The person who built the Mac Dien tea brand.
(Baonghean) - Determined to build a brand of clean tea, Nguyen Canh Tuan (Hamlet 4, Hung Son Commune, Anh Son District) did not hesitate to quit his stable job at a company and start over. And after nearly two years, the Mac Dien tea brand was born...
The Mac Dien green tea production workshop is quite modest, nestled in the backyard of Mr. Tuan's family home. At this time, the two tea drying machines are idle, and the workers are on leave. Knowing we were curious, the homeowner explained: "We are focusing on building a premium green tea brand, so this season the raw materials for making tea cannot meet production demands. The best tea is harvested from March to October..."
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| Nguyen Canh Tuan spoke with reporters about his ideas for developing the Mac Dien tea brand. |
Talking to Nguyen Canh Tuan, one senses his confidence, maturity, and discreet nature, making it hard to believe he's only just turned 30. Tuan is particularly passionate about tea. He believes his love for tea is normal, given his family's long tradition of tea cultivation. Furthermore, he lives in Hung Son, one of the areas with the largest tea plantations in Anh Son district, and has nearly 10 years of experience working in a tea factory. Because of his love for tea, his biggest concern is that Nghe An tea, despite its reputation, has the lowest price in the country. Coincidentally, in early 2013, Tuan visited Thai Nguyen, the land of delicious tea. In this region, he conceived the idea of creating a clean, high-quality tea product for his hometown. Driven by this project, Tuan didn't hesitate to leave his stable job at a reputable company and decided to start his own business. At that time, his parents and many others tried to dissuade him, but Tuan accepted the challenge because, "simply put, I'm still young. If I fail, there are still many opportunities to try again."
The early days of starting a business were not easy. Tuan once again ventured to the Tan Cuong tea region (Thai Nguyen) and asked to work for free at the Hao Dat tea factory. After nearly half a year of diligent work, Tuan understood why, even though they were both teas and followed the same production process, Thai Nguyen tea was more famous and had a higher price than Nghe An tea. “To make good tea, the tea processing technique is very important. In addition, the raw materials are crucial. If the raw materials are poor quality, over-processing will turn the tea red. If the tea is not stored properly, it will become damp, and the tea liquor will no longer be green…” Tuan shared.
| When starting production, Tuan placed particular emphasis on the raw materials. For example, to achieve the "one bud, two leaves" standard (one bud, two leaves), Tuan required the tea to be harvested at the right time and processed on the same day. All tea had to be hand-picked to avoid bruising, crushing, or mixing in substandard tea. The processing of the tea could not be done with excessive heat or rushed. Most steps were done manually. After processing, the tea had to be carefully packaged to ensure it could be stored for at least two years. Importantly, Tuan built a brand of clean tea, guaranteeing 100% pesticide-free tea because "even a small amount of impurity can alter the taste"... After nearly three months of preparation and over 200 kg of tea undergoing failed trials, the first tea products were launched in mid-2014. Regarding the name, Tuan didn't hesitate and decided to name it Mac Dien. This is the old name of Hung Son area, and by naming it this way, Tuan hopes to build a high-quality tea brand for his hometown. |
After nearly two years, the Mac Dien tea brand has begun to gain recognition. The commune and district also strongly support Tuan's idea and often order it as gifts for local events. Tuan himself knew that the early days would be difficult, so he didn't shy away from the hardship and personally marketed the product. Initially, many people were hesitant because the brand was unfamiliar. But after a while, consumers began to trust it because Mac Dien tea is superior in quality and much more affordable than similar teas produced in other provinces and cities. When asked if he regretted leaving his stable job for this "uncertain" endeavor, Tuan smiled: "I'm not afraid of failure. Moreover, thanks to being 'independent,' I've become wiser and stronger. My experience is only two years, but it's equivalent to almost ten years of working for someone else."
Based on Tuan's idea, the Hung Son commune government has also planned to develop the Mac Dien tea brand into a key local product. Initially, they will assist Tuan in registering the product trademark. Following that, they will expand production scale towards a cooperative model. Tuan also shared that: "Actually, developing the Mac Dien tea brand isn't difficult. The most important thing is the market. Hung Son's advantage is its abundant raw materials (over 500 hectares of tea plantations). The people also have a lot of experience, so it's not difficult to create a plentiful and high-quality supply of raw materials."
These initial successes have also motivated Tuan to continue developing his ideas and take even bolder steps in the future. More importantly, Tuan has proven that, despite the difficulties, with effort and determination, success is still possible.
My Ha
