A friendly Thai Nguyen

In the last days of June, the rain was continuous, thunder and lightning "chased" in the sky, but Thai Nguyen City still glowed with a strange vitality. Not only because of the enthusiastic applause cheering for the Muay Thai fighters, but also by the ringside there were friendly meetings and conversations between guests from many countries around the world.

International guests enjoy Thai Nguyen tea.

Right outside the corridor of the Gymnasium, small tea tables are set up in a simple and delicate way, bearing the identity of Vietnamese tea culture. On the tables made of bamboo from the Viet Bac forest, there are traditional tea sets and a plate of peanut candy, a rustic gift from the countryside but which makes many international visitors surprised and delighted.

A guest from Australia, Mr. Peter Daniels, sipped his tea and smiled happily: I saw Thai Nguyen tea on the internet, so the first time I tasted it, I was very excited. I drank it slowly to fully appreciate the aroma and flavor of the tea. And the peanut candy, the spice that makes the cup of tea even more delicious.

The story of tea and peanut candy gradually opened up a more exciting atmosphere. The international guests began to open up and share with each other as if they had known each other for a long time. Ms. Pornthip, a guest from Thailand, shared: At first, I was a bit worried because I had never been to Thai Nguyen before, but as soon as I arrived at Noi Bai airport, my friends and I were warmly welcomed. I was especially impressed when we were invited to drink tea and eat peanut candy right in the lobby of the stadium.

Many international visitors affirm that Thai Nguyen is a friendly destination.

The 2025 Asian Muay Thai Championship is a large-scale continental sporting event. The tournament brings together more than 300 athletes, coaches and referees from 18 countries and territories. But here, the athletes do not just “talk” to each other with knee and elbow strikes on the ring, but also meet, exchange, share competition experiences and introduce their hometowns to friends. And right outside the large hall next to it are tea tables of Thai Nguyen people inviting guests to show their hospitality.

Mr. Mohammad Fahim from Afghanistan drank tea and practiced speaking Vietnamese. He commented: Security in Thai Nguyen is very good. People are friendly and easy to talk to. Mr. Ahmed Al-Karim, a guest from Iraq, said: What touched me was the way Thai Nguyen people are willing to help foreign guests. Especially the volunteers from Thai Nguyen University, they speak English very well. They introduced us to the customs and traditional culture of the ethnic groups in Viet Bac, including Then singing with a 3-stringed instrument made from a dried gourd.

Although they did not understand the rhythm of Then singing or Tinh lute, many international guests were still excited to tap their hands on the table, their faces bright and enjoying tea with peanut candy. Mr. Rajeev Desai, a guest from India, shared: In our country, there are many famous types of tea such as Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiri, but the most famous is Masala chai tea. It is black tea combined with spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon when drinking. Therefore, the first time I drank Thai Nguyen tea, I felt the elegance of the mountain flavor. Sitting and drinking Thai Nguyen tea with peanut candy, I felt peaceful and slowed down.

Tea and peanut candy help many international guests stay awake while working.

When asked about their impressions of Thai Nguyen cuisine , many guests spoke in broken Vietnamese: Pho, banh chung, com lam, xoi ngu sac, hill-roaming chicken, bamboo shoots stuffed with meat, smoked meat. Mr. Nasir Khan from Pakistan laughed heartily: Peanut candy made from tea and sweet soup is my favorite. When I return home, I will buy peanut candy for my daughter and tea for my friends.

The tea ladies, who are actually officers and actors of the provincial Culture and Arts Center, jokingly said: The international delegation attending the 2025 Asian Muay Thai Championship really likes to drink tea and eat peanut candy. We constantly change the teapot and add more candy to the tea tables. Mr. Karim Hassan, a guest from Iraq, said innocently: The enchanting tea and peanut candy made me eat a lot, drink a lot, I stayed up all night reading until morning.

On this occasion, the Organizing Committee cleverly designed outdoor exchange areas with traditional tea parties; displaying the province's OCOP products such as Tan Cuong tea, Bo Dau banh chung and promoting the province's economic and tourism potential and strengths. The booths attracted thousands of domestic and international tourists to visit, experience, enjoy tea and learn about the province's areas and destinations.

Many tourists left promises to return to Thai Nguyen with their relatives and friends to visit the Museum of Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures; explore Phuong Hoang Cave; Than Sa Archaeological Site and other historical and cultural relics.

Ms. Park Jin-ho, a guest from Korea, confidently said: Where I live, there are tea regions stretching to the mountainside, so when I come to Thai Nguyen, I feel as close as if I were at home. What's more interesting is that when I come to Thai Nguyen, when I drink tea, I often have peanut candy with it. In Korea, when I drink tea, I often have rice cakes with it.

Volunteers are always available to assist international visitors.

Over the tea table, there were many crisp stories, friendly smiles, and firm handshakes between guests from many countries around the world. The 2025 Asian Muay Thai Championship is not only a major sporting arena of the continent, but also a cultural bridge, where friends in the "home" of Asia meet, exchange, and talk to each other about the aspiration for peace and cooperation for development. And a cup of tea and a bar of peanut candy are the reasons for international guests to sit together longer, be more friendly, and understand each other better.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202506/mot-thai-nguyen-than-thien-2da0ef2/