Shan tea represents an important indigenous tea genetic resource in Vietnam, valued for its adaptability, high productivity, and superior leaf quality. It is predominantly distributed in high-altitude mountainous regions, where many ancient tea trees have developed under natural forest ecosystems for several centuries. Traditional cultivation practices, characterized by low external inputs and minimal use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, support high-quality tea production while helping conserve biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. However, conserving and developing Shan tea in the high mountain areas of Northern Vietnam still faces several limitations, particularly in the naturally distributed Shan tea areas. Issues such as improper harvesting methods, inadequate care leading to poor growth and low yield, spontaneous and fragmented production, and a lack of coordination among stakeholders in production and consumption contribute to these challenges. Additionally, the processed products are not diverse enough, resulting in low value, and many domestic consumers are not fully aware of the value of this rare tea variety, posing a high risk of resource degradation. Based on an analysis of the current situation regarding the conservation and development of Shan tea in the high mountain areas of Northern Vietnam, this paper proposes several solutions aimed at the sustainable development of Shan tea in general and ancient Shan tea trees in particular. These solutions include in situ and ex situ conservation; improved cultivation and management practices (e.g., supplementary organic fertilization, pruning, and plucking); enhanced tea processing technologies; and supportive policy mechanisms.
Keywords: Shan tea, conservation, development, high mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam
Shan tea represents an important indigenous tea genetic resource in Vietnam, valued for its adaptability, high productivity, and superior leaf quality. It is predominantly distributed in high-altitude mountainous regions, where many ancient tea trees have developed under natural forest ecosystems for several centuries. Traditional cultivation practices, characterized by low external inputs and minimal use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, support high-quality tea production while helping conserve biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. However, conserving and developing Shan tea in the high mountain areas of Northern Vietnam still faces several limitations, particularly in the naturally distributed Shan tea areas. Issues such as improper harvesting methods, inadequate care leading to poor growth and low yield, spontaneous and fragmented production, and a lack of coordination among stakeholders in production and consumption contribute to these challenges. Additionally, the processed products are not diverse enough, resulting in low value, and many domestic consumers are not fully aware of the value of this rare tea variety, posing a high risk of resource degradation. Based on an analysis of the current situation regarding the conservation and development of Shan tea in the high mountain areas of Northern Vietnam, this paper proposes several solutions aimed at the sustainable development of Shan tea in general and ancient Shan tea trees in particular. These solutions include in situ and ex situ conservation; improved cultivation and management practices (e.g., supplementary organic fertilization, pruning, and plucking); enhanced tea processing technologies; and supportive policy mechanisms.
Keywords: Shan tea, conservation, development, high mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam