Da Lat (VNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners Japan, China and the Republic of Korea have passed an action plan supporting the growing of new high-yield tea strains at a recent forum in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat.

Under the plan, investment will be injected into installing  modern production chains to turn out highly competitive products.

Japan and the World Green Tea Association have been urged to help regional countries reduce the residue level of chemicals substances in their green tea products.

Viet Nam has become a full member of the World Green Tea Association, which was set up at the initiative of Japan. The country is estimated to  earn 85 million USD from tea exports in 2004, the highest turnover so far, according to the Viet Nam Tea Association (Vitas).

Viet Nam's tea products are being sold in 92 countries and territories, with 79 percent being black tea and 20 percent green.

The country is among the 10 leading countries in the world with the largest tea acreage and output. With about 120,000 ha of tea in 34 of 64 provinces and cities, Viet Nam processes some 500,000 tonnes of tea buds and exports 80 percent of this volume annually.