IMEXCO Partners with UNESCO to Promote Vietnamese Tea Heritage and Sustainable Development

Company Activities, Partnership With Unesco, Partnerships & Development
Posted by

On July 4–5, 2025, IMEXCO Vietnam Trading Joint Stock Company partnered with UNESCO to organize the event “From Leaf to Legacy: Cultural Pathways to Sustainability.” The two-day program celebrated the cultural significance of Vietnamese tea while fostering dialogue on heritage preservation, sustainable development, and community engagement.

Bringing together international experts, artisans, businesses, and development organizations, the event served as a platform to explore how cultural heritage can contribute to sustainable economic growth and strengthen local communities.

Showcasing Vietnamese Tea Culture Through Interactive Experiences

The first day featured a series of cultural activities designed to introduce visitors to the richness of Vietnamese tea traditions.

Participants enjoyed tea ceremony performances, ecological product exhibitions, traditional handicraft demonstrations, and presentations of innovative initiatives promoting environmentally responsible tea production. These activities created opportunities for artisans, businesses, and tea enthusiasts to exchange knowledge and celebrate the enduring values of Vietnamese tea culture.

The vibrant tea leaf dance opens the experience space, helping to spread the love for Vietnamese tea culture to the community and attendees
The vibrant tea leaf dance opens the experience space, helping to spread the love for Vietnamese tea culture to the community and attendees
An elegant contemporary dance honors the beauty of tea leaves, seamlessly connecting modern art with the traditional values being preserved and promoted
Youthful choreography combined with modern music brings a fresh breeze, affirming the enduring vitality of tea heritage in contemporary life
Youthful choreography combined with modern music brings a fresh breeze, affirming the enduring vitality of tea heritage in contemporary life
The tea-enjoying space becomes more profound with zither melodies and graceful dances, honoring the beautiful traditional art of the nation
The tea-enjoying space becomes more profound with zither melodies and graceful dances, honoring the beautiful traditional art of the nation
An intimate tea session creates a cohesive space where experts share their passion and join hands to preserve cultural quintessence
An intimate tea session creates a cohesive space where experts share their passion and join hands to preserve cultural quintessence

Dialogue on Heritage and Sustainable Development

The second day centered on the workshop “From Leaf to Legacy: Cultural Pathways to Sustainability,” where speakers discussed the role of cultural heritage in community development and responsible consumption.

The discussions highlighted the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while encouraging innovation, demonstrating how heritage can become a valuable resource for sustainable economic and social development.

The seminar captured enthusiastic insights from experts, suggesting directions to transform tea heritage into a sustainable development resource
The seminar captured enthusiastic insights from experts, suggesting directions to transform tea heritage into a sustainable development resource

Strengthening Partnerships for Heritage Preservation

During the event, Mr. Tran Manh Hao, Chairman of IMEXCO Vietnam Trading Joint Stock Company, reaffirmed IMEXCO’s commitment to promoting sustainable production and consumption while raising public awareness of culturally significant and environmentally responsible products.

Mr. Tran Manh Hao speaking at the event, emphasizing IMEXCO’s commitment to promoting sustainable tea production and consumption processes

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, emphasized that heritage should serve not only as a legacy to preserve but also as a foundation for community development. UNESCO is proud to work alongside IMEXCO in supporting artisans, women, and young people in Vietnam’s tea-growing regions, helping transform cultural heritage into opportunities for the future.

UNESCO representative, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, affirms the strong commitment to accompany and help the community maximize the value of Vietnamese tea heritage
UNESCO representative, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, affirms the strong commitment to accompany and help the community maximize the value of Vietnamese tea heritage

The program also featured presentations by Mr. Moro Renzo, Agricultural and Phytosanitary Expert representing the Embassy of Italy in Viet Nam, who discussed preserving cultural identity through the Slow Food movement, and Mr. Peter Debrine, Sustainable Tourism Expert from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, who shared perspectives on tea culture and responsible tourism.

Toward International Recognition of Vietnamese Tea Heritage

One of the project’s long-term objectives is to develop the Vietnamese Tea Cultural Space as a strong candidate for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

By connecting international organizations, businesses, artisans, and local communities, the initiative contributes to preserving cultural heritage while supporting sustainable livelihoods and enhancing the global recognition of Vietnamese tea.

Through its partnership with UNESCO, IMEXCO continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainable development, responsible business practices, and the preservation of Vietnam’s cultural heritage for future generations.

RELATED ARTICLES