Shan Tuyet tea of Lien village enters the international market

Awakening the “soul” of ancient tea trees

In Lien village, the Shan Tuyet tea tree has been an integral part of the local people’s lives for generations. The tea here is distinctive because it is harvested from ancient trees that grow naturally, without the use of chemicals. The community established a rule stating that any household violating organic production principles must host a meal for the entire village and be expelled from the production group. This strictness is a necessary condition for Lien village to pursue a path of organic production that meets international standards.

In 2006, the first tea processing facility was established under the name Ban Lien Cooperative. By September 2007, Ban Lien Shan Tuyet tea had obtained international organic certification. However, due to technological limitations, the initial batches were primarily sold domestically, with only a small portion exported to the Middle East. Mr. Pham Quang Than, Chairman of the Board and Director of the Ban Lien Tea Cooperative, recalls: “Back then, it was difficult to export the tea to Europe because the flavor was somewhat astringent and did not quite suit consumers’ tastes”. It was not until 2012, following improvements in processing technology, that the tea’s quality truly met market demands. From that point on, Lien village tea products sold out as soon as they were produced.

Establishing the brand

Currently, the Lien village Tea Cooperative has 310 members. The entire production process is coded, documented and strictly adheres to organic standards, involving no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. According to Mr. Pham Quang Than, the 5-star OCOP certification for Shan Tuyet tea of Lien village marks a significant milestone, affirming the product’s quality and elevating its standing in the international market. Currently, Lien village has developed 8-10 product lines ranging from green tea, black tea, and jasmine tea to tea cakes and pressed tea achieving an average annual export growth rate of 15-20% (with the European market alone seeing 5-7% growth) and maintaining a regular presence at international trade fairs. Notably, thanks to full compliance with 25 international standards in cultivation and processing, Lien village ’s compressed tea is currently the only Vietnamese product exported to Europe for use in the food and cosmetics industries.

The growth of production has contributed to raising residents' incomes. While previously earnings amounted to only a few tens of millions of dong per year, many households now achieve 150 million dong or even more. Many households have been able to build sturdy homes and purchase modern household appliances. The cooperative also allocates 5% of its profits to local education and healthcare, providing children with scholarships, school supplies and career guidance.

A bright spot on the tourism map

Organic tea production in Ban Lien village has faced significant challenges at times. The COVID-19 pandemic stalled export markets and led to a buildup of unsold inventory; however, the cooperative persevered in purchasing tea from local farmers, finally clearing the stock in April 2022. In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi caused landslides and prolonged power outages, forcing factories to suspend operations for nearly a month. Amidst these challenges, local residents proactively sought new directions, combining tea production with the development of community-based tourism. Set against a backdrop of peaceful mountains and forests, visitors can experience tea picking, savor Tay cuisine and camp or stay in rustic stilt houses, an initiative that transforms local culture into a livelihood for families.

Community-based tourism not only helps promote Shan Tuyet tea products but also opens up new avenues for development. The Tay people of Lien village have creatively processed mature tea leaves into a mild-tasting beverage and produced items such as tea powder, dried tea leaves, and herbal pillows, thereby generating a significant source of income. Lien village gained greater renown after the reality show Haha family filmed at Ms. Vang Thi Thong’s homestay aired in the early summer of 2025. Since then, the village has rapidly become a magnet for tourists, particularly young people, helping to put Lien village prominently on the tourism map of the Northwest region.

In the future, Ban Lien will continue to develop along the lines of green, clean and sustainable tourism, a model where a visitor’s journey goes beyond mere exploration to become a meaningful partnership with the local community./.