Ministry of Foreign Affairs joins Thai Nguyen in organizing International Tea Festival 2026
WVR - On the morning of August 20, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National UNESCO Commission of Vietnam Ngo Le Van held a meeting with the working delegation from the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province, led by Nguyen Thi Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. They discussed coordination efforts for organizing the International Tea Festival - Thai Nguyen 2026.
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| The green hues of Hao Dat tea region in anticipation of the Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival. (Source: Thai Nguyen Newspaper) |
With the theme “Thai Nguyen - The Premier Tea,” the Festival is scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 7, 2026, featuring 12 main activities in the provincial center, tea regions, and notable tea craft villages. Coinciding with the 195th anniversary of the establishment of Thai Nguyen Province, the Festival aims to honor the historical, cultural, ecological, and economic values of tea; promote the Thai Nguyen Tea brand, boost tourism, trade promotion, investment, and expand international cooperation.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van praised the proactive approach, determination, and preparation efforts of Thai Nguyen Province. He affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a co-organizer, will closely coordinate and accompany the Province to organize a professional, substantive, effective, and culturally rich Festival.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Festival should be identified as a comprehensive foreign affairs activity, closely linking cultural diplomacy with economic diplomacy, local foreign affairs, and people-to-people exchanges. Through the Festival, the cultural values of Thai Nguyen tea will not only be promoted and spread but also transformed into resources for tourism, trade, investment, science and technology development, and international market expansion.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National UNESCO Commission of Vietnam Ngo Le Van speaking at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assist Thai Nguyen Province in connecting and mobilizing the Diplomatic Corps, foreign representative missions, organizations, associations, businesses, experts, artisans, and international art troupes to attend the Festival; guide protocol, ceremonial, and interpretation work; support external communication, coordinate international press conferences, and connect partners for trade promotion, investment, technology transfer, management capacity enhancement, and market expansion for the Province's tea and agricultural products.
The Deputy Minister affirmed that diplomacy serving development, including cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy, is a key focus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry will continue to play a connecting role, accompany and support localities, contributing to creating “substantive connections, specific cooperation,” bringing local cultural strengths, products, and brands to regional and international markets. The Deputy Minister tasked relevant units to proactively work with Thai Nguyen Province, clearly identify focal points, content, and coordination progress.
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| Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Regarding the preservation and promotion of tea cultural values, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van suggested that Thai Nguyen Province coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to enhance research, inventory, documentation, clarify the community's role, and soon complete the dossier for submission to the competent authorities to consider including Thai Nguyen Tea Culture in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
The National UNESCO Committee of Vietnam is ready to advise, share experiences, and connect suitable experts, aiming to build a long-term roadmap linking heritage preservation with sustainable development, gradually preparing and completing the dossier for submission to UNESCO for consideration of intangible cultural heritage inscription according to the 2003 Convention's regulations, criteria, and procedures.
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| Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province Nguyen Thi Loan speaking at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province Nguyen Thi Loan expressed thanks for the attention, companionship, and practical guidance of Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van. She affirmed that the Province will fully absorb the feedback, promptly complete the plan, and closely coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' units, striving to organize the International Tea Festival - Thai Nguyen 2026 safely, professionally, effectively, richly in identity, and with widespread domestic and international influence.
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| Delegates taking a group photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
