On March 8th, PV Tiền Phong had the opportunity to interview the tea master Hoàng Anh Sướng in Hanoi. He shared his emotions after having tea with billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend on the peak of Bàn Cờ mountain in Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng.
The scene of enjoying tea with billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend on the peak of Bàn Cờ mountain.
Mr. Sướng revealed that two days before the tea session, Bill Gates’ assistant flew to Hanoi to discuss the details of the afternoon tea with him.
“They asked me how the tea meditation session would be like, how long it would last. What would I share with Bill Gates and Paula Hurd? What kind of teas would I offer them? Served in which tea set?… According to the assistant’s choice, I would use an antique tea set, a traditional one that was once used by the noble class in the past, including a fire stove, copper kettle, ash incense burner, tea pot, tea boat, tea cups, tray…,” said Mr. Sướng.
As an experienced tea master who has organized many tea meditation sessions for world leaders and famous tea masters from Japan and China, Mr. Sướng did not feel stressed and the preparation process was quite fast. Moreover, the natural landscape on Bàn Cờ mountain was so beautiful that he and his colleagues only needed to borrow an antique table and chair from a nearby pagoda. Then, they set up the tea utensils. He even invited a nun to join the session.
Hoàng Anh Sướng is a tea artist who specializes in spiritualism, Buddhism, meditation, and tea practice… He is the 6th generation heir of a long-standing tea-making family in Hanoi.
“At exactly 5 p.m., the car carrying Bill Gates and Paula Hurd arrived. All the bodyguards stood below. Two hours before that, the road passing through Bàn Cờ mountain was restricted. I and the nun stood with folded hands, welcoming them with a bright smile. They also responded with friendly smiles. They were dressed casually, wearing T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers, just like ordinary tourists. At that time, the sunlight became milder. The wind blowing from the sea was refreshing. The thin mist made the scenery even more poetic. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd were very delighted,” Mr. Sướng recalled.
After exchanging greetings and best wishes for health and happiness, the tea master invited Bill Gates and his girlfriend to meditate. He handed a small bell which resonated in the peaceful space. He meticulously guided the meditation for the two distinguished guests, starting from their breathing, muscles, smiles… “After about 10 minutes of meditation, we paused. Paula Hurd exclaimed: ‘I feel so peaceful’,” Mr. Sướng recalled.
Tea artist Hoàng Anh Sướng taking a commemorative photo with billionaire Bill Gates after the tea session on Bàn Cờ mountain.
The tea artist further shared that Bill Gates asked him about the presence of Vietnamese tea and he introduced our tea’s origin, ancient tea forests in the North, and the great pride of Vietnamese people in tea. As evidence, he opened his iPad to show the billionaire the photos he took of ancient tea trees in Hoàng Su Phì (Hà Giang), Tủa Chùa (Lai Châu), and Suối Giàng (Yên Bái). The tall and big tea trees, as tall as two people hugging and as high as 5-6 meters, surprised Bill Gates.
“It can be said that we Vietnamese people are one of the tea-loving nations in the world. We drink tea from the time we were still fetuses in our mothers’ wombs, through our mothers. Growing up, the tea cup accompanied us throughout our lives. In the offerings that the groom’s family brings to the bride’s house, there is always tea. On ritual occasions, Tet, Vietnamese people also offer tea. One of the unwritten customs of Vietnamese people is that when guests visit their houses, the first thing to do is to brew tea for them. Today, I would like to invite you to enjoy the lotus tea, the most premium tea of Vietnamese people, which was once reserved for kings, queens, and the upper class…,” Mr. Sướng retold the story to Bill Gates and his girlfriend.
According to the tea master, Bill Gates and Paula Hurd finished their first tea cup quickly and praised its taste. During the tea session, Mr. Sướng introduced the intricate art of brewing lotus tea, and the two guests understood why lotus tea is considered precious and reserved only for kings and queens.
Tea artist Hoàng Anh Sướng preparing for the tea session with the distinguished guests.
He also introduced the tea utensils, guided the selection of teapots, cups, water, brewing techniques, pouring techniques, inviting techniques, and tea appreciation… This time, he switched to serving ancient snow Shan tea from Hà Giang. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd found it fascinating and occasionally added some humor to the conversation. Towards the end of the session, tea master Hoàng Anh Sướng talked about the essence of meditation and philosophy in tea, and the lively conversation lasted until 6:20 p.m., exceeding the scheduled 20 minutes, so he asked them if he could end the session. The billionaire and his girlfriend expressed their thanks and took a commemorative photo.
Mr. Sướng expressed his desire to meet Bill Gates again in Vietnam.
