At 8.30 am, 26th of November, 2015, on the main stage of Vietnam Ethnic Museum, Vietnam officially hosted the very first Tea Masters Cup Vietnam 2015 (TMC VN 2015). This qualifying national round was held by Vietnam Tea Association in corporation with The Organization Board of the Third Tea Festival Thai Nguyen, under the framework of Tea Festival Thai Nguyen – one of the largest and most successful national events of tea producers, tea traders and tea customers, which took place in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam. Vietnam Tea Association honors to be the official sponsor of TMC VN 2015. And there are 9 other co-sponsors which are: -   Sinh Thai Joint Stock Company -   An An Joint Stock Company -   Hiep Khanh Tea Joint Stock Company -   NTEA Vietnam Joint Stock Company -   Oxfam Tea Project -   Nam Anh Importing and Exporting Joint Stock Company -   Bac Thanh Trading Ltd -   Tra Viet CLUB – Hoa Tra Viet Joint Stock Company - Helvetas Project The VIP guests participating and cutting inauguration band of TMC VN 2015 are: Ms Ma Thi Nguyet – Vice Chairwoman of The People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen Province – President of The Organization Board of the Third Tea Festival Thai Nguyen, Vietnam 2015. Mr Nguyen Huu Tai – Chairman of Vietnam Tea Association – The national organizing committee – official sponsor of TMC VN 1015 Along with the judges committee of professionals and experts in tea industry, including: Ms Nguyen Thi Anh Hong – Vice Chairwoman of Vietnam Tea Association Mr Ramaz Chanturiya – General Director of Association of Russian Tea and Coffee, Companies, the Chairman of Tea Masters Cup Mr William Lee, Executive of Korea Tea Board, CEO of Shinda Wooloo Group   (South Korea) Ms Sharyn Johnston, Director of Australian Tea Masters Cup Pty Ltd Mr Tran Dang Khoa – poeist, journalist, Vice President of Vietnam Literature Association Mr Hoang Anh Suong – Journalist, Tea Masters Mr Mong Dong Vu – Vietnam Records for having the largest collection of teapots. Mr Hoang Dinh Nhu – Vice Director of Tea Market Research and Development Center – Technical Judges. And 23 contestants from all over Vietnam, media channels, domestic tea producers and a huge number of Vietnamese tea lovers. Those 23 young talents from different counties of Vietnam has participated and competed in 3 categories: Tea Preparation, Tea Pairing and Tea Tasting Despite the fact that this is the very first TMC competition in Vietnam which has ever been hosted, TMC VN 2015 still succeeded in making a strong impression. While contestants ages range from 20 - 40, they all delivered amazing performance of tea preparation, tea pairing and tea tasting which showed their skill, creativity and passion for this rustic beverage. In this way, TMC VN 2015 could be considered as  a national union of young talents in tea field, honoring quintessence of Vietnam tea culture, encouraging youngsters who have passion for tea and devote thoughts and time to creating new method of tea preparation. This competition has witnessed many compelling performances of 23 talents when they were shining, demonstrating their own skills on stage After a long day of intense competitions, TMC VN 2015 has chosen and handed trophy to 3 champions of 3 categories, who are: Ms Tran Thi Mong Kieu from Ho Chi Minh City – champion of Tea Preparation Ms Nguyen Thi Bich Hong from Hai Duong – champion of Tea Pairing Mr.  Le Minh Phuong from Hanoi – champion of Tea Tasting Besides, because of the creativity in tea preparation and the beautiful love story behind Mr. Doan Hung Son’s performance, the organizing committee and judges agreed to hand an additional prize which is Creative Awards to Hung Son. This is considered as a considerable change between TMC VN and the original version of TMC And the other 19 contestants were honored with certification for participating with professionalism and passion. The 3 champions will be sent to compete in the international final round of Tea Masters Cup 2016 In summary, The Organizing Committee of Tea Masters Cup Vietnam 2015 would like to spend the deepest thank to our sponsors and co-sponsors as well as local and national media channels who supported us during this competition, contributing to the success of TMC VN 2015. It is our honor to continue working with all organizations, media channels in the next Tea Masters Vietnam 2016. Source: Vietnam Tea Association