Tien Yen Farmstay turns tea hills into experiential destinations

If in the past, residents of the Tan Cuong tea region (Thai Nguyen) were only accustomed to taking care of, harvesting, and processing tea, today many households have become "ambassadors" introducing tea culture to tourists. One exemplary model is the Tien Yen Tea and Community Tourism Cooperative (Tien Yen Cooperative), led by Mr. Bui Trong Dai.

Born and raised in a family attached to tea plants for generations, Mr. Dai was once like many other locals, focusing solely on production and preserving the traditional craft left by his ancestors. The turning point arrived when he attended training classes and studied community tourism models under the Rural Tourism Development Program associated with building new rural areas.

Through study trips, Mr. Dai realized that tea is not merely a crop that brings income, but also a cultural heritage that contains stories about history, farming practices, and the lives of Tan Cuong locals. If exploited properly, those very values become unique tourism products.

From that thought, he set out to build Tien Yen Farmstay with the aim of bringing tourists closer to the lives of tea growers. In 2025, the farmstay officially opened, quickly becoming one of the featured destinations in the "Thai Nguyen Culinary Tour 2025" Famtrip program.

Across an area of over 3 hectares, Tien Yen Farmstay was thoroughly invested in with nearly 1,000 meters of concrete paths winding around tea hills, a system of lakes, wooden bridges, resting pavilions, experience areas, a community hall, and 6 high-standard guest rooms. Every item was designed in harmony with the natural landscape, overlooking lush green tea hills where visitors can greet the sunrise, breathe fresh air, and feel the peaceful rhythm of midland life.

Coming here, visitors not only savor cups of Tan Cuong tea but also experience the full journey "from tea bud to tea cup." They can hand-pick young tea buds, learn traditional tea-roasting techniques, discover processing protocols, and participate in "tea maiden" interaction sessions where locals share stories about tea plants, customs, practices, and the culture of a land famed for its tea. These interactive activities not only provide visitors with relaxation but also help them appreciate the hard work of farmers behind each handcrafted tea product.

Not stopping at tea, cuisine is also a highlight of Tien Yen Farmstay. Dishes like braised fish with green tea, green tea peanut candy, or tea cakes offer novel experiences, combining traditional flavors with culinary creativity.

According to Mr. Bui Trong Dai, since opening, Tien Yen Farmstay has welcomed about 2,000-3,000 visitors every month. Roughly 60% of tourists purchase tea and local specialties as gifts. Besides domestic visitors, many delegations from Europe and North America express delight with the close-to-nature space that still fulfills high service standards.

"The happiest thing is that the image of Tan Cuong tea is promoted more widely. Many tourists, after returning home, still contact us to order tea, send thanks, and regard this as one of their most memorable experiences when exploring Vietnam," Mr. Dai shared.

The reality from Tien Yen Farmstay shows that when farmers know how to harness the cultural value of their products, tea plants are sold not only as commodities but also become an experience, a story, and a beautiful memory for tourists. This is also an appropriate direction in a market context increasingly demanding added value, traceability, and distinct experiences.

Tien Yen Farmstay is a renowned community tourism and eco-tourism destination spanning over 3 hectares, nestled amidst the specialty tea-growing region of Tan Cuong, Thai Nguyen. It stands out with its lush green tea hills, winding walking paths, a lake, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and activities offering experiences related to traditional tea culture.

With the companionship of local authorities and the leading role of cooperatives, the Tan Cuong tea region is step-by-step transforming from a traditional raw material zone into a multi-value agricultural economy model. Green tea hills yield not only fragrant cups of tea, but also open up experiential spaces, contributing to elevating the Tan Cuong tea brand and driving socio-economic development in a sustainable direction. The combination of traditional agriculture and tourism services is becoming a new trend, creating momentum for rural areas to develop a more sustainable and multi-valued economy.