Every drink tells the story of a place. While Hanoi is known for its refreshing iced tea, and Ho Chi Minh City charms visitors with sweet iced coffee, Hoi An captures hearts with its signature herbal drink – Mot Hoi An. Light, aromatic, and rich in traditional Vietnamese flavors, Mót Hội An offers a refreshing taste of the town’s unique culture.
What is Mot Hoi An? Why Is It Called “Mot”?
- Address: 150 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 10,000 VND – 25,000 VND per cup
When visiting Hội An, it’s common to see travelers holding a simple white paper cup with a bamboo straw, decorated with young tea leaves and a pink lotus leaf. Inside is Mot Hoi An, a refreshing herbal drink that perfectly captures the beauty and tradition of this ancient town.
Thinking of Hội An often brings to mind Mot Hoi An. Tasting it is like tasting the spirit of the town itself — peaceful, charming, and full of life. So, what exactly is Mot Hoi An, and why has it become so popular among visitors? Let’s explore this special drink with ExplorePrivateCar.com!
Mot Hoi An is made from a blend of natural herbs such as chrysanthemum flowers, monk fruit, green tea leaves, cinnamon, prunella flowers, licorice root, honeysuckle, lemon, sugar, honey, dried lotus leaves, and lemongrass. Carefully brewed, this drink offers a light sweetness, a subtle herbal fragrance, and a refreshing aftertaste. It’s not only delicious but also supports digestion, balances the body’s energy, and promotes better sleep — perfect after a day of enjoying Hoi An’s famous street food.
As for the name, “Mot” comes from the nickname of Nguyễn Hữu Xuân, a young local man who created this drink. Inspired by a traditional herbal recipe his mother once prepared, Xuân combined local ingredients to develop a healthy, cooling drink that would also aid digestion — ideal for travelers exploring Hội An’s vibrant food scene.
Today, Mot Hoi An is more than just a drink; it’s a symbol of Hội An’s hospitality, culture, and love for natural living.
Why Is Mot Hoi An So Famous?
Mot Hoi An is not only loved for its refreshing, herbal flavor but also for its beautiful and thoughtful presentation. Every cup of Mot Hoi An is adorned with young green tea leaves and a vibrant pink lotus petal, reflecting the elegance and charm of Hội An.
According to Xuân, the creator of Mot Hoi An, the lotus petals are carefully selected from large lotus ponds around Quảng Nam. After harvesting, the petals are washed and soaked in filtered water before being used to decorate each herbal drink. With such high demand, the shop sometimes needs hundreds of lotus flowers a day. During the winter, when lotus flowers are scarce, they even import them from the south of Vietnam, or, when necessary, from Thailand to ensure the consistent beauty of every drink.
Committed to food safety and quality, Xuân also grows lemons and lemongrass in his sister’s garden in Cẩm Châu and personally sources the best green tea leaves from highland regions to maintain the authentic herbal flavor of Mot Hoi An.
Another reason travelers love Mot Hoi An is its eco-friendly practices. The shop has replaced plastic cups and straws with biodegradable paper cups and bamboo straws, creating a more sustainable and authentic experience.
Despite the meticulous preparation and decoration — down to every lotus leaf and tea sprig — each cup of Mot Hoi An remains incredibly affordable at just 12,000 VND (around $0.50). This combination of beauty, taste, and value has made Mot Hoi An a beloved part of every visitor’s Hội An experience.
When it first opened in 2015, Mot Hoi An was just a humble street stall, carefully decorated with traditional Vietnamese elements like lotus flowers, oil lamps, herbal baskets, and tea pots set on woven bamboo trays. By 2017, Mot Hoi An had officially registered its brand and settled at its permanent location at 150 Trần Phú Street.
Today, Mot Hoi An is not just a drink — it’s a must-try cultural experience in Hội An. Visitors are drawn not only by its unique flavors but also by the charming setting filled with authentic Vietnamese touches: bamboo trays, ceramic bowls of herbs and fruits, a fragrant tea pot, and a vase of fresh lotus flowers.
How to Make Mot Hoi An Herbal Tea – Refreshing & Detoxifying at Home
Mot Hoi An herbal tea is not only famous for its refreshing taste but also for its ability to detoxify and cool the body, making it a great choice for your health. If you’re craving a cup of Mot Hoi An tea at home, here’s an easy recipe to help you recreate the unique flavor of this iconic drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Dried lemon
- Rock sugar
- Dried lotus leaves
- Cinnamon bark
- Fresh lemongrass
- Dried artichoke flowers (optional)
- Rose petals (for decoration)
Steps to Make Mot Hoi An Tea:
Step 1: Boil water, then add dried lemon and rock sugar into the pot. Let it simmer on low heat for about 7 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Step 2: Add dried lotus leaves, cinnamon bark, and crushed lemongrass into the pot. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. Adjust the sweetness and sourness to your taste. If you’d like your tea to have a beautiful color, add some dried artichoke flowers to give it a lovely pink-orange hue.
Step 3: Let the tea cool down a bit, then pour it into a glass. Garnish with a few rose petals to make it look even more beautiful. Now, you’ve got a cup of Mot Hoi An tea just like the ones you can find in the streets of Hoi An!
Why Should You Try Mot Hoi An Tea?
Every destination has its signature drink, and Hoi An is no exception with its famous Mot Hoi An tea. Made from simple, locally sourced ingredients, yet crafted with care, Mot Hoi An tea offers a refreshing, sweet taste that helps cool you down and relax, especially during hot summer days. When you visit Hoi An, don’t forget to try this unique herbal drink and check-in with your cup of Mot Hoi An tea to capture the essence of Danang!
With this recipe, you can bring the taste of Hội An into your home, and enjoy the soothing, refreshing experience that Mot Hoi An offers.
Conclusion
Mot Hoi An captures a peaceful corner of Hội An that soothes the soul. Holding a cup of Mot Hoi An while strolling through the ancient streets, breathing in the unique atmosphere of the old town, you’ll find life flowing at a slower, more graceful pace.
When you visit Hoi An, explore the charming old town — and don’t forget to treat yourself to this unique and refreshing herbal drink!
