Phong Tho, a border district with China in the northwestern province of Lai Chau, is home to over 8,000 ancient tea trees, the largest number of such trees in the region.
Phong Tho, a border district with China in the northwestern province of Lai Chau, is home to over 8,000 ancient tea trees, the largest number of such trees in the region.
The ancient trees are concentrated mainly in six communes – Mo Si San, Si Lo Lau, Pa Vay Su, Tung Qua Lin, Sin Suoi, Ho, and Hoang Then.
Mo Si San commune, about 80km from Lai Chau city and over 2,000m above sea level, has more than 1,700 trees, some of which are up to 900 years old.
The unique climate and soil conditions of the commune gives the drink made from these ancient tea trees a distinctive flavour.
In Mo Si San, villagers harvest tea only once a year, from late February to April, when the ancient trees yield the best quality leaves. Additionally, due to the year-round cloud cover and low temperature at high altitudes, the trees here can only produce new leaves during this time of the year.
A specialty of the region is the wild Shan Tuyet tea that grows at altitudes from 2,000-2,500m above sea level. These trees are considered treasures and have been nurtured by the Dao ethnic community in Mo Si San…