Hanoi’s lotus tea-making recognized as national intangible cultural heritage

Hanoi's traditional lotus tea craft in Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The trade in Quang An has a long history, closely linked to the famous West Lake area. 

Nguyen Thi Dan, centenarian lotus tea artisan in Quang An, Tay Ho, Hanoi. Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

Long ago, Quang An locals skillfully marinated Tan Cuong green tea from Vietnam's northern province of Thai Nguyen (the largest tea growing area in Vietnam) with Bach Diep lotus grown in West Lake. The result is a distinctive and unique flavor of lotus-scented tea that cannot be found anywhere else.

According to Nguyen Thi Dan, a century-old Quang An lotus tea artisan, making the finest tasting lotus tea requires finesse and attention to detail.

"The lotus bulbs are harvested early in the morning when they are at their purest. Once brought home, they must be thoroughly washed before the tea is infused. It takes one to two weeks to make the best quality lotus-scented tea. A well-made pot of tea will have a clear green-yellow liquid. Sipping lotus tea is a soothing and relaxing experience," said Dan.

She added that Quang An is a vast lotus-growing area in the capital and also the cradle of the famous lotus-scented tea craft. "The locals have preserved the age-old tradition and put a lot of effort into keeping it alive. The tea is not only a favorite specialty of tourists, but also a representation of Hanoi's culinary heritage," Dan stressed.

The recognition as a national intangible cultural treasure encourages artists to continue promoting the capital's thousand-year-old cultural heritage. It provides an additional opportunity to showcase Hanoi's tourism and cultural attributes to domestic and foreign travelers.

Dan's daughter aromatizes the tea with lotus pistil, giving the tea a distinctive and unique flavor that cannot be found elsewhere.