World Tea Fest 2025 Opens in Vietnam, Sets Four Records

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The World Tea Fest 2025 commenced in Lâm Đồng Province as Vietnam's first international tea festival, marking a significant cultural event with long-lasting impacts. Running from November 11 to December 7, the festival aims to celebrate and connect global tea cultures through various activities. Highlights include a mass tea-brewing by 1,111 artisans, showcasing the preservation of a 100-year-old tea factory, and hosting beauty queens from 80 countries.

The historic 1927 Tea Factory, still operational with its original machinery, served as the starting point for the festival. Aimed at blending artistic and cultural elements, the festival features a range of events such as art workshops, photography, and music. This celebration comes at a crucial time when Lâm Đồng's tea cultivation area has reduced significantly due to competition and lack of investment.

Key features of the festival include the Tea Gallery, an immersive exhibition, and Tea Connect, a diplomatic tea exchange with the participation of 60 ambassadors. The Tea Summit facilitates discussions on the global tea industry, while the Tea Carnival offers a grand concert alongside an áo dài performance by 80 Miss Cosmo World contestants. The festival's goal is to use tea as a universal language to foster peace and cultural exchange.

Complementary activities will continue until December 4, focusing on youth innovation through the Gen Tea competition and honoring traditions with Tea Culture offerings. These events aim to inspire entrepreneurship rooted in Việt Nam's tea heritage. The festival also highlights Việt Nam's growing presence on the global tea map, attracting producers from countries like Japan, China, and Thailand.

Lâm Đồng's history with tea began in 1927, introduced by a Frenchman, and evolved into the nation's largest tea-growing region. However, recent years have seen the area shrink from nearly 26,000 ha to 12,000 ha in 2025 due to shifts toward more profitable crops and limited processing investments. The festival, therefore, serves as both a cultural celebration and a pivotal moment for revitalizing the tea industry in Việt Nam.

Key Takeaways

• The festival features a month-long celebration of global tea culture.
• It sets records with 1,111 artisans and preservation of historic tea assets.
• Lâm Đồng's tea area has decreased, impacting local cultivation.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-11-12