Illustration The lotus buds are attached to the lotus calyx and the young lotus leaves stretch to show off their colors, giving off a subtle fragrance. In feng shui, the display of lotus flowers will help purify the air, increase good sand energy and remove evil spirits, helping homeowners avoid all worries. These days, flower lovers often go up to see lotuses on West Lake. Early in the morning, the lotus pond appeared in the mist, as if we were lost in the fairy world. The pink and white lotus flowers rising high above the emerald green lotus leaves make us think of enlightenment, getting rid of the dust of greed – anger – delusion in the life cycle. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, feel the pure fragrance spreading in the wind, your soul is suddenly light. The scent of lotus is like the agglomeration of the spirit of the sun and the rain in the summer. Looming on the lagoon, people rowed small boats to pick lotus flowers to marinate tea. Lotus is usually picked from the mist or when the afternoon falls, because this is the time when the lotus has the deepest scent. Tay Ho lotus tea has become a “famous tea” with a delicate aroma, mysterious charm. Each family has its own traditional secret that is meticulous, sophisticated and precise to make the name of Ha Thanh tea. And behold, the sun has risen… Wherever the sun shines, the lotus wakes up and spreads its wings. The whole lotus dress is like a watercolor painting in the summer sun. Each color of lotus contains a different meaning. The pink lotus is said to be the supreme flower, the symbol of the Buddha bringing peace to sentient beings. The white lotus flower symbolizes purity and innocence. The blue lotus is a great harmony between humans and the natural environment, so it is always taken as a symbol of peace The red lotus symbolizes the love of all species with the compassion of each person. Golden lotus brings good sand and prosperity to the world. The purple lotus is quite rare and symbolizes one of the Buddha’s noble teachings about human enlightenment. Coincidentally, most of the ancient temples at West Lake face the lake. Perhaps that is also the meaningful feng shui of the ancients. In the evening, the sound of temple bells spreads in the air, the fragrant incense and the pure lotus scent make our mind strangely calm. For a moment, it seemed that all the delusions and profanity stopped outside the three-door gate. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh once wrote the famous calligraphy “No mud – no lotus” with a wise explanation: “The lotus cannot exist without the mud. Likewise, without suffering, there is no happiness. It is through suffering that we know how to create happiness. Therefore, the lotus cannot be rid of the mud. The lotus flower blooms beautifully to show the value of mud. The Zen master’s meaningful message gives us insight into the two categories of cause and effect in everything. Sen had to wait patiently for many days in the mud to come to the right season to bloom and blossom. In June, Ha Thanh street enters the pure and gentle lotus season.

While cypress lotus, white lotus, pink lotus … are sold in the market for only 5,000-10,000 VND / flower, Tinh De lotus costs up to 150,000 – 300,000 VND / flower. Photo: Dieu Linh Although the price is dozens of times higher than that of ordinary lotuses, Tinh De lotus is still sought after by connoisseurs. Photo: FB Le Thi Oanh Due to a base of 2 flowers, many people call it “twin” lotus. As a special, rare phenomenon, this lotus species is considered as a good omen, indicating prosperity, affluence, and luck. Photo: Vietnamese people. In the past, the Pure De lotus was only used to advance to the king. That’s why the name “Tinh De” was born. Photo: Facebook Unlike the very familiar pink and white single lotus flowers, Tinh De lotus is quite rare, even a few thousand flowers only appear a few Tinh De lotus flowers. Photo: Facebook. Because of the rarity, connoisseurs have to book a few months in advance to be able to have it. Photo: Internet The Tinh De lotus is also more fragrant than the ordinary lotus flower. If used to marinate tea or make water, the flavor will last longer. Photo: VTV It is rare for Tinh De lotuses to be of equal size and balance, of the same color and to bloom together. Photo: VTV According to the seller, depending on the beauty of the flower, blooming evenly, or the size of the flower, Tinh De will have different prices. Photo: Internet According to the seller, depending on the beauty of the flower, blooming evenly, or the size of the flower, Tinh De will have different prices. Photo: Internet Video: Correction of offensive photography activities in lotus ponds. Source: VTV24

Met Mr. Ngo Van Xiem on a morning in May. When it was still a bit foggy, Mr. Xiem brought back lotus flowers he had just picked from the lagoon. At that time, the family and workers quickly gathered to cup the petals. Everyone works quickly to get the pistil rice as quickly as possible. I don’t know when the craft of marinating lotus tea has existed in Hanoi, but he was born and raised with the family’s traditional lotus tea marinade from a young age. Mr. Siam said, until his son’s life, his family had 5 generations of making lotus tea. In the past, the old people only marinated tea to drink, treat friends and as gifts. When the market economy developed, many people came to lotus tea as a precious gift of Hanoi as a gift, the demand increased so he developed the family’s profession. Mr. Siam and his descendants separate the petals from the lotus. In order to have a stable source of lotus, Mr. Xiem rented 10,000 m2 of lagoon to cultivate cypress lotus. The lotus plant prefers clean soil and water to live. Therefore, the ingredients for marinating lotus tea are also clean. In the days of May, at the beginning of the season, the lotus pond blooms with about 1,000 – 2,000 flowers, only he and his descendants in the house do it. But in June and July, the lotus blooms, and there are days when up to 10,000 flowers bloom, his family has to hire workers to both pick lotuses under the lagoon and separate the petals at home. After separating and sieving, white lotus rice is obtained. If you want to marinate delicious lotus tea, you must not only know the profession but also understand the lotus. Because the lotus flower only gives the most fragrance when the petals have just opened. If the sun shines on the flower for a long time, the flower will quickly lose its scent, then marinated in tea will not smell anymore. Therefore, from 4 am, he and his family went to pick lotuses. The stage of separating the petals, sifting to get the rice of the pistil until the tea marinade must be finished before 12 noon, to ensure that the lotus flavor does not fly much. The tea selected to marinate lotus must be Thai Nguyen hook tea of ​​the best quality. Marinate lotus rice into tea, then brew and dry. This stage must be repeated 3 times with 21 days to complete 1 batch of lotus tea. The process of marinating the tea is also very elaborate. In the house, the process of marinating lotus rice in tea can only be done by him. The rice of about 1,500 lotus flowers can only marinate 3kg of tea. To make lotus tea delicious, fragrant and fragrant, it must be marinated, brewed, dried, and repeated 3 times. Each marinade takes 3 days. Calculated that each batch of tea from marinating, brewing and drying the finished product takes 21 days. During the time of flower separation, tea marinating and drying, although it is very hot, do not turn on fans and air conditioners, which will make the lotus lose its fragrance. The lotus tea of ​​Mr. Siam’s family was both clean and unique, so it was selected and allowed to serve at the US-North Korea Summit in Hanoi in 2019. After the conference, Mr. Siam was presented by the City People’s Committee. Certificate of Merit for achievements in serving at the Conference. Lotus tea – a gift of friendship Each stage to produce the finished product is a very meticulous tea lotus, if you do not see it with your own eyes, it is difficult for people to imagine. Therefore, each kilogram of lotus tea is currently selling for 7 million VND. In addition, Mr. Siam’s family also produces lotus tea. The price of each cotton ranges from 35,000-50,000 VND/cotton. Making lotus tea is very elaborate, but enjoying the tea must also be done properly to see all the aroma and fullness of the tea. The teapot must be an earthenware pot, without a glossy glaze. Small kettle, buffalo eye cup. After putting the tea into the teapot, rinse it with hot water, then pour the water into the tea and steep for 3-5 minutes to infuse. Mr. Siam also marinated tea in lotus flowers. Drinking lotus tea, if you hurry, you will not see the full flavor of the tea. When the tea is poured into the cup, before enjoying the tea, you must bring it to your nose to inhale each breath, enjoying the scent of lotus mixed with the tea. When drinking, also take small sips, hold the tea in your mouth and swallow slowly into your throat. Drinking lotus tea with relatives, confidants, even just a passerby who wants to hear a conversation about the profession makes people closer together and realizes the full taste of tea. Ms. Dao Thi Hue, from Gia Lam, works at Tay Ho Tourism Company. Previously, she still brought guests here to buy tea and enjoy tea with Mr. Siam’s family. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, she has not had the opportunity to bring guests here. But when the lotus blooms, she misses flowers, misses lotus tea, and sometimes goes to Mr. Siam’s house to drink and hear about tea. She shared: “Uncle Siam’s lotus tea is made in the traditional way, so it is very delicious and full of aroma. After drinking, it has a bitter and sweet taste. I have bought tea from Uncle Siam’s house many times as a gift on Tet, holidays, weddings and engagements. In particular, tourists love the lotus tea of ​​Uncle Siam’s family because its delicious quality is second to none.” Enjoying lotus tea must be slow, take it up to inhale and sip small sips to see all the delicious taste of Tay Ho lotus tea. Lotus tea has become a specialty of Hanoians that has entered the subconscious of many people in the capital and tourists near and far. Not only is it a simple drink, but it is also imbued with the culture and sophistication of the Ha Thanh people, a precious gift for those who travel far to remember the ancient land. Because of that, despite the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, the development of information technology has bridged the gap between tea makers and customers in all parts of the country and even abroad. People who remember lotus tea still order by phone or online for business or as a gift. West Lake lotus blooms only one season a year, but the fragrance of West Lake lotus-marinated tea through the hands of Siamese artisans has gone everywhere, connecting people and connecting business bridges with Hanoi.

Bach Diep Lien is a precious lotus variety of Hanoi people. More specifically in this experience, let’s enjoy an early lotus teapot right next to a lotus pond grown entirely organically, more than 40km from the center of the capital. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) For the full experience, the trip departs from 4am in Hanoi. Surely you will not want to miss the beautiful moments of nature on this journey. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) From 5:30 to 6 a.m. is the time when the early morning sun rays will drop on the surface of the lagoon, revealing the fragrant lotus flowers at the beginning of the season. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, from Co Hoang village, Hoang Long commune, Phu Xuyen, Hanoi, said that in order to make early sem tea flowers, he often had to get up before the sun had risen to pick lotus flowers. the most tender, the purest. (Photo: Van Chi/Vietnam+) The early season cypress flowers have just been picked from the lagoon. When the summer sun comes back, calling up the fragrant flowers in the lagoon is also the time when tea lovers can enjoy special lotus tea brewed in warm pink lotus buds. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) The lotus flower is known as one of the symbols of Buddhism. Therefore, in addition to good effects for the health and mood of the user, early lotus tea also has spiritual values. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) An early lotus flower has been aged for 3 years. The precious tea has sedative effects, supports blood circulation, slows down the aging process, prevents and supports the treatment of high blood fat… (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Early lotus tea is the crystallization of ancient Shan Tuyet tea and cypress lotus. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Prepare a pot of early lotus tea right next to the lotus pond, which is blooming with the most fragrant flowers of the season. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) In order to fully enjoy the best early lotus tea, tea tools also contribute significantly, affecting the taste of tea. According to the consultant, to achieve that, the rustic ceramic kettle will give the purest fragrance. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Early lotus tea is most suitable to drink in the early morning, before starting work. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Early lotus tea has a cool, sweet, deeply penetrating aroma that brings a sense of relaxation. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) A week of early lotus tea in the middle of heaven. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Lotus tea welcomes the morning sun. How to prepare: use boiling water that has lowered the temperature to 85 degrees, mix with 8 grams of tea, steep for 30 seconds to 1 minute (if you drink it bold, you can soak it longer); Pour from the teapot into the bowl and then transfer the tea to the military cups to enjoy. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Using lotus tea early in the process of meditation helps to clear the mind, calm the mind, remove distractions, bring concentration and peace. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) The cypress flowers bloom at the beginning of the season. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) The lotus is grown completely organically. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) Joyful smiles of young people after meditating and enjoying early lotus tea by the lagoon. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) The fruit of an early visit to the lotus pond at the beginning of the season. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) The cypress flowers brighten the color of the lotus pond at the beginning of the season. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+)