Vietnamese tea makes its mark on international stage
DNO - Vietnamese tea is gaining new momentum in international markets, drawing attention not only for its rich natural resources and prized ancient tea varieties, but also for the cultural heritage and human stories woven into every cup.
According to Vietnam News Agency, a showcase of that potential came at Vietnam Exhibition 2026, held in July at the Beyond Food Expo 2026 at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Center (KICE) in Thailand.
The Vietnamese Tea Cultural Space attracted visitors while offering a distinctive introduction to the country’s tea products, tea culture and spirit of hospitality. More than a product display, the space presented tea as a cultural bridge.
Through each cup, organizers sought to convey the connection between Vietnam’s natural landscapes, its people and a tea heritage passed down through generations.
The experience also carried a broader message of friendship, sincerity and hospitality, helping create opportunities for cultural exchange and international cooperation.
The event highlighted Shan Tuyet tea, one of Vietnam’s distinctive tea products, while giving visitors an opportunity to experience the traditions surrounding Vietnamese tea. The showcase was viewed as a platform for business networking.
By connecting with distributors, potential partners and tea enthusiasts in Thailand, Vietnamese tea producers can gain a better understanding of international consumers while bringing the country’s tea closer to new markets.
At Latino Festival 2026 in Canada, a Vietnamese tea booth hosted by artisan Nguyen Ngoc Tuan offered another example of how tea can introduce Vietnam to international audiences in an intimate and accessible way.
Amid the vibrant atmosphere of a festival celebrating Latin American culture, the tea booth provided a quieter but equally engaging experience.
For many visitors, it was their first opportunity to taste Vietnamese tea. Tuan said the tea he presents abroad is a simple yet meaningful way of telling the story of Vietnam.
Tea is more than a beverage; it can open conversations and create connections between people. That quality proved particularly evident among visitors from Colombia, where coffee culture is deeply rooted.
The lighter, naturally nuanced taste of Vietnamese tea offered a fresh experience and sparked conversations about different traditions of drinking and appreciating beverages.
For Colombian visitor Anna Martinez, her first taste of Vietnamese tea left a strong impression. She praised its natural and approachable flavour and said she wanted to introduce Vietnamese tea and its traditions to friends, neighbours and members of her community
.From the tea-growing mountains of Vietnam to international exhibitions and multicultural festivals, each cup offers an opportunity to discover the country through its flavours, landscapes, traditions and people.
As Vietnamese tea seeks a stronger position in global markets, its greatest advantage may lie precisely in this combination of quality, heritage and cultural storytelling.