Vietnamese tea: Sip for the hospitality and connection

If you’ve ever traveled through Vietnam, chances are you’ve been handed a tiny cup of tea before you even got a chance to sit down. Maybe it was at a homestay in the north, a sidewalk café in Saigon, or a shop where you were just browsing. One thing’s for sure: in Vietnam, tea isn’t just a drink. It’s a gesture - a warm, simple way of saying “welcome.”

What is iced tea (Trà đá)?

This isn’t just a drink, it’s Vietnam’s social glue. Trà đá is Vietnam’s MVP of refreshment - green tea brewed strong, poured over a glass crammed with ice, and served with zero pretension. In Saigon, it’s often made with leaves from Thái Nguyên’s rolling hills, giving it that crisp, slightly bitter zing that cuts through the city’s humidity like a ninja. You might catch a stall tossing in a lime wedge or a sprinkle of sugar for a southern twist, but the classic keeps it raw and real - no frills, just chills.

Can you get iced tea in a Vietnamese restaurant?

Yes. It’s at every phở joint, bánh xèo cart, and hole-in-the-wall café, costing next to nothing (5,000-10,000 VND, aka 20-40 cents USD) or straight-up free with your meal. It’s the drink that fuels Saigon’s non-stop hustle-students cramming at sidewalk stalls, aunties swapping market gossip, or expats pretending they’ve mastered the art of crossing Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh street. Trà đá is the great unifier, turning strangers into homies over a clink of icy glasses.

Vietnamese tea culture

Before coffee cultural became Vietnam’s global claim to fame, the country was already steeping something special.

Up in the misty northern mountains, ethnic groups like the H’mong were brewing wild shan tuyết tea from ancient trees older than your grandma’s grandma. This wasn't about clout; it was medicine, ritual, and soul fuel.

Fast forward to the dynasties, tea made its way into royal courts and Zen monasteries, where monks sipped slowly and reflected deeply (kinda like early mindfulness, minus the Instagram quotes). Then the French showed up, clocked the tea game, and turned it into a full-blown export biz.

Now? Tea is everywhere. In plastic cups on Saigon sidewalks, on family altars, at weddings, and even during motorbike repair breaks. Vietnamese tea didn’t just survive history, it poured itself into daily life, one tiny glass at a time.

From the street drink to wedding ceremony ritual

In Vietnamese weddings, tea isn’t just a nice touch, it’s the heart of the tradition. During the lễ rót trà (tea pouring ceremony), the bride and groom serve steaming hot tea, never cold to their elders. Why hot? Because warmth symbolizes sincerity, respect, and connection. It’s a sign that this moment matters.

The couple kneels in front of their parents, grandparents, and other senior family members. With both hands, they pour the tea slowly, carefully. After each cup is offered, they bow deeply. It’s a powerful gesture: thanking the people who raised them, honoring their roots, and asking for blessings as they start their new life together.

There’s no rushing here. Every movement is intentional. It’s quiet, heartfelt, and honestly one of the most emotional parts of the whole wedding. The clinking of porcelain, the rising steam, the soft words exchanged, it's a pause in the celebration that reminds everyone what marriage is really about: family, gratitude, and legacy.

Discover These Five Popular Vietnamese Tea Flavors

1. Oolong Tea
Oolong is like that stylish friend who always shows up perfectly balanced, not too green, not too black, just right. Grown in the misty hills of places like Da Lat or Bao Loc, oolong tea brings all the subtle floral notes and a buttery finish that makes you go “wait, was that… orchid?” It’s semi-oxidized, which basically means it’s been through just enough chaos to become interesting, but not bitter. Kinda like a reformed party kid who now meditates and runs a kombucha side hustle.

2. Black Tea
Black tea doesn’t beat around the bush. It’s bold, dark, and here to wake you up and spill the tea. But plot twist-it wasn’t born here. The French brought black tea to Vietnam back in the colonial days, planting it in Cau Dat (Da Lat) and realizing this land could grow leaves with real bite. Since then, Vietnam’s been cranking out black tea with a robust, slightly malty flavor that hits like a Vietnamese coffee but in leaf form. This tea’s got some history, some edge, and zero time for your indecisiveness. It’s for people who like their mornings strong and their drinks stronger.

3. Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is basically your crush in a cup-light, floral, and a little intoxicating. In Vietnam, it’s often green tea blended with real jasmine blossoms that have been doing their thing overnight, infusing the leaves with that swoon-worthy fragrance. It smells like a spring romance and tastes like soft poetry. This tea will smile at you sweetly… then ghost you halfway through the cup. Classic.

4. Lotus Tea

Lotus tea is the wise elder of Vietnamese teas, the one with all the stories and a vibe that says, “I’ve seen some things.” Back in the royal days, they literally stuffed green tea leaves into lotus flowers overnight to capture that delicate, perfumey magic. This tea smells like peace and tastes like a gentle reminder to slow the heck down. It’s classy, elegant, and lowkey spiritual-definitely not made for chugging during your email grind.

5. Shan Tuyết

Shan Tuyết (Snow Mountain Tea) is that rugged, mysterious wanderer who lives off-grid and probably writes poetry in a hammock somewhere in Hà Giang. Picked from wild ancient tea trees that have been around for centuries, this tea is earthy, complex, and a bit wild-like nature brewed it just for fun. Whether it’s white, green, or black, Shan Tuyết always tastes like the highlands and makes you feel like you’ve just meditated without actually meditating.

Where to find all these good teas in Saigon?

Looking for a souvenir that’s not cheesy or mass-produced? Vietnamese tea is a total series, it’s light, meaningful, and packs serious cultural flavor. Saigon’s got a bunch of spots where you can pick up beautifully packaged teas that make perfect gifts for friends, fam, or even your boss. From delicate lotus-scented green tea to bold oolong from the highlands, these places have your gifting game covered:

Trà Việt (Vietnamese Tea House)
Address: Multiple locations & online
Premium teas like lotus, jasmine, and oolong in sleek, gift-ready packaging
L’angfarm
Address: Multiple locations & online
Herbal teas from Da Lat (artichoke, mulberry, ginger) in colorful, affordable gift boxes
Partea – English Tea Room
Address: 42 Nguyễn Huệ, District 1
Mix-and-match tea jars with cute packaging - great for casual, creative gifts
Phuc Long
Address: Multiple locations & online
Phuc Long is a well-known Vietnamese tea brand and café chain, popular among locals for its bold tea flavors. It’s easy to find across Vietnam, especially in big cities like Saigon and Hanoi.
Affordable, high-quality oolong and jasmine teas

You can also check our guide: Vietnam Souvenirs: Nine of the Most Treasured Keepsakes for many great gift ideas to bring home.

Cultural Insights