The second Tea Festival 2008 kicked off in Bao Loc City in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong on December 4.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Truong Van Thu, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, said the tea festival is an opportunity for Vietnamese tea brands to be advertised to the world, particularly, for businesses to gain more experience in tea production and for people to enjoy the taste of Central Highland tea.

Growing tea in Lam Dong province is considered a major export crop. It not only holds export potential but also helps promote tourism in this highland province.

In addition, the biannual tea festival is a chance to introduce the B’lao tea brand to visitors, consumers and tea suppliers, both domestically and internationally.

The event will last until December 7 with many activities taking place such as a singing competition among people in tea cultivation, a charm contest, a tea picking contest, a boat race, tea-drinking nights, flower arrangement and other culture programmes.

The festival is held by the Vietnam Tea Association in collaboration with the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee.