26th of November, 2016, on the main stage of Information and Culture Center of Ho Guom officially hosted Tea Masters Cup Vietnam 2016–2017.
At 8.30 am, 26th of November, 2016, on the main stage of Information and Culture Center of Ho Guom officially hosted Tea Masters Cup Vietnam 2016–2017 (TMC VN 2016–2017). This qualifying national round was held by Vietnam Tea Association in corporation with: The People Committee of Hoan Kiem district and Hanoi Promotion Agency.
This year main sponsor is The Vietnam National Tea — Joint Stock Cooperation (Vinatea) And there are 6 other co-sponsors which are: Australian Tea Masters Association, Viet Taste Business Joint stock company, Vietnam Fairtrade project, Doi sang va tieu dung Newspaper, Tam Duong tea Joint stock company — Lai Chau, Ha Thai tea Joint stock company — Thai Nguyen.
The VIP guests participating and cutting inauguration band of TMC VN 2016–2017 are Mr. Nguyen Huu Tai (Chairman of Vietnam Tea Association, the national organizing committee, official sponsor of TMC VN), Mr. Nguyen Anh Quan (Vice President of The People Committee of Hoan Kiem District).
Along with the judges committee of professionals and experts in tea industry, including: Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hong (Head of Judges Committee, Head of Organizing Committee of TMC VN 2016–2017), Mr. Ramaz Chanturiya (General Director of Association of Russian Tea and Coffee, Companies, the Chairman of Tea Masters Cup), Ms. Sharyn Johnston (Director of Australian Tea Masters Cup Pty Ltd), Mr. Hasan Onder (Vice Chairman and General Coordinator of Rize Commodity Exchange Turkey), Mr. Lai Cao Le (Chairman of Vinatea), Mr. Hoang Anh Suong (Journalist, Tea Masters), Mr. Duong Van Hung (President of Vietnam Royal Chef association), Mr. Doan Hung Son (Creativity award of Tea Masters Cup Vietnam), Mrs. Tran Thi Mong Kieu (Champion in Tea Preparation Tea masters Cup Vietnam 2015–2016), Mr. Hoang Dinh Nhu (Technical Judge).
And 20 contestants from all over Vietnam, media channels, domestic tea producers and a huge number of Vietnamese tea lovers. Those 20 young talents from different counties of Vietnam has participated and competed in 3 categories: Tea Preparation, Tea Pairing and Tea Tasting. While contestants ages range from 20–58, they all delivered amazing performance of tea preparation, tea pairing and tea tasting which showed their skill, creativity and passion for this rustic beverage.
In this way, TMC VN 2016–2017 could be considered as a national union of young talents in tea field, honoring quintessence of Vietnam tea culture, encouraging youngsters who have passion for tea and devote thoughts and time to creating new method of tea preparation. This competition has witnessed many compelling performances of 20 talents when they were shining, demonstrating their own skills on stage.
After a long day of intense competitions, TMC VN 2016–2017 has chosen and handed trophy to 3 champions of 3 categories, who are Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung from Hanoi (Tea Preparation), Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quy from Hanoi (Tea Pairing), Mrs. Pham Thi Quyen from Hanoi (Tea Tasting).
One interesting fact, our two champion in Tea Preparation and Tea Pairing: Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quyen both participated in last year TMC Vietnam and this year they made successful comeback.
Besides, the organizing committee and judges agreed to hand an additional prize which is Passion Awards to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hue from Lam Dong. Because, despite being the oldest participants (58 year-old) Mrs. Nguyen still attended in all 3 categories and contributed to the judges and the audience high-quality performances. The Organizer hopes that this award would honor the passion for tea of the old generation as well as promote tea drinking culture among young generation. This is considered as a considerable change between TMC VN and the original version of TMC.
And the other 16 contestants were honored with certification for participating with professionalism and passion. The 3 champions will be sent to compete in the international final round of Tea Masters Cup 2017.
There is another activity under the frame work of this year competition which was carried out by the main sponsor Vinatea called “Free tea for pedestrians” in the walking street around Guom lake. While the competition was running on the second floor, two tea booth from Vinatea was set on the first floor and serving free tea for every pedestrians walking by. This campaign received a lot of positive feedbacks with 8000 pedestrians served in one day as well as gained more awareness for Tea Masters Cup Vietnam.
From 28th to 29th, Organizing Committee of Vietnam also organized a tea-tour for all the judges, champions, TMC VN team (18 people) to Suoi Giang, Yen Bai — the land of ancient tea tree. It is the mountainous area blessed with forest of hundred year-old ancient tea trees, producing one of the best teas in Vietnam. Everyone had opportunity to experience nature life, good food, the hospitality from local people as well as share their love for tea, and make new friends when being surrounded by fresh, cool atmosphere and tea forest.
In summary, The Organizing Committee of Tea Masters Cup Vietnam 2016–2017 would like to spend the deepest thank to our main sponsors and co-sponsors, supporters as well as local and national media channels who supported us during this competition, contributing to the success of TMC VN 2016–2017. It is our honor to continue working with all organizations, media channels in the next Tea Masters Cup Vietnam.
