
Do you want to experience wonderful tea taste in Hue, Vietnam? An Art of Life!
April 2011
When people in Hue sit down together to drink tea, it's the perfect time to talk about a range of topics, from literature to current affairs. It strengthens friendships, broadens their social network, and allows them to share the simple pleasures life has to offer. The way people in Hue enjoy tea reflects their personalities, outlook on life, emotions and even their mood.
In the old days, Hue Royalty established a set of strict rules for drinking tea. A typical occasion must meet certain requirements in the following respects: venue, tea sets, tea types, brewing water, and steps taken during the tea ceremony.
- Venue: tea rooms tend to be the most luxurious and isolated space in the house. The walls of the tea room are often decorated with water colors, calligraphy and ancient poetry. Tea rooms also include bookshelves, a couple of antiques, an ancient copper sculpture, or a few orchids, to create a relaxing ambience.
Hue people also at times conduct tea ceremonies outdoors, under the share of an old tree in the garden. The tea set is placed on the huge stone table. Nearly will be wild-looking "Hon Non Bo" (miniature trees and rocky) placed in a waterless pot, next to colorful bunches of flowers. All create a picturesque scene for drinking tea ceremonies.
- Tea sets: a typical tea set in Hue consists f four objects: " Dam" ( the tiny plate used to hold the "tong" cup); "ban' (a bigger plate used to hold the "tot" cup); "tong" ( a bigger cup used in the process of making the tea); "tot" ( three small teacups)
There is also an earthen stove, a terra-cotta pot for storing cold water, a kettle, a tea pot, a jar for storing fresh tea, charcoal and fuel, and cookies and jam.
The season is also important and the occasion (whether drinking alone, with another one, or with a group). The tea set used for drinking alone is called "doc am", for drinking with another person "song am", and for drinking with a group "quan am" or "nguu am".
Depending on these factors, Hue people use different types of tea sets. Each set is decorated with vignettes and patterns that depict ancient tales and stories. Each tea set is named according to their decoration.
- Tea and brewing water: the most famous type of tea in Hue is wrapped inside lotus flowers at Tinh Tam Lake. In the afternoon, servants visit the lake and place the tea inside each lotus, then tighten it with string. After sitting overnight, the tea is ready at dawn, in time for morning tea ceremonies.
The brewing water is collected from the morning dew on lotus leaves, or can be brought from underground streams in the nearby mountains. If this is impossible, the brewing water must at least come from rain water. The water should not be over-boiled, to prevent the taste being lost.
- Tuan tra (time for drinking tea): guests sit on the left and the host on the right, to make it more convenient for him or her to prepare the tea. The one who lights the fire is always the host, and is considered an exciting task. While lighting the fire to brew the water, he or she may add some aloe wood to create a pleasant aroma.
The tea is poured first into the "tong" cup and then the "tot" cup. While pouring the tea, part of the water is left for preparing the next pot, to retain the original flavor as much as possible. The flavor of the tea and the taste of the cookies and jam make both the host and their guests feel refreshed.
When Hue people enjoy tea, it's not simply about drinking. They pay attention to the discussion and also to the details on the tea sets: the picture and its design. In the past, Nguyen emperors sometimes sent ambassadors to China to order making tea sets. This is why some of the most famous tea sets are still maintained in Hue, such as those used by Emperor Gia Long or Emperor Thieu Tri in the 19th century.
Keywords: Hue tea, Hue people, tea rooms, Nguyen emperors, drink tea, imperial capital, lotus, flavor of tea, tea set, enjoy tea
Primitive Bark Plates, Ash Cakes and Hemlock Tea
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JOHNSON BROTHERS ~ENCHANTMENT~ tea plates x 2 $6.27 |
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Denby Troubadour Tea Cups Saucers Side Plates handfinished green brown reds17pcs $42.42 |
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Wedgwood CLEMENTINE side/tea plate $3.93 |
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Wedgwood Capricorn Tea Plate $3.94 |
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CROWN STAFFORDSHIRE " WENTWORTH " 16cm TEA PLATES $3.77 |
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Vintage Booths Real Old Willow blue and white tea plate with gold trim $6.27 |
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ALFRED MEAKIN " MEDWAY " 16.5cm TEA PLATES $4.40 |
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Nymolle Denmark Plate - BJORN WIINBLAD "Tea For Two" 3101 - 318 $10.00 |
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Victorian TEA LEAF English Tab Handled Cake Plate 1800s $34.95 |
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Clementson Bros Royal Ironstone Tea Leaf 9" Plate 1891 $34.00 |
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Midwinter Stylecraft Riverside tea side plates 4 avail $6.29 |
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A JOHNSON BROTHERS 'SUMMERFIELDS' 7" TEA/SIDE PLATE $3.13 |
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Johnson Bros/Brothers Cotswold Tea Plate $3.94 |
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Vintage 14 Nippon Gold Tea Pot Set Celery Dish Plates Flowers Vtg Hand Painted $115.00 |
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BOOTHS TEA PLATE " GREEN LOTUS PATTERN A8082 " $4.24 |
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Adams Baltic 6,1/4 inch Tea Plate. $6.60 |
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6 CROWN STAFFORDSHIRE 'TUNIS' 6 7/8" TEA/SIDE PLATES $15.70 |
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Horses Head Tea Plate by Myotts Ironstone of Staffordshire Lovely Horse. $4.70 |
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PAIR of Vintage BABBACOMBE POTTERY Blue Spotty Polka Dot Domino 8.75" TEA PLATES $15.70 |
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Vintage 1920s-1930s Royal Doulton Sandwich/Tea Plate $6.27 |
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A JOHNSON BROTHERS 'PRIMROSE' 6 5/8" TEA/SIDE PLATE $3.13 |
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JOHNSON BROTHERS INDIAN TREE - TEA PLATE $1.56 |
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ROYAL DOULTON " MORNING STAR " 16cm TEA PLATES(U) $3.79 |
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E.I.T. Blue & White WILLOW 6.75" TEA / SIDE PLATE $3.14 |
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down by the seine tea plate 6 inch by Alfred Meakin $4.70 |
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Austrian snack plates/tea cups - Set of TWO $7.00 |
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2 x Hornsea "Concept" Tea Plates USED ONCE $11.79 |
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down by the seine tea plate approx. 8 inch by Alfred Meakin $4.70 |
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VERY PRETTY VINTAGE 1920'S SHABBY CHIC ART DECO SWINNERTONS IVORY TEA PLATE $4.70 |
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Set of 5 Bavaria Porzellian Butter Plates / tea Bag holders "Wunsiedel" $29.99 |
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2 x Denby "Ode" Tea Plates $7.84 |
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2 x Denby "Ode" Tea Plates $7.84 |
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2 x Denby "Ode" Tea Plates $7.84 |
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WEDGWOOD " LOUSIANNA " 15.5cm TEA PLATES $6.29 |
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Crown Devon 2-Tone Yellow/Dark Green Tea Cup & Composite Saucer & Side Plate. $7.86 |
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ROYAL DOULTON " INSPIRATION " 16.5cm TEA PLATES $4.40 |
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Denby - Canterbury - Side Tea Plates x 2 $7.84 |
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Branksome Graceline shape side/tea plate $3.93 |
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New Polish Pottery TEA BAG & LEMON PLATE Boleslawiec CA Pattern 86 Stoneware $14.95 |
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New Polish Pottery TEA BAG PLATE Boleslawiec CA Pattern 50 European Stoneware $12.95 |
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New Polish Pottery TEA BAG & LEMON PLATE Boleslawiec CA Pattern 883 Stoneware $14.95 |
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New Polish Pottery TEA BAG & LEMON PLATE Boleslawiec CA Pattern 948 Stoneware $14.95 |
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NIB AUTHENTIC CARTIER LIMOGES 6 TEA / CAKE PLATES LIMITED EDITION $249.00 |
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QUIMPER TEA CUP, SAUCER & SANDWICH PLATE- PINK DAISY PATTERN! $19.99 |
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VINTAGE LUSTERWARE MADE IN JAPAN LUSTER WARE TEA PLATE HAND PAINTED COLLECTIBLE $3.95 |
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BOUQUET 7 Bread & Butter / Tea Plates M A Hadley Folk Art Pottery $9.99 |
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Lovely Royal Doulton Lambeth Stoneware "TAngier" patt side/tea plate 6.75" Mint $3.46 |
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JOHNSON BROS INDIES BLUE & WHITE SIDE TEA PLATE 6.8" $6.27 |
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ROYAL DUCHESS Fine PORCELAIN China Floral TEA Cup and Saucer Plate GERMANY $19.95 |
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A WEDGWOOD 'FLORENTINE' NAVY W1956 6" TEA/SIDE PLATE $20.42 |
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Alfred Meakin Vintage Floral Pattern Marquis Shape Trio (Tea cup Saucer Plate) $7.84 |
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Alfred Meakin Meadow Sweet 7 Inch Tea Plates NEW ! $9.41 |
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ROYAL WORCESTER " 15.5cm TEA PLATES $3.77 |
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ALFRED MEAKIN " ROYAL MARIGOLD " 15.5cm TEA PLATES (UT) $3.77 |
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Set Lot of 4 Tea Cup Saucer Plates Bareuther Waldsassen Bavaria Germany Flowers $9.99 |
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ROYAL RUDOLDTADT CHILDS TEA SET (CUP, SAUCE AND PLATE) $8.89 |
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6 VINTAGE 7 1/4" LUSTERWARE LUSTREWARE GERMANY PORCELAIN LUNCH / TEA PLATES $52.12 |
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DENBY STUDIO TEA / SIDE / BREAD AND BUTTER PLATE 17CM (PERFECT) $11.00 |
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ITALIAN TURQUOISE PINK CUP PLATE TEA COFFE SET 4 ITALY $29.95 |
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Casino-Playing Cards Dessert Plates and Matching Coffee/Tea Cups 7 Sets $15.99 |
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Vintage Red Roses Flowered Pottery Tea Tile Or Hot Plate (Germany?) $9.99 |
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33 pieces vintage Donatello Bohemia Czech demitasse/tea cups, saucers, plates $66.00 |
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JOHNSON BROTHERS - "ETERNAL BEAU" - TEA/SIDE PLATE $4.70 |
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J & G MEAKIN " BERMUDA " 18cm TEA PLATES $3.77 |
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WEDGWOOD " SANTA CLARA " 15.5cm TEA PLATES $3.77 |
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Vintage HULL COFFEE MUG SOUP BOWL Mid Century PLATE tea $12.95 |
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Vintage Germany Plate Two Handled Tea Rose $9.99 |
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Denby Pastel Collection Tea or Side Plate - RHAPSODY $7.78 |
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Midwinter "Riverside" Stylecraft Tea Plates x 6 $23.57 |
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JOHNSON BROS " GARDEN PARTY " 17.5cm TEA PLATES $3.79 |
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A GREEN WOODS WARE BERYL TEA SIDE PLATE $12.38 |
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VINTAGE BAVARIA GERMANY TEA CUP AND SAUCER AND DESERT PLATE $13.99 |
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WINTERLING BAVARIA GERMANY TEA CUP AND SAUCER AND DESERT PLATE $12.99 |
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Original CLARICE CLIFF Newport Pottery AUTUMN CROCUS Bizarre 7" Tea Plate $15.70 |
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2 MARKS & SPENCER 'CLAREMONT' 7" SIDE/TEA PLATES $9.41 |
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VINTAGE ITALY I.W.C. N.Y. POTTERY SET OF 4 PLATES STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SNACK TEA $25.00 |
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POOLE " MUSHROOM TWINTONE " 17cm TEA PLATES $3.77 |
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Royal Doulton Buckingham Tea Plate $6.62 |
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SET OF FOUR CLARICE CLIFF NEWPORT POTTERY TEA PLATES IN GOOD CONDITION $7.84 |
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Johnson Bros Tea Plate - JAMESTOWN $4.64 |
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Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker $165.00 A striking blend of retro style and modern technology. Programmable for brewing up to 24 hours in advance. Setting for 1 to 4 cups ensures full-bodied flavor and aroma. BrewPause™ feature lets you enjoy a cup before brewing is finished. Adjustable heater plate setting keeps coffee at the temperature you prefer. Audible "ready" signal. Automatic shutoff. Includes Gold Tone metal filter, #4 pap... |
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Mr. Coffee MWBLK Mug Warmer $5.31 Trust Mr. Coffee to create this unique product. It's like a special dock for your mug. Place you mug on this electric base and it'll keep any beverage warm. From coffees, teas, chocolates, and toddies, use this mug warmer to help keep beverages warm - as you like it. It's perfect for any fan of warm beverages. This Mug Warmer also makes a great gift to an appreciative friend or colleague.... |
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Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers This classically designed coffeemaker is accented with stainless steel for a look that is sure to enhance your countertop. The 12 cup carafe features an ergonomic handle, dripless spout and knuckle guard for comfortable, drip-free pouring. Fully automatic, the DCC-1100 has 24-hour programmability and 1 to 4 cup setting for those times you don't need a full pot of coffee. The Brew pause feature let... |
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Philips 69126/60/48 Imageo LED Rechargeable Tea Lights with Charging Plate, Clear $69.99 Place Light anywhere, use it with Ease. Tea Lights is a set with a delightful flickering effect that simulatees the flame of a real tea candle. They are supplied in six stylish frosted glass cups. As they are the same size as wax tea lights, they fit in Warranty (Years): 2 / Style: Expressive.... |
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LightWedge Paperback Soft Case $4.40 The LightWedge® Paperback Soft Case zips up around the LightWedge Paperback book light to protect the light when not in use.... |

US $1.56














