Between aromas that awaken memories and flavours that tell stories, there is a place in Bombarda where time slows down and the journey begins long before the first cup of tea is served.
Between Vietnam and Portugal, between the aroma of tea and the life of the neighbourhood, Thuy Thiên de Oliveira has created a space for connection in Bombarda. A place where cultures meet, stories are shared, and hospitality becomes a form of community. Over nearly two decades, Mùi Concept has helped enrich the cultural diversity of the area, showing that sometimes a simple cup of tea can bring entire worlds closer together.
Located on Rua D. Manuel II, in Porto’s creative quarter, MÙI Concept reveals itself as a meeting place between cultures, traditions and ways of life.
“There is always a symbiosis between Portuguese and Vietnamese culture through tea; by promoting tea and herbal infusions, we also promote sustainability, the preservation of camellias and our health.”
Q: Thuy Thiên, how long have you been in Portugal? What brought you here?**
A: I arrived in Portugal at the end of 1987 to teach English and French at the French Lycée, now the International French School of Porto.
A friend of ours — mine and my husband's — owned the first tea shop in Lisbon. We used to do many things together, including visiting tea plantations and travelling. The last trip we took together was to a tea plantation in Vietnam, around 2004. It was this friend, who sadly passed away, who encouraged me to open a tea shop because I knew tea and Vietnamese tea culture very well.
Q: Why Porto? Was it simply chance or an opportunity?
A: I opened the shop around 20 years ago, in 2005, but at that time I wasn't selling directly to the public. I didn't know the market very well and I think it was still quite timid. It was a very slow beginning, and only in the last two years have I noticed that more and more young people are discovering Mùi Concept.
Q: How do you feel Bombarda has embraced this Vietnamese project? What are the main challenges you remember?
A: I was the one who chose Bombarda, and Mùi was based in the Bombarda Shopping Centre for ten years. In May 2022, we found our current space on Rua D. Manuel II. I was drawn to it because of its natural light and generous space, which allows us to serve tea outdoors when the weather is good. Over the years, we have also organised activities that bring people into the space. We have welcomed Erasmus students from the Faculty of Medicine and had the opportunity to give talks about tea and its medicinal properties. During the warmer months, we have hosted groups of young people from all over the world outside the shop.
Inspiration
Q: What is the importance of tea in Vietnamese culture? And what is the difference between tea and herbal infusions?
A: Tea has always been present in Vietnam, as it is an integral part of the country’s culture and history. Whenever there is a piece of land available for cultivation, it is common to plant tea. Tea is traditionally prepared in the morning and, whenever someone visits my parents’ or grandparents’ home in Vietnam, it is customary to ask whether they would like some tea. That is how we welcome people. As for the difference between tea and herbal infusions, the latter do not come from the tea plant, *Camellia sinensis*. Infusions made from herbs such as horsetail or lemongrass are considered herbal teas because they are not derived from *Camellia sinensis*. Unlike tea, herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free, while true tea comes from the tea plant and naturally contains caffeine.
“‘Mùi’, which means perfume, fragrance and coriander in Vietnamese, is reflected in the experience of every visitor through the natural aroma that welcomes them the moment they enter the shop."
Q: What inspired you to create Mùi Concept and what is the idea behind the project?
A: I have always loved tea and I have always felt that tea deserves greater recognition in Portugal, where coffee is much more deeply rooted in everyday culture. In many cafés, the quality of tea available is still very poor, and that was something that genuinely surprised me. My mission has been to introduce people to some of the world's finest teas and to encourage a greater appreciation for tea and herbal infusions.
At Mùi Concept, tea is at the centre of everything, but it is also accompanied by the objects, rituals and traditions that surround it. Tea has its own accessories and ceremonies, from formal tea rituals to more convivial moments of sharing. Because there were very few refined Asian products available in Portugal, and most of what could be found was rather kitsch, I decided to bring something different to the city. Through the products we offer, we want to showcase some of the most beautiful aspects of Asian culture and craftsmanship.
The name "Mùi", which means perfume, fragrance and coriander in Vietnamese, reflects the experience we hope to create. The natural aroma that welcomes visitors as soon as they enter the shop comes from the teas themselves and helps create a strong and authentic sensory identity.
Q: How do you develop and select the teas available at Mùi Concept?
A: I create my own tea blends and I am always the first person to taste them. I enjoy discovering new flavours and combinations, and then I listen carefully to my customers' feedback. Even when I do not have the exact tea someone is looking for, I always try to recommend something similar. It is often an opportunity for people to discover new flavours and explore teas they may never have considered before.
A Bridge Between Portugal and Vietnam
Q: How do you build connections between Vietnamese and Portuguese culture through your work?
A: I am the president and co-founder of the first Portugal–Vietnam Friendship Association. Our mission is to promote and share the cultures of both countries in their many different forms.
My husband and I love travelling and we have been invited to take part in an International Gastronomy Festival in Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, where we introduced Portuguese products such as ham, cheese and wine. I have also organised conferences in partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa. This is how I share Vietnamese culture in Portugal and bring Portuguese flavours to Vietnam. When I organise seminars about tea, I include a short documentary about Vietnam and invite Vietnamese filmmakers and poets to participate. I am also a member of the Portuguese Camellia Association and, because camellias are so important in Vietnam, we try to create connections between producers and enthusiasts from both countries.
There is always a symbiosis between Portuguese and Vietnamese culture through tea. By promoting tea and herbal infusions, we also promote sustainability, the preservation of camellias and our health.
One example of this cultural exchange is Golden Camellia, an innovative creation made from golden camellia flowers from Vietnam. Rich in vitamins and naturally caffeine-free, it reflects the meeting point between tradition, wellbeing and cultural heritage.
Q: Are there any projects or collaborations you would like to develop in the future?
A: I am often invited to create tea menus for hotels and spas, including Six Senses Douro Valley. Among my clients are institutions such as the Orient Museum, Casa Baltazar and Confeitaria Nacional in Lisbon.
More recently, I was invited to develop a Tea House concept for Fundação Casa de Mateus. We are always looking for new opportunities to share tea culture and create meaningful cultural exchanges through our work.
We have also taken part in initiatives within Bombarda, including *Afinidades na Cerâmica Contemporânea*, organised in the Quarteirão das Artes.
Bombarda, Community and the Future
Q: Does the community you have found in Bombarda play an important role in your life?
A: I want to remain in Bombarda and I feel there is still room to strengthen the sense of community in the area. I try to play an active role in local life, although it is not always easy, particularly because Mùi Concept is located slightly outside Bombarda’s main streets, which can sometimes limit its visibility.
“I deeply believe in the spirit of community and in the idea that we cannot live or work alone.”
Q: What would you like to see improved in Bombarda?
A: I would love to see more initiatives and events that help bring people together and further energise this part of the city.
Q: Is there a message you would like to share with those who visit Mùi Concept?
A: The importance of belonging to a community. I deeply believe that we cannot live or work alone. Being part of Bombarda has always been important to me and, from the very beginning, I have tried to contribute to the vitality of the neighbourhood and to the creation of a more connected and vibrant community.
Contact Information
Website: http://www.mui-concept.pt
Address: Rua D. Manuel II, 51 A, 4050-345 Porto, Portugal
Telephone: +351 933 689 764 / +351 938 713 639
Email: mui.gourmet@gmail.com
