Vietnamese Gotu Kola Tea: A Centuries-Old Vietnamese Tradition

The taste of Vietnamese gotu kola tea

Gotu kola tea is usually brewed by steeping dried gotu kola leaves in hot water. This tea has a delicate, nuanced flavor that’s slightly grassy and subtly sweet. It can be savored plain or enhanced with additional flavors like lemon, or honey.

The medicinal uses of gotu kola in Vietnamese traditional medicine

Traditionally, Vietnamese medicine values gotu kola for its ability to:

Quang Tho gotu kola tea, a famous brand in Hue, Vietnam

Where is Quang Tho commune?

Image: Cong thong tin xa Quang Tho

Quang Tho is a rural commune located on the outskirts of Hue City, the former imperial capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). With an area of 9.49 square kilometers and a population of 6,850 people (as of 2017).

Nestled between two forks of the Bo River, Quang Tho enjoys fertile soil and abundant water, making it perfect for growing all sorts of crops, including short-term industrial plants, food crops, and flowers.

A thriving hub for gotu kola production

Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, a handful of families in Quang Tho village ventured into cultivating gotu kola for profit. Witnessing its economic potential, the practice quickly caught on, and today, Quang Tho stands as a significant gotu kola cultivation hub in Vietnam, spanning over 70 hectares of land. Engaging over 604 households, the village has embraced gotu kola production on a large scale.

In support of this growing industry, farmers in Quang Tho have united under the Quang Tho II Agricultural Cooperative. This cooperative helps farmers market their gotu kola produce and drive innovation in gotu kola-based products. With investments in processing machinery, they have expanded into producing gotu kola tea bags, dried tea, and matcha powder, broadening their market reach and economic opportunities.

Gotu kola farmers in Quang Tho embrace sustainable practices

Gotu kola farmers in Quang Tho are committed to sustainable agriculture. From planting to harvest, they follow strict VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices) standards. They are also working towards fully organic gotu kola cultivation, with 1.5 hectares already certified organic.

According to Quang Tho II Agricultural Cooperative statistics, the average annual yield is 3,000 tons. Each hectare generates an average income of 200 million Vietnamese dong per year. Gotu kola has helped lift people in Quang Tho out of poverty, with many families becoming prosperous. It has also created stable jobs for hundreds of locals, improving their standard of living.

Quang Tho’s gotu kola products have garnered widespread popularity and were recognized with the OCOP 4-star certification in 2020. Furthermore, the gotu kola matcha powder received an additional distinction in 2021, being lauded as an outstanding rural industrial product by the Thua Thien Hue provincial government.

OCOP 4-Star certification for Quang Tho gotu kola tea

The cooperative currently offers three popular gotu kola products.

Gotu kola tea filter bags: Offering a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of gotu kola tea.

Dried gotu kola tea: A traditional and versatile option for brewing.

Gotu kola matcha powder: A unique and contemporary way to experience the flavor and potential health benefits of gotu kola.