Lai Chau Rediscovers Ancient Tree Tea Value, Supports Ethnic Minority Livelihoods

In Vietnam's northern Lai Chau province, initiatives to rediscover the value of ancient tree tea and promote regional economic development and the livelihoods of ethnic minorities are gaining attention. Entrepreneur Tran Thi Mai Phuong is spearheading the preservation of ancient "Shan Tuyet" tea trees, some centuries old, and fostering sustainable development through this effort. Phuong's journey into tea began with questions she harbored about imported teas. Her subsequent in-depth exploration of tea processing techniques led her to discover Vietnam's valuable heritage of ancient tea trees, some dating back hundreds of years. She specifically focused on the potential of tea trees in Xin Chai village, Lai Chau province, which have been preserved by the Hmong ethnic group for generations, noting their under-exploited economic value. Phuong's company, Phuong Nam Group, is not only cultivating around 600 new ancient tea saplings but also collaborating with local residents to conserve over 3,000 ancient tea trees aged 400-500 years. This endeavor aims not just to bring high-quality tea products to market but also to protect precious tea genetic resources and provide sustainable livelihoods for the Hmong community. The fair pricing for the harvest, processing, and sale of ancient tree tea motivates local residents to protect and maintain these valuable trees. According to Phuong, ancient tea trees can yield harvests approximately four times a year, with an average of 800 kg of fresh tea per harvest. A stable purchase price of around 60,000 VND/kg allows many households to earn between 190 to 200 million VND annually, significantly improving their living standards. Furthermore, Phuong is developing new products, such as ancient Shan Tuyet tea infused with lotus, combining the essence of high-mountain ancient tea with traditional Vietnamese lotus scenting techniques. These efforts contribute to elevating the value of Vietnamese agricultural products and preserving the region's natural heritage, culture, and pride. Her company's Shan Tuyet ancient tree tea products are slated to participate in Lai Chau province's OCOP (One Commune One Product) program in 2026, aiming to establish the market position of high-mountain teas. Phuong believes that as the value of ancient tea trees is recognized, local residents will become more conscious of preserving these rare trees as a community asset. This venture seeks to transform mountain resources into drivers of economic development, create sustainable livelihoods for highland communities, and expand Vietnamese Shan Tuyet ancient tree tea into domestic and international markets. Source: Nhan Dan