Visitors are flocking to Suoi Giang in the northern mountain province of Yen Bai to see ancient tea trees, including a 300-year-old tree that is considered the oldest tea tree in the world.

At the height of 1,370m over the sea, 12km from Van Chan Town, Yen Bai province,

Suoi Giang commune is known for its century-old Shan-tuyet tea trees.

There are thousands of old Shan-tuyet tea trees in Suoi Giang. The oldest tree

is over 300 years old and is listed as one of the six oldest tea trees in the whole world.

Tea trees are the source of living of local people. In early year, H’mong people in

Suoi Giang hold worship rituals for old tea trees.

Living in temperature climate and cloud all the year round, Shan-tuyet tea in Suoi Giang has a special flavor.

In the harvest season, locals begin to pick up tea leaves at 4-5 am.

They believe that the flavor of tea will be very delicious when tea leaves are picked in the early morning.

Tea trees are very big so women have to climb up to collect leaves.

Tea flowers.

Suoi Giang is a destination in the tourism program 2011 of three provinces of Yen Bai, Phu Tho and Lao Cai.

PV