UNESCO introduces Vietnamese tea culture at Hanoi World Culture Festival

Within the framework of the first “World Cultural Festival in Hanoi” taking place from October 10 to 12, 2025 at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the UNESCO Office in Vietnam in collaboration with the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center organized a series of activities to honor the art of Vietnamese tea ceremony – a long-standing cultural practice, imbued with meditation, community connection and harmony between humans and nature.

UNESCO will introduce Vietnamese Tea at the World Cultural Festival. Photo: MH

Accordingly, at the Festival, UNESCO will introduce Vietnamese tea as a living heritage, while affirming the role of culture in sustainable development and international cooperation. In a sacred space closely linked to the history and culture of the nation, the series of activities include: recreating the traditional tea-drinking space within the heritage; performances by tea artisans; and three special tea sessions for international guests with storytelling, ritual experiences, precious tea tasting and dialogue on the role of tea in cultural diplomacy , sustainable development and heritage conservation.

The event is an inheritance and expansion of the spirit from the series “From tea leaves to heritage” in Da Lat, aiming to honor tea heritage as a potential candidate for the title of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, affirmed: “Heritage is not only something to preserve, but also a material to build the future. Through tea, we tell stories about identity, about people, about connection. UNESCO is very pleased to accompany Vietnam on the journey of turning heritage into a driving force for creativity, dialogue and sustainable development.”

The event marks a joint effort to promote and enhance the role of tea culture in community development, sustainable tourism and branding of Vietnamese heritage internationally. This is part of the project “Enhancing local community benefits through strengthening partnerships to promote heritage conservation and sustainable practices”.

The Vietnamese tea party is also part of UNESCO’s comprehensive participation in the Hanoi World Culture Festival, which celebrates culture as a pillar of sustainable development. Through exhibitions, interactions and cultural dialogues, UNESCO showcases its key areas of cooperation with Vietnam in heritage, creativity and cultural diplomacy, reflecting the long-standing, trusting and future-oriented partnership between the two sides.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/unesco-gioi-thieu-van-hoa-tra-viet-nam-tai-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-ha-noi-718959.html