Tea Stories in Toronto: Preserving the Soul of Vietnamese Culture Abroad

On a warm summer day in Toronto, the Canada–Vietnam Cultural & Educational Council (CVCEC) had the opportunity to meet Vietnamese traditional tea artisan Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn—an individual devoted to preserving and sharing the spirit of Vietnamese tea culture for over three decades. The encounter became more than a conversation about tea; it was a reflection on heritage, identity, and cultural continuity within the Vietnamese diaspora.

In the midst of a humid summer afternoon in Toronto, a quiet garden of blooming roses became the setting for a meaningful exchange about culture, memory, and passion.

CVCEC met with Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn, a traditional Vietnamese tea artisan who describes himself as a “wanderer” in a lifelong journey of nurturing and sustaining the spirit of Vietnamese tea. For more than thirty years, his path has taken him from Hà Nội to Tà Xùa, from Lũng Phìn to southern Vietnam, and eventually across continents to North America—all in pursuit of preserving and elevating the cultural value of Vietnamese tea.

Seated beside a carefully prepared tea table—complete with traditional clay teapots and the soft resonance of the đàn nguyệt (moon lute)—the conversation extended far beyond brewing techniques. It touched upon the philosophy of tea: patience, stillness, connection, and reflection.

One question continues to guide his journey:

“Why is Vietnamese tea so exceptional, yet the world has not fully recognized its true value?”

Vietnamese tea is not merely a beverage. It is memory. It is heritage. It is mindfulness embodied in everyday life. It carries the essence of mountains, forests, and generations who have cultivated not only tea leaves, but also a cultural way of being.

For Vietnamese communities living abroad, tea becomes even more meaningful. It is a quiet reminder of home—of ancestral lands and shared traditions—amid the ever-changing rhythm of modern global life.

This encounter in Toronto was not simply an introduction to Vietnamese tea craftsmanship; it was an invitation to reflect on how cultural heritage can be preserved, practiced, and passed on in diaspora communities.

CVCEC extends sincere appreciation for the opportunity to engage in this dialogue and to witness firsthand the dedication of individuals committed to safeguarding Vietnamese cultural roots across borders.

For those in Canada who cherish Vietnamese heritage, we invite you to explore and experience the stories behind Vietnamese tea—and to follow upcoming cultural initiatives organized by the Canada–Vietnam Cultural & Educational Council.