Experts Converge at World Tea Fest to Discuss Tea’s Role as a Bridge for Health, Culture, Dialogue, Education, and Community Prosperity

Mr. Mori shared his profound realization from working across Japan, Vietnam, and other countries that tea holds a unique power—the power to connect people. The bonds and encounters forged over tea are cherished memories that might never have existed without this beverage. Regardless of cultural, religious, or ideological differences, sharing a cup of tea fosters openness, understanding, and empathy. Thus, he firmly believes that tea is a beverage embodying the spirit of peace.

Throughout history, tea has facilitated dialogue, symbolizing understanding and friendship across national borders. This shared cultural heritage has been preserved by humanity. However, these values are no longer naturally sustained in today’s world.

Climate change, rural depopulation, youth abandoning agriculture, and the challenges of modern times are causing tea culture, tea knowledge, and its connective power to fade.

Therefore, Mr. Mori emphasized that those living in this era have a responsibility to preserve, recreate, and pass on tea’s values in ways suited to the future. This requires: delicately showcasing tea’s finest qualities; safeguarding and transmitting tea culture to future generations; and, crucially, creating an environment where tea makers can thrive both materially and spiritually.

When these efforts converge, tea will continue to serve as a bridge fostering health, culture, dialogue, education, and prosperity for communities—paving the way for a more peaceful and sustainable future.

The Tea Summit featured two in-depth sessions: the morning session themed “Tea – The Beverage of the Future” and the afternoon session titled “5000 Years of Vietnamese Tea Civilization – Research, Authors, and Works.”

During the morning session, speakers and guests analyzed the prospects of the Vietnamese and global tea industries, identified emerging consumer trends, discussed the economic value of tea products, and explored tea’s growing importance in health, trade, and modern cultural diplomacy.

Under the themes “Tea – A Choice for a Healthy Future” and “Tea Diplomacy – A Global Cultural Symbol,” Dr. Phạm Hồng Hà, tea scholar Trịnh Quang Dũng, and Dr. Nguyễn Phước Hải Trung provided comprehensive insights into tea production and consumption domestically and internationally. They highlighted new development opportunities for Vietnam’s tea industry and examined tea’s health benefits, particularly its link to the longevity of the Japanese people.

The afternoon session offered an exploration of Vietnamese tea civilization’s history and value through the “5000 Years of Vietnamese Tea Civilization – Research, Authors, and Works” session, featuring scholarly and artistic activities. A highlight was the introduction of Trịnh Quang Dũng’s 844-page work, “5000 Years of Vietnamese Tea Civilization,” documenting Vietnam’s 5,000-year tea culture.

This book is considered a significant academic milestone, reinforcing Vietnamese tea’s position on the global tea map. A themed exhibition showcasing manuscripts, research materials, and book giveaways for attendees was also held.

Notably, artist Trịnh Quang Vũ unveiled his artwork “History of Vietnamese Tea,” artistically depicting the tea plant’s journey through various eras. His pieces add an emotional layer to the tea civilization narrative, blending visual art with cultural heritage.

Another highlight was the introduction of Japanese scholar Matsushita Satoru’s research, “The Origins of Tea Worldwide,” culminating from over 70 years of global tea region surveys. Mr. Goto Hirosato, representing the author, presented the International Tea Festival 2025 organizing committee with a valuable photo collection documenting this seven-decade research journey. This gift not only holds rare archival value but also symbolizes deep academic connections between Vietnam and the global tea research community.

Insights from research, arts, agriculture, and culture are expected to create a comprehensive view of Vietnamese tea’s heritage and future. With its multidimensional content and participation from leading speakers, the Tea Summit became a key highlight of the International Tea Festival 2025, opening new avenues for the sustainable development of the tea industry in a globalized context.