BOOKING EXPERIENCE
A Journey Through the Fragrance and Culture of Lotus Tea
Step into the world of Vietnam’s royal tea culture and discover the elegance of lotus tea, as once enjoyed by emperors and mandarins. This exclusive, hands-on experience, available at our Tea House locations in both Saigon and Hanoi, offers a 60-minute journey into the meticulous rituals, delicate aromas, and refined techniques that have been preserved through generations. Tea lovers, cultural explorers, and curious travelers will not only taste the exquisite lotus tea but also learn about the centuries-old traditions and ceremonial practices that made tea an integral part of Vietnam’s royal heritage. Join us to savor the artistry, history, and serenity of Vietnam’s tea culture in a truly unforgettable experience.
🕐 Program Overview
1. Welcome & Cultural Introduction (5 mins)
Begin your journey with a fascinating introduction to Vietnam’s rich tea heritage. Learn about the historical roots and cultural significance of tea in Vietnamese daily life and ceremonies. You’ll also discover the unique story behind the renowned West Lake Lotus Tea — a time-honored delicacy that reflects the elegance and artistry of Vietnamese tradition — and how this rare tea is carefully handcrafted using real lotus flowers.
2. Live Tea Infusion Demonstration (10 mins)
Witness a captivating live performance by a skilled tea artisan, who will demonstrate the refined and almost forgotten art of brewing tea inside fresh lotus buds. This intricate method, passed down through generations, transforms a simple tea ritual into a poetic and immersive experience, showcasing the harmony between nature, patience, and craftsmanship.
3. Tea Tasting: Tay Ho Lotus Tea (10 mins)
Savor the soft, enchanting aroma and refined, delicate taste of authentic West Lake lotus tea—one of Vietnam’s most iconic and treasured brews. This exquisite tea, carefully infused with the petals of fresh lotus flowers from West Lake, has been cherished for centuries for its harmonious balance of subtle floral notes, gentle sweetness, and smooth, lingering finish. During this tasting, you will not only experience the elegance of its flavor but also connect with the rich history and traditions of Vietnamese tea culture, once enjoyed by emperors and the royal court. Every sip invites you to pause, appreciate the artistry of hand-scented lotus tea, and immerse yourself in a sensory journey that reflects the grace and refinement of Vietnam’s heritage.
4. Royal Tea Ritual & Cultural Insights (10 mins)
Discover the tea rituals of Vietnam’s Nguyễn emperors. From etiquette to storytelling, you’ll explore how tea represented harmony, intellect, and connection in the royal court.
5. Hands-on Lotus Tea Infusion (15 mins)
Take part in a hands-on activity where you will scent your own tea with a fresh lotus blossom. This unique experience lets you bond with tea through touch, aroma, and tradition.
6. Gift & Souvenir Moment (5 mins)
Receive a one-of-a-kind gift: your own lotus flower filled with scented tea, plus a beautifully designed Tea Show Guidebook to take home and share the ritual with others.
What Makes This Experience Special?
Unlike a typical tea ceremony, this experience offers a deeper journey into the vibrant traditions of Vietnamese tea culture.
You will witness a rare tea demonstration recreating the traditional lotus tea brewing method, observe the refined tea-making rituals of Vietnamese people, and directly participate in the process of creating your own lotus-scented tea.
This experience combines storytelling, sensory exploration, and hands-on learning, allowing visitors to interact with Vietnamese culture in an authentic and meaningful way. Each step is carefully designed to help visitors understand the art behind lotus tea and the philosophy behind each cup.
The tranquil atmosphere of the tea house, combined with the gentle fragrance of lotus and tea, creates a unique space where visitors can relax, enjoy, and rediscover the beauty of traditional crafts.
Things you will learn
On this culturally rich tea journey, visitors will gain insightful perspectives on many fascinating aspects of Vietnam’s national tea tradition:
• The history and cultural significance of tea in Vietnam
• The story and legacy of West Lake Lotus Tea
• Traditional Vietnamese tea brewing techniques
• How tea masters evaluate aroma, color, and flavor
• The art of infusing tea with fresh lotus flowers
• The philosophy of mindfulness and harmony in the tea culture of Vietnam.
This experience offers a rare opportunity to explore how tea culture reflects profound values in Vietnamese life, including respect for nature, appreciation for craftsmanship, and the beauty of living at a slower pace.
A Multisensory Cultural Experience
The lotus tea experience awakens all five senses.
You will witness the elegant tea-making process, smell the delicate aroma of fresh lotus flowers, taste the gentle sweetness of lotus-infused tea, listen to relaxing stories about tea ceremony traditions, and feel the texture of tea leaves and petals as you create your own masterpiece.
Each moment invites you to become more present and attentive—qualities that lie at the heart of traditional tea ceremony culture.
This experience is suitable for this audience.
This tea experience is designed for travelers who want to explore Vietnamese culture in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Particularly suitable for:
• Tea lovers who want to discover rare traditional teas
• Cultural explorers interested in Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
• Travelers seeking authentic local experiences
• Couples and groups of friends looking for relaxing activities
• Visitors who appreciate art, traditions, and crafts.
No prior tea knowledge is required. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned tea enthusiast, this experience will offer fresh perspectives and memorable moments
A Peaceful Cultural Escape
In the hustle and bustle of modern travel, moments of quiet reflection are rare. This tea experience invites you to pause, breathe, and appreciate the subtle beauty of Vietnamese tea culture.
As the delicate scent of lotus blossoms fills the room and the tea slowly reveals its layers of flavor, you’ll realize that tea is more than just a beverage—it’s a moment of connection, an art form, and a bridge between tradition and modern life.
Bringing Home a Part of Vietnamese Tradition
At the end of the experience, you will leave not only with new knowledge and memories but also with handcrafted lotus tea made by your own hands.
Location
1️⃣ Trà Việt – Tea House (Ho Chi Minh City)
Address: 2nd & 3rd Floor, 19 Hai Trieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Directions:
Located in the heart of District 1, just 5 minutes’ walk from Bitexco Tower and 7 minutes from Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
From Bitexco Tower, head onto Hai Trieu Street and walk straight for about 300 meters; the building at No. 19 is easy to spot.
The tea house occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors, with a clear sign reading “Trà Việt – Tea House”.
Easily accessible by Grab, taxi, or on foot from nearby landmarks.
2️⃣ Trà Việt – Tea House (Hanoi)
Address: No.14 Duong Thanh Street, Hoang Kiem Ward, Hanoi
Directions: Located on Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, about 900 meters from Hoan Kiem Lake, making it convenient for sightseeing. The area is quiet, and from the entrance gate, you can walk straight in to easily spot the “Trà Việt” sign.
What’s Included
Live tea infusion performance
Tea tasting session
Hands-on lotus tea scenting activity
1 lotus flower filled with your own tea blend
Tea Show Guidebook in English
Photo opportunities in a traditional tea setting
English-speaking host & artisan
Not Included
Transportation to the venue
Meals or drinks outside the tea tasting
Additional tea purchases (available on request)
Visitors from Switzerland –
Beautiful Introduction to Vietnamese Tea Culture
We had been looking for a proper introduction to Vietnamese tea after enjoying it so often at restaurants, and the Lotus Tea Show turned out to be the perfect experience.
If we could add one suggestion, it would be wonderful to include an additional tasting of different Vietnamese teas (such as green tea, ginger tea, or rice tea) as described in the guidebook, along with traditional tea snacks like mung bean cake or lotus seeds. An extra course like that would make the experience even richer.