Ha Giang (VNS/VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang province’s signature shan tuyet tea trees have been recognisedas part of the Ancient Tree Heritage of Vietnam.

TheNature and Environment Protection Society of Vietnam, the Vietnam TeaAssociation and relevant officials of Ha Giang province issued a jointstatement announcing the decision in a ceremony at Nam Ty commune over theweekend.

The rockymountains of Ha Giang, home to the magnificent terraced rice fields, alsonurture a large community of ancient shan tuyet trees. InHoang Su Phi district alone, more than 2,000ha of tea fields are home tothree million ancient tea trees, some of which are more than 200 yearsold. 

Thenatural tea acreage of Hoang Su Phi district plays an important role in keepinga well-proportioned mix of major crops in the district, a decree by the HaGiang People's Committee stated in December last year.

Home to aclimate suitable for tea growth, the tea trees have become one of the fivemajor crops of the province. The tea and tea-drinking culture is closelyassociated with the local people, who prefer using fresh herbs for theirbrews. 

Roastedor fermented teas are used for export to distant markets. 

Grown onpure and fresh strips of land at over 1,000m above sea level on lime karstmountains of Vietnam's northeastern region, the tea buds and leaves areharvested so that they maintain their best quality.

Everyyear, total production reaches 12,800 tonnes of high quality tea buds, blackand green teas. Tea communities in Lung Phin (Dong Van district), Phin Ho, TungSan and Thong Nguyen (Hoang Su Phi district), Tham Ve, Bo Duot, Thuong Son andCao Bo (Vi Xuyen district) are among the best that grow in the natural habitatwithout any human interference such as fertiliser or pesticides.

As ofnow, shan tuyet tea has been exported not only to big citiesin Vietnam such as Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City, it has reached consumers inEurope, Asia and America in more than 20 countries.

Prior tothis ceremony to recognise the ancient tea, communities in Ha Giang, theIntellectual Property Department earlier issued the geographical indicationsof shan tuyet tea to 44 communes in six districts and citiesof Ha Giang province. A native tree of the mountains, the shan tuyet teais closely related to the local Dao and Mong people.

Ha Giangofficials have set a target to increase the commercial tea plantation up to17,000ha, of which 70 per cent reaches VietGap or organic quality requirements.Geographical indications shall be important for global consumers to learn aboutHa Giang, its tea and the people.-VNS/VNA