Vietnamese Tea 102_Tea Growing Regions in Vietnam
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The diversity of Vietnamese tea never ceases to amaze me. While trekking through these lush green hills, I encountered everything from delicate white teas to complex Pu’erh. Each Vietname's tea-growing region proudly presents its unique variety – from the bold Oolong teas of Lam Dong to the subtle flower-scented teas of Hanoi. What makes these experiences particularly special is hearing the local names and stories behind each variety, spoken in different dialects as you move from north to south.
I am Thuy Tran, co-founder of Tea J Tea , and together with my husband John, we aim explore all the fascinating tea destinations. Vietnam holds a special place in our tea journey , as it's where my roots begin. Exploring Vietnamese teas has been a joyful adventure, and if you're new to this world, I recommend starting with our comprehensive guide to Vietnamese tea that I shared earlier in our Tea Tour Guide series .
Explore Major Vietname's Tea Growing Regions
Vietnam, a country with a tea history dating back more than thousands of years, has vast diversity in its tea-growing regions. The tea-growing regions of Vietnam are as diverse as the country itself, each offering a unique taste of the nation’s rich agricultural tapestry.
From the misty highlands of the north to the lush central plains and beyond, Vietnam's tea regions are a mosaic of climates, altitudes, and terroirs. These elements combine to produce teas with distinct flavors and characteristics, reflective of the very soul of the land they come from.
Most of Vietnam’s tea-growing regions are located in the northern part of the country. Compared to large-scale tea producers like China, Vietnam's tea production area is relatively small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the diversity and quality of its teas.
Now, let’s take a walk through these popular tea regions and explore the rich diversity they bring to our beloved cuppa.
Thái Nguyên Province
Known as the "tea capital" of Vietnam, Tân Cương city in Thái Nguyên province is renowned for its high-quality green tea. The cool climate and fertile soil produce some of the finest tea leaves, characterized by their delicate flavor and vibrant color. Thái Nguyên’s traditional green tea is particularly famous for its iconic bitter taste, followed by a sweet aftertaste that lingers on the palate. Teas produced in this region have won a plethora of awards and have been used as the Kings tribute tea in the olden days.
We met our third generation green tea producer in this region and their teas have been a staple for domestic consumption as well| as made it into our product line. (Coming soon)
The Tea also won the 2024 Best Green Tea award at the World Tea Expo.
Lâm Đồng Province
Located in the Central Highlands, The Lâm Đồng province is famous for its aromatic oolong teas. The region's high altitude and temperate climate contribute to the unique flavors and aromas of its teas, making Lâm Đồng a key player in Vietnam’s tea industry. The two cities that are known for agriculture in this province of Da Lat and Bảo Lộc.
We’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Bảo Lộc region during the non-harvesting phase. The experience left the feeling of “more-to-be-desired” so we’ll be coming back here again in the future to see how it’s improved.
Sơn La Province
Sơn La's high-altitude plantations produce teas with a unique, earthy flavor. The region is also noted for its organic and sustainable tea farming practices. The most well-known tea-producing area in Sơn La is Tà Xùa, which means "Tea Area" or "Tea Hill" in the H'Mông language.
I visited the Mộc Châu district in the Sơn La Province and the tea hills stretched as far as the eyes can see. The site was lovely! This region in particular produced oolong teas. I’ve learned that the different levels of oxidation has a different naming convention in Vietnamese. We’ll go over all my learnings from the tea tour in a separate article.
Yên Bái Province
North of Sơn La and south of the Lào Cai and Hà Giang provinces, Yên Bái is home to some wonderful wild origin tea areas. Here, most of the well-known tea-producing regions are around Nghĩa Lộ city, with Suối Giàng being the most famous. Many of the prime tea tree areas in Yên Bái are situated at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 meters.
Hà Giang Province
Located in the far north, Hà Giang is home to some of Vietnam's oldest tea trees. It is the largest wild origin tea area by land mass and the biggest producer of wild origin tea in Vietnam. Tea tree areas in Hà Giang are typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to over 2,000 meters. The people living and producing tea in these wild origin tea tree areas are primarily of the Dao and H'Mông ethnicities. Their traditional knowledge and practices are integral to the distinctive quality and character of Hà Giang’s teas. Hà Giang is a range of mountains that are full of very old tea trees. These areas usually have their own style of harvesting and processing.
This region is also known for the specific Shan Tuyet tea, which is harvested from ancient tea trees growing wild in the mountains. Among all the Vietname's tea-growing regions, this area holds a very special value owing to its old tea gardens.
Lai Châu Province
Lai Châu province, which shares a border with the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in China to the north, is home to the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range, which includes Phan Xi Păng, the tallest mountain in Vietnam, reaching 3,143 meters at its summit. Many wild varietal (non-Sinensis) tea trees thrive at elevations above 1,800 meters here. The three primary districts in Lai Châu that produce wild origin tea are Phong Thổ, Sìn Hồ, and Tam Đường. Tea tree areas in Lai Châu can be found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to over 2,000 meters. The people living and producing tea in these wild origin tea tree areas are primarily of the Dao and H'Mông ethnicities.
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Điện Biên Province
Điện Biên province, located west of Sơn La, shares a border with Phongsaly province in Laos to the west. The most popular wild-origin tea-producing areas in Điện Biên are in the Tủa Chùa district, directly south and then west of the Đà River. Many teas produced here share similar characteristics with teas from Phongsaly, Laos, and Yiwu, China.
Conclusion
Vietnam's tea-growing regions are a reflection of the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage. From the "tea capital" of Thái Nguyên to the ancient wild tea trees of Hà Giang and the high-altitude plantations of Sơn La and Lai Châu , each region offers a unique flavor profile that tells the story of the land, the people, and the traditions that have shaped Vietnamese tea culture for centuries. Exploring these regions through their teas is not just a journey through taste but a deeper connection to the heart of Vietnam's agricultural legacy. Whether you’re savoring a cup of rich green tea from Thái Nguyên or enjoying the earthy notes of a Shan Tuyet tea from Sơn La , each sip offers a glimpse into the soul of this ancient tea-growing nation.
FAQ Section
Where does tea grow in Vietnam?
Tea is cultivated across several regions in Vietnam, with significant tea-growing areas in the northern and central highlands, including provinces like Hà Giang , Thái Nguyên , and Lâm Đồng .
What is the tea capital of Vietnam?
Thái Nguyên is often referred to as the "tea capital of Vietnam" due to its extensive tea cultivation and production, renowned for its high-quality green tea. The tea maker that we work with in this region is in their 4th generation. TeaJTea’s green tea supplied from this area also won the 2024 Best Green Tea award at the World Tea Expo.
Which region produces the most tea in Vietnam?
The northern region, particularly Thái Nguyên , is the largest tea-producing area in Vietnam, contributing a significant portion of the country's tea output.
What are the main tea-growing regions in Vietnam?
The main tea-growing regions include:
Thái Nguyên
Hà Giang
Sơn La
Lâm Đồng
Phú Thọ
Yên Bái
Each region offers unique tea varieties with distinct flavors influenced by their specific terroirs.
How do different regions influence the flavor of Vietnamese tea?
The flavor of Vietnamese tea is shaped by the region's climate, soil, and altitude. For example, the high-altitude tea gardens of Hà Giang produce teas with a distinct floral or vegetal aroma and taste with hints of fruity notes from the forest, while the fertile plains of Thái Nguyên yield teas with a rich umami and bold flavors.
