Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa – The Woman Preserving the Soul of Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet Tea
Amid the misty mountains of Northwest Vietnam, where centuries-old Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea trees thrive in the cool mountain fog, there is a woman who has devoted more than 30 years of her life to preserving and revitalizing this legendary tea region. She is Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa – Director of Tuyet Son Tra Suoi Giang Cooperative, recognized as one of the pioneers who helped restore Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea to its rightful reputation.
In 2023, Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa was honored as one of the “100 Outstanding Vietnamese Farmers”, recognizing her enduring journey in preserving ancient tea trees and the tea culture of Suoi Giang.
1. Suoi Giang – The Tea Region Above the Clouds
Suoi Giang, now part of Van Chan Commune, Lao Cai Province, lies at an average altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Covered in clouds year-round with a cool climate, it provides the perfect natural environment for ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees to flourish.
The Suoi Giang tea-growing region currently includes:
- Approximately 400 hectares of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees
- More than 200 hectares of Shan Tuyet tea trees aged 60–100 years
- Over 40,000 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees more than 100 years old
These tea trees grow amid mountain mist, absorbing the essence of the forests and producing a uniquely refined tea with deep aroma, gentle bitterness, and a lingering sweet aftertaste.
For the local Hmong people – who account for around 96–98% of the population – tea is not only a livelihood but also an essential part of their cultural identity preserved for generations.
2. The Journey to Preserve Suoi Giang’s Ancient Tea Trees
In 2007, when the management model shifted from a state-owned enterprise to a joint-stock company, the Suoi Giang tea region entered a difficult period. Local farmers lost stable buyers for their fresh tea leaves, and many considered cutting down tea trees to plant other crops for survival.
Facing this situation, Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa and others passionate about Shan Tuyet tea decided to establish the Suoi Giang Cooperative to purchase fresh tea buds, produce tea, and build a sustainable brand for the ancient tea region.
The early years were filled with challenges:
- Lack of capital
- Shortage of manpower
- Limited tea processing techniques
- Difficulty finding stable markets
However, through perseverance and deep love for their homeland tea trees, the Suoi Giang Cooperative gradually stabilized operations from 2010 onward and became one of Vietnam’s representative Shan Tuyet tea producers.
What makes Ms. Thoa especially remarkable is that although she was not born in Suoi Giang, after more than three decades living there, she speaks the Hmong language fluently, understands local customs, and is embraced by the community like family.
3. The Woman Who Brought Shan Tuyet Tea to the World
From ancient Shan Tuyet tea buds, the Suoi Giang Cooperative has developed several signature tea products under the “Tuyet Son Tra” brand:
- Shan Tuyet Green Tea
- Shan Tuyet Black Tea
- Shan Tuyet White Tea
- Shan Tuyet Tangerine Black Tea
Among them, Shan Tuyet White Tea is considered the most special, crafted only from carefully selected young buds harvested from centuries-old tea trees in very limited quantities each year.
Products from the Suoi Giang Cooperative have achieved numerous recognitions:
- OCOP 4-Star Certification
- European ECOCERT Organic Certification
- Suoi Giang Geographical Indication Certification
- HACCP-certified production facility
- Cooperative Star Award 2024
- Second Prize – Outstanding Agricultural Product 2020
Beyond the domestic market, Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea is now exported to the United Kingdom, Japan, and other demanding international markets.
4. Suoi Giang Tea Culture – The Soul of the Mountains
For the Hmong people of Suoi Giang, Shan Tuyet tea trees are considered “trees of heaven.” For generations, tea has been deeply connected to daily life, festivals, and spiritual beliefs.
Every September, the region hosts:
- Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet Tea Festival
- Ancient Tea Tree Honoring Festival
During the sacred tea tree worship ceremony, the most respected elder in the village performs rituals with offerings including rooster, rice wine, and traditional dishes to express gratitude to the tea trees and pray for prosperous harvests.
Since ancient times, the people of Suoi Giang have traditionally boiled fresh tea leaves or brewed green tea in the classic mountain style. Those authentic flavors remain preserved today as part of the cultural memory of Northwest Vietnam.
5. The Next Generation Continuing the Love for Shan Tuyet Tea
Today, accompanying Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa is her son – Nguyen Manh Linh (born in 1995), Vice Director of the Suoi Giang Cooperative.
Young generations like Mr. Linh are continuing the development of Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea through modern thinking, e-commerce, traceability systems, and cultural promotion aimed at younger consumers.
This continuation is not only the story of a tea-making family but also a hopeful future for the ancient tea forests of Suoi Giang.
6. How to Brew Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet Tea
According to guidance from the Suoi Giang Cooperative:
- Use 3–5g of tea for approximately 150ml of water
- Water temperature should be around 80–85°C
- Quickly rinse the tea during the first infusion
- Steep the first brew for 30–60 seconds depending on taste preference
- Increase steeping time by 5–10 seconds for subsequent infusions
Suoi Giang Shan Tuyet tea can be brewed multiple times while maintaining its rich flavor and deep character.
Conclusion
After more than three decades devoted to Suoi Giang, Ms. Lam Thi Kim Thoa has not only built a successful tea cooperative but also helped preserve a valuable piece of Vietnam’s mountain tea heritage.
In an era of rapid industrialization, when many traditional values are gradually fading, the journey of Ms. Thoa and the Suoi Giang Cooperative stands as proof that with enough passion and perseverance, authentic cultural values can still be preserved and shared with the world.