Drinking tea brings three pleasures: the joy of leisure, the joy of conversation, and the joy of social connection. In Vietnam, tea is enjoyed by all, from farmers to scholars, and whether it's a holiday or a special occasion, the Vietnamese people drink tea and offer tea. Tea has become more than just a beverage; it has evolved into a cultural tradition, both past and present. Offering and drinking tea is also a way to seek out a true companion and build lasting friendships.

A picturesque scene at Chu Troc tea shop. Photo: NVCC

 A hobby that requires a lot of effort

We visited Dong Dinh Museum, located on Hoang Sa Street (Son Tra District), which has recently become a gathering place for those who appreciate the art of tea. Mrs. Ho Ngoc Quynh Tram, the museum manager, shared that the museum has three tea-tasting rooms, designed to meet the standards of a traditional tea space. These rooms feature tea tables, display shelves for tea-making tools, and various types of tea used by the museum.

To serve tea enthusiasts, tea masters (invited from Hoi An) with skilful craftsmanship will be present. Tea at Dong Dinh Museum is sourced from many renowned tea-growing regions across the country, including: white tea (which has a delicate flavor and low caffeine content); red tea, which is processed by oxidizing "just enough" (80-95% depending on the tea artisan or the production area) to create its distinctive flavor; yellow tea (also known as golden tea); pressed tea - Pu-erh tea; and Oolong tea...

A complete tea set includes a tea tray, a teapot, a tea strainer, a tea container, a tea jar, a tea scoop, a tea pitcher, and tea cups. In addition to the tea-drinking tools mentioned above, brewing tea requires a kettle for heating water, which can be made of metal, porcelain, or an electric kettle. It is also necessary to have a small cloth to wipe away any spilled tea and keep the tea table clean. Some tea drinkers even use a small scale to measure the tea, a handheld thermometer to accurately measure the water temperature, and sometimes even a stopwatch to keep track of the tea brewing time.

To prepare a delicious cup of tea to serve guests, the process of brewing tea is quite intricate. At Dong Dinh Museum, the tea brewing process is carried out in the following steps. The first step is preparation which involves selecting the tea (either chosen by the customer or the tea house), and depending on the type of tea to be served, the tea table and tea utensils are prepared accordingly. The brewing process consists of three stages: “tac tra” (introducing the tea master, presenting the type of tea, and allowing the guest to taste the tea leaves unbrewed, meaning to enjoy the fragrance of the tea before it is brewed); next is “thuc tra”, which involves warming the teapot (rinsing both the inside and outside of the pot) before adding the tea leaves and shaking the pot gently. At this stage, the guest is invited to “tham am” (taste the fragrance of the dry tea leaves inside the pot). Meanwhile, the tea master will perform the step of rinsing the tea utensils to ensure that they are clean and properly warmed.

In the third step, the tea brewing stage, the tea is brewed by pouring hot water for 30-50 seconds. Then, the tea master will gently swirl the teapot in a clockwise direction while brewing the tea. Cham tra (Pouring tea) is the stage where the tea is poured into cups, with several pours to ensure an even distribution of tea in each cup. The tradition of tea appreciation has always emphasized the principle of "Kinh lao đac tho - Tien khach hau chu," meaning "Respect the elderly and prioritize guests before the host."

Finally, it's time to enjoy the tea. The tea master will serve the tea in the order of pouring, introducing the proper way to hold the cup, sip the tea, and savour its flavours, as well as explaining the different stages of tea brewing and the unique tastes that emerge at each stage. In this way, the tea ceremony unfolds in an atmosphere that blends nostalgia with rustic charm, while also carrying a sense of elegance, warmth, and luxury.

When mentioning the art of tea tasting, one cannot overlook the role of the tea master, who is seen as the one who imparts the "soul", fragrance, and beauty of this refined beverage. Those who take on this role do more than simply brew tea to perfection; they must possess a deep understanding of the craft to help the drinker appreciate the subtle beauty in every note of aroma and flavor. With years of experience managing Dong Dinh Museum, Mrs. Quynh Tram explains that tea masters are like baristas in coffee shops or bartenders at a bar, responsible for preparing and serving tea, as well as engaging in conversation with guests in tea rooms or tea houses.

A tea master possesses deep knowledge of tea, and this person is well-versed in the tea brewing process, and must exhibit patience and skill. The image of the tea master is often associated with graceful, delicate women sitting by the tea table, and expertly performing each step of the tea brewing process with love for their craft and passion for tea.

“In the enchanting atmosphere, with soft lighting and the ancient surroundings, enjoying a fragrant cup of tea while discovering the culture of the city by Han River brings a sense of tranquility and peace. The energy from nature and the cultural space here refreshes the soul and revitalizes the spirit of every individual,” shared Mr. Dinh My Lan Hanh, a guest from Hanoi, after his tea experience at Dong Dinh Museum.

Old traditions need to be preserved

Drinking tea brings three pleasures: the joy of leisure, the joy of conversation, and the joy of social connection. In Vietnam, tea is enjoyed by all, from farmers to scholars, and whether it's a holiday or a special occasion, the Vietnamese people drink tea and offer tea. Tea has become more than just a beverage; it has evolved into a cultural tradition, both past and present. Offering and drinking tea is also a way to seek out a true companion and build lasting friendships. Accordingly, a proper tea ceremony must meet several criteria: first, the water (used for brewing tea) must be in good quality; second, the tea itself must be of the finest kind; third, the teapot and cups must be appropriate; fourth, the brewing method must be correct; and fifth, the experience is best enjoyed with true companions.

Our ancestors, who are well-versed in the art of tea drinking, believed that tea is a drink with layers, each representing a different stage of life. The first brew is like the water of a young maiden—pure and sweet. The second brew is like that of a mature woman—rich and profound, embodying the true essence and depth of tea. After the bitterness is the sweet aftertaste that lingers forever. Tea nourishes the soul and has always been an endless source of inspiration for poets. Traditional verses about tea still resonate today, such as “When morning’s scent rises, and the tea of midday / The table is spread, water drawn, silk threads paint the zither” (Nguyen Du), or “Leisurely asking for fire to make new tea / Enjoying the pleasure of watching the afternoon pass by the pine trees” (Cao Ba Quat).

Tea connoisseurs in Vietnam now not only brew tea at home but also seek out tea shops to savor the finest flavours. In recent times, some popular tea spots in Da Nang that frequent visitors often return to include Yen Tea House (on 2/9 Street) and Chu Troc Tea House (Troc Thu Tea, 416/2 Hoang Dieu Street). True to its name, Yen Tea House is a small, tranquil tea shop nestled in the heart of the city with a gentle and serene atmosphere. Here, guests can enjoy familiar blends such as herbal tea and ginger licorice tea. On the other hand, Chu Troc Tea House is often compared to a peaceful pause amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hoang Do Nguyen Quyen (born in 2000, Hai Chau District) shares that Chu Troc Tea Shop is a familiar meeting spot for her and her friends every weekend afternoon. The tea there is both elegant and pure, yet has a deep, authentic bitterness that reflects the essence of this beverage. There are many such spaces for tea lovers, and each of which offers a unique atmosphere for everyone to choose...

Drinking tea has long been a refined pleasure, and a sacred cultural tradition deeply connected to the life and spirituality of Vietnamese people. Sipping a cup of exquisite tea, one feels refreshed, is in harmony with nature, and senses the lingering sweetness of tea that stays with them!

Reporting by NHAN HOA ANH – Translating by HONG VAN