A wide variety of flowers and ornamental plants for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

While in Hoi An City, flowers and ornamental plants are cultivated in specialized areas, in other localities throughout the province, farmers grow them in a mixed manner, resulting in a rich variety of species and styles.

Chrysanthemums are carefully tended by farmers to ensure they bloom in time for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). Photo: Q. VIET

The bustling atmosphere of Tet flowers

With the rainy days over and the weather now favorable, the market for flowers and ornamental plants has started to become vibrant.

Mr. Le Ngoc Tam (Tan Thai village, Tam Thang commune, Tam Ky district) said that 80% of the flowers and ornamental plants in his garden have already been ordered by traders, so he is confident about the market. He is focusing on caring for the remaining plants to sell gradually from now until the Lunar New Year of 2024. "This year's Tet flower season has achieved both high production and value, so I will have a good income," Mr. Tam said excitedly.

All three members of Mr. Tam's family were quick and nimble. One moment they were trimming the chrysanthemum leaves, the next they were tending to the hanging potted plants. His older brother also swiftly arranged the potted plants neatly in rows...

Mr. Tam's garden currently has 1,500 pots of chrysanthemums and crystal flowers; 2,500 hanging flower pots, mostly petunias and begonias; and 1,500 pots of raspberries and poinsettias.

Prices of input materials such as fertilizers, pesticides, and plant pots remain stable for this year's flower and ornamental plant season. Thanks to the quality and variety of their produce, flower and ornamental plant growers expect a smooth sales process for Tet (Lunar New Year). Meanwhile, many forecasts predict a stable market for Tet flowers and ornamental plants this year, with little chance of price fluctuations. Familiar and easy-to-sell flower varieties are bringing in considerable income for growers.

“I use a drip irrigation system which is very convenient and saves water. This year, the flowers are growing and developing according to plan. Chrysanthemums are priced at 190,000 VND/pot, hanging flowers at 50,000 VND/pot, and raspberries at 150,000 VND/pot. The flowers are abundant and fetching good prices, so this Tet holiday will be more joyful and festive than in previous years,” Mr. Tam said.

In the gardens of Duy Xuyen, Thang Binh, and Nui Thanh districts, farmers intercrop various types of flowers such as apricot blossoms, peonies, marigolds, lilies, trumpet lilies, potted chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and marigolds… Mr. Ly Hoa (Phuoc Am village, Binh Trieu commune, Thang Binh district) said that planting many types of flowers helps avoid mass crop failure and losses. Besides, a diverse range of flower types makes them easier to sell.

“I grow a wide variety of Tet flowers to serve the market well; people can buy whatever they like. Luckily, this year all the flowers bloomed in time for Tet, and traders placed many orders, so I don't worry about sales. Growing Tet flowers is more profitable than other crops. Next year, I plan to expand the area for growing Tet flowers,” Mr. Hoa said.

Specializing in growing flowers and ornamental plants for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

In Hoi An City, distinct areas specializing in flower and ornamental plant cultivation have been established. Kumquat trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) are mainly concentrated in Tan An and Thanh Ha wards and Cam Ha commune. Hanging flowers are popular in Cam Chau ward and Cam Thanh commune. Chrysanthemums are grown in Cam Chau ward.

Mr. Le Ngoc Tam (Tan Thai village, Tam Thang commune, Tam Ky city) takes care of hanging flowers. Photo: Q. VIET

Mr. Nguyen Tan Thanh, residing in Son Pho neighborhood (Cam Chau ward, Hoi An), has been growing hanging flowers for the past three years. In his ^1,000m² garden covered with plastic sheeting, Mr. Thanh hangs layers upon layers of hanging baskets of flowers including snowdrop, snapdragon, petunia, aster, geranium, and iris. Mr. Thanh says hanging flowers are no longer a novelty and have become popular in many Hoi An gardens. He believes that people who understand the techniques for each type of flower and dedicate time to their care are more likely to succeed.

Hoi An hanging flowers have no problem finding buyers because the price is not high, they are suitable for street spaces, especially restaurants, meeting halls, hotels, and cafes that need hanging flowers to serve the enjoyment of their customers.

"Hanging flowers are very eye-catching, last for many days, but only cost a few tens of thousands of dong per basket. The more unusual the flowers, the more attractive they are. Cultivating and investing in hanging flowers provides a decent income, so I've been doing it for a long time," said Mr. Thanh.

Although the Lunar New Year is still more than a month away, garden owners in Cam Ha commune and Thanh Ha ward have already sold almost all of their ornamental kumquat trees.

Throughout the kumquat orchards in Dong Na and Trang Suoi villages, traders from Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Quang Tri, and Da Nang are flocking to place deposits to buy kumquats for Tet. At this time, the kumquats have turned yellow, waiting to ripen before being sold to people celebrating Tet.

“Cam Ha kumquats have become a brand name, so we buy and sell them during Tet. The kumquats here never shed their leaves during Tet, so customers prefer them. The branches and shapes of Hoi An kumquats are also very eye-catching. Prices are negotiated quickly; a Grade A pot costs 5 million VND, while a smaller pot costs over 1 million VND,” said Mr. Tran Hoa, a kumquat vendor in Da Nang City.

Mr. Mai Kim Phuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cam Ha commune, said that the local government always creates favorable conditions to help farmers grow kumquats for Tet, develop production, and establish their brand in the market.

Every year, the People's Committee of Cam Ha commune organizes a kumquat tree festival to promote and expand the sale of products for the local people. This is also an opportunity for people to exchange experiences in planting and caring for kumquat trees to develop the traditional craft of the locality.

For many years, Hoi An City has focused on planning to develop the flower and ornamental plant cultivation industry towards a commercial scale, aiming to achieve high economic value per unit of cultivated area.

Mr. Nguyen The Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City, shared that the city government always encourages and supports farmers in growing flowers and ornamental plants in an ecological and green way to protect the environment while ensuring the long-term, sustainable production of the farmers themselves.

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