an indispensable drink, a clear expression of the relaxed, down-to-earth tea-drinking style of the Vietnamese people.
"Farmers cool off with a sip of tea after a day working in the fields. Office workers choose tea as a refreshing drink for a productive workday. Or, at the recent reception for the wife of the South Korean President, the wife of the Vietnamese President served West Lake lotus tea...", he added as an example.
TEA CULTURE NEEDS TO ADAPT MORE FLEXIBLY.
In the subconscious of many people, a "proper" tea house must adhere to certain standards. For example, upon entering, there should be an atmosphere of tranquility, dominated by slightly dark colors, with restrained lighting, and furniture typically made of wood with antique patterns. "This perception is probably heavily influenced by tea culture in China, Japan, or Taiwan," Danh Tran shared.
The Tea House boasts a modern interior, highlighted by its bright yellow color scheme.
The Vietnam Tea Heritage Connection Association aims to promote the cultural value of tea through connections between generations and diverse styles and forms of tea appreciation. “Tea House was created with the desire to connect tea lovers. Therefore, the space has a bright, open, and harmonious design within the Indochinese architecture of the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum. It is also more accessible to dynamic young people. In this way, traditional tea culture becomes more flexible and adaptable to the changing times,” Danh Tran shared.
Sharing about the inspiration behind establishing Tra Su Quan, Danh Tran said: “In 2010, while strolling down the street, I stumbled upon 'Salon thé de Mademoiselle Thi' (Ms. Thi's Tea Shop). Curious, I stepped inside and discovered a familiar cultural space deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. I felt truly proud that Vietnamese tea culture still permeated the glamorous city of Paris.”
The Historical Tea House is located at the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum (2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1).
Returning from France, Danh Tran continued his passion for learning about tea. Having many opportunities to connect with tea-loving groups and visit tea-growing regions throughout Vietnam, he gained more knowledge about Vietnamese tea culture. For Danh Tran, the history and culture of Vietnamese tea deserve to be known more widely, especially to tourists and international friends who are already familiar with Chinese tea culture or Japanese tea ceremony.
He is deeply concerned about the possibility of Vietnamese tea appearing more often at events and gatherings as a form of "Teabreak made in Vietnam." Drinking tea is not just about enjoying a beverage; it also holds spiritual and health benefits, while simultaneously honoring the traditional cultural heritage of the nation.
The Tea House also regularly hosts various exchange programs and workshops to learn about traditional cultural forms.
Visitors to Tra Su Tea House can not only choose and brew tea according to their personal preferences, but also listen to and chat about tea. In addition, the venue regularly hosts various exchange programs and workshops exploring other forms of traditional culture: folk music, traditional Vietnamese opera, fine arts, or traditional cuisine. This is a suitable destination for those who want to learn about tea culture in particular, and Vietnamese traditional culture in general.
