The event was designed to honour the tea plant, Vietnamese tea culture and local people who have preserved and developed the craft. It also served as a platform to strengthen links between tea producers, distributors and consumers, helping the local tea industry move further into the global value chain.

At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan said the festival was not only an opportunity to showcase Vietnamese tea products and cultural heritage, but also a gateway for expanding international cooperation.

He noted that through cultural exchange and trade promotion, the festival connects domestic and international stakeholders and opens new opportunities for Thai Nguyen tea to reach global markets. The province, he added, hopes to continue receiving support from the Government, central ministries, UNESCO, international organisations, businesses, artisans and tea growers in preserving tea’s cultural values and building a strong and reputable Vietnamese tea brand.

Addressing the festival, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker described Vietnamese tea culture as a living heritage that reflects the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

He emphasised that tea culture embodies collective memory and cultural communication, linking communities across generations. UNESCO, he said, highly values Thai Nguyen’s efforts to safeguard and promote tea culture, viewing them as a solid foundation for recognising knowledge related to Thai Nguyen tea cultivation and processing as a good practice in protecting intangible cultural heritage.

This year’s festival is held across three venues - Vo Nguyen Giap Square, Tan Cuong Commune and La Bang Commune - offering visitors an immersive experience. Participants can take part in tea planting, harvesting, processing and tasting activities, while engaging with skilled tea artisans and enjoying performances by domestic and international art troupes.

Notably, the festival marks an important step in preparing the dossier “Vietnamese Tea Culture” for submission to UNESCO, seeking recognition on the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices under the 2003 Convention.

Lam Dong launches first World Tea Fest to promote Vietnamese tea culture

VOV.VN - The World Tea Fest 2025 officially opened in Lam Dong province, Vietnam’ Central Highlands on November 11 and will run until December 7, marking the largest tea-themed cultural and economic event ever held in Vietnam, with around 20,000 visitors expected.