The Minh Tri Tea House

Old Hanoians say "West Lake lotus tea — the finest gift of the ancient capital."The Bach Diep lotus grown in the ponds around West Lake — a hundred petals to a flower, with uniquely fragrant anthers — is the only lotus that can create true Hanoi lotus tea.

The Minh Tri family began scenting lotus tea in 2021, more than 5 years ago. Our house sits in alley 416 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho district, minutes from the lotus ponds — flowers picked at dawn are scented the same morning.

Each season, the whole family rises at 4 a.m. to choose the best buds. Back home, the fragrant anthers — "lotus rice" — are separated by hand, then layered with tea: a layer of tea, a layer of lotus rice, rested and dried, seven times over three weeks. One kilogram of finished tea takes about one thousand flowers.

We use no flavorings, no industrial scenting, no lotus from other regions. Our base teas are ancient-tree Shan Tuyet from Ha Giang and fine Tan Cuong from Thai Nguyen — teas with enough character to stand beside the lotus without overpowering it.

Visitors are always welcome to a free tasting at the house. From abroad? Message us on Zalo/WhatsApp at 0345 341 344 — our vacuum-sealed teas travel well.