Vietnam-Sri Lanka tea cultural exchange: Spreading subtle and friendly values
WVR - On October 26, on the occasion of Vietnamese Women's Day and in response to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Sri Lanka, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Light of Asia Center, organized the Vietnam-Sri Lanka tea cultural exchange program.
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| The Vietnam-Sri Lanka tea cultural exchange program. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka) |
The event attracted a large number of female representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, international organizations, Sri Lankan agencies, businesses, and the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka. Among the attendees were Mrs. Sarah Salih, the spouse of the Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, as the guest of honour, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Center, and tea artisans from both countries.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam emphasized that tea is not just a beverage but also a part of the cultural and spiritual life, reflecting the hospitality and community spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Like in Sri Lanka, the image of Vietnamese women is closely associated with tea, from planting, harvesting, to processing and brewing.
The Ambassador expressed her hope that through cultural exchange activities, the people of the two countries, especially women, will continue to strengthen friendship, understanding, and mutual support.
The spouse of the Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament welcomed the initiative of the Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka, stating that the event not only introduces and honors the cultural values of both countries but also acknowledges and highlights the contributions of women to family and society.
Mrs. Sarah Salih highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka to economic and social development and the spreading of Vietnamese cultural values in the region.
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| The event attracted a large number of female representatives. |
The highlight of the program was the Vietnamese lotus tea scenting art performance by artisan Lam Thuy Linh, founder of the Viet Link Tea brand. In a serene setting with a gentle lotus fragrance, artisan Linh demonstrated the manual lotus tea scenting process - a cultural feature showcasing the subtlety and harmonious living philosophy of the Vietnamese people.
Guests enjoyed the experience of making lotus tea, learning the meticulous tea brewing process, from preparing the tea, water to brewing tools, and then savoring the pure taste of natural lotus fragrance.
Following this, Mr. Niranjan Weerasinghe, a tea expert from Jafferjee Brothers Group, introduced Ceylon tea - Sri Lanka's pride, renowned worldwide for its strong aroma, rich flavor, and sophisticated processing techniques.
Participants not only learned about the history and characteristics of Sri Lankan tea but also directly experienced the process of tasting various unique teas with the expert.
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| Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam emphasized that tea is a part of the cultural and spiritual life, reflecting the hospitality and community spirit of the Vietnamese people. |
The program concluded with a Sogetsu flower arranging art performance and demonstration by artist Sreeni Devika De Silva. Each movement was performed slowly, focusing on balance, space, and natural philosophy.
Ambassadors' wives and female representatives from the Vietnamese community enthusiastically practiced flower arranging, creating creative and beautiful works that added to the tea-tasting atmosphere. In the culinary segment at the end of the program, guests enjoyed Vietnamese bread, spring rolls, salads, paired with Sri Lankan tea and sweets.
This tea cultural exchange event not only introduced the traditional tea brewing and drinking art of Vietnam and Sri Lanka but also contributed to enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries.
This activity is part of a series of cultural diplomacy initiatives by the Vietnamese Embassy to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations (1970-2025).
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| Like in Sri Lanka, the image of Vietnamese women is closely associated with tea. |
Viet Link Tea is a hub connecting Vietnamese tea brands, especially ancient tea, serving as a bridge for tea lovers - a place where people can share, understand, and spread their love for Vietnamese tea culture. Viet Link Tea is bringing the taste of Vietnamese tea closer to everyone, not only domestically but also regionally and globally.
The Light of Asia Center was established with the aim of introducing, preserving, and spreading cultural values, philosophy, and art to both domestic and international communities.
The center regularly organizes cultural exchange programs, art performances, academic seminars, film screenings, exhibitions, and serves as a venue connecting artists, scholars, and those interested in Eastern culture.
Some images from the Vietnam-Sri Lanka tea cultural exchange program:
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(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka)
