Mr. Hung and Ms. Trang

Meet Mr. Hung and his sister-in-law, Ms. Trang – two quiet yet passionate figures behind one of Vietnam’s most heartfelt tea journeys. Together, they are cultivating not just ancient teas, but a future for Vietnamese tea. Tucked away in a modest tea shop in Hanoi, Mr. Hung’s mission is clear: “Vietnam is in the top five tea exporters in the world,” he says, “but I built this space so people could actually understand our tea.” Every year, for three months in spring, he and his wife return to their small wooden house in the misty mountains of Hoàng Su Phì a humble H’Mông home, surrounded by ancient tea trees, some almost 700 years old. There, they harvest and handcraft their teas in peace, returning in summer to gather lotus flowers for scenting.

For Mr. Hung and his wife, tea is more than a livelihood – it’s a spiritual practice.

The journey into tea began as a student for Mr Hung, looking for part-time work at his uncle Hoàng Anh Sướng’s teahouse – a man known for representing Vietnam at the highest levels of international tea culture. “That’s when I truly fell in love with tea,” Mr. Hung recalls. Though he later worked as an engineer in telecoms, he and his wife eventually left their jobs behind to follow their calling. “My uncle met presidents and kings, but what inspired me most was his devotion to tea. He showed me that this could be a life’s path.”

When Mr. Hung travelled to China to sit for the tea master exam, he met many respected tea professionals. “I asked if they knew Vietnam’s tea,” he remembers. “Many said no. One person even asked if Vietnam still had a war. That broke my heart. I knew then that I had to share our tea heritage with others – to help people see that there’s so much more to Vietnam than a legacy of war.”

Recognition has slowly followed. In 2016, Mr. Hung was awarded the prestigious Tea Masters Cup, a proud moment that affirmed his vision and skill on the world stage. Their teas have since received quality awards, and among their most memorable visitors was the former royal chef of Queen Elizabeth II, who came to their humble Hanoi shop and left with tea in hand.