Bustling production for the Lunar New Year season.

Starting in mid-December, the atmosphere in craft villages and production facilities becomes bustling. Although purchasing power may decrease, this is still the time for business owners to bring their highest quality products to the market.

Flower growers are busy preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: XH

The flower village is bustling.

In the Tây An flower growing area (Duy Trung, Duy Xuyên), these days, many large trucks are constantly going in and out of the gardens. Thousands of pots of chrysanthemums, petunias, etc., are neatly arranged to be transported to various places.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bi Na, owner of Son Na flower garden, said that at the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, customers from all over had already placed orders for her garden. Not only chrysanthemums, but also petunias, peonies, and marigolds – countless flowers blooming from this garden are being shipped far and wide. This season, Son Na flower garden has planted more than 40,000 pots of various types. To ensure the flowers bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year), flower growers must monitor the weather conditions and adjust the temperature and light accordingly.

"This year, compared to last year, the quantity of flowers we produced remains the same. Purchasing power has decreased somewhat so far, but we still hope that from around the 15th day of the 12th lunar month onwards, as that's when people start buying flowers for Tet," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Bi Na.

Xi'an used to have arid land. But in recent years, with a change in economic structure, this locality has become the flower hub of Quang Nam province, with more than a dozen flower gardens.

According to Ms. Doan Thi Nhan, Deputy Head of the Agriculture Department of Duy Trung commune, the locality has about 15 households growing flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year), mainly chrysanthemums and marigolds. It is expected that purchasing power will decrease this year due to the general economic difficulties, and gardeners here have reduced the number of potted plants supplied to the market compared to last year's Tet season.

Anticipating market trends, in addition to growing traditional flowers, gardeners are proactively purchasing seeds and investing in planting and caring for mini potted flowers to use as hanging decorations in their gardens.

Quang Nam currently has about 2,000 households growing flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year). On average, one hectare yields a profit of around 250 million VND. This is a much higher income than growing rice and other dryland crops, so it's easy to understand why this time of year is considered the "golden season" for flower growers. From taking orders, selecting, and transporting the flowers, Tet is approaching in the flower villages of Quang Nam, each day marked by the smiles and sweat of the flower caretakers.

Fragrant cakes and jams

December becomes the season for seasonal labor as numerous establishments begin ramping up production to meet the demand for Tet (Lunar New Year). From traditional confectionery villages, buyers from all over have already finalized orders with business owners.

Rental services for apricot blossom trees and ornamental plants are also starting to become busy. Photo: XH

Mr. Huynh Tan Anh, the owner of a business in An Lac printed cake village (Duy Thanh commune, Duy Xuyen district), said that orders from large customers stop around the 25th of the 12th lunar month, and only then do they have free time.

Now, it's time to rush to get the village's batches of traditional rice cakes ready for delivery. From Da Nang, Tam Ky, and Nam Phuoc, phone calls placing orders for Tet (Lunar New Year) sales continue non-stop, keeping those involved in this traditional craft busy throughout the twelfth lunar month, but it's a joyful time for them.

Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) arrives in the villages along the Thu Bon River, beginning with the aroma of traditional cakes and sweets made from ingredients sourced directly from the land and people of this region. And the "seasonal" labor force consists of these honest, simple country folk.

At the Nhuận Minh vegetarian food production facility (Điện Quang, Điện Bàn), orders are pouring in this season. The market for Nhuận Minh's vegetarian food products is quite broad, with dozens of product types.

These days, the facility has to hire extra workers to keep up with orders from customers everywhere. With the facility's certification as a product meeting OCOP standards, consumer trust has increased. This is also an opportunity for businesses as their products are chosen by people for the Lunar New Year.

The Tet gift market is also booming with gift baskets featuring selected OCOP (One Commune One Product) products. Mr. Phan Dinh Tuan, owner of the Bao Linh baked coconut cake brand (a 4-star OCOP product from Quang Nam), said that this year, in addition to his permanent staff, his production facility had to hire additional seasonal workers to keep up with orders from distributors nationwide. This year, the consumer trend favoring local products has opened up opportunities for traditional product lines to capture the market.

From the warm, comforting scent of incense on the ancestral altar to the traditional cakes and treats from the countryside, the days of the twelfth lunar month bring a bustling atmosphere to the villages and hamlets of Quang Nam province...

Tighten food safety management.

The provincial inter-agency steering committee on food safety has begun conducting inspections in many localities. From fresh raw materials to dried foods and confectionery businesses, all must meet food safety standards before being allowed to operate.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Cam, Head of the Quang Nam Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department, stated that during the Tet holiday season, many new products appear that have not undergone the product registration process, as well as many products advertised in violation of regulations, alongside products of unknown origin, which can easily cause food poisoning. Therefore, stricter food safety inspections are necessary during this period leading up to Tet.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/thuong-mai-dich-vu/chon-ron-san-xuat-mua-tet-154956.html