Land and people of the flower village

Updated on: 01/01/2024 05:31:45

DTO - From a patch of land along the Tien River, without a place name, surrounded by water on three sides, yet with a beautiful, fertile, and prosperous landscape... Many people from "the North" came here to clear the land, settle, and form a community. By the time of Gia Long, "Tan Qui Dong village" was established. This was one of the 52 villages of Vinh Trung commune, belonging to Vinh Thanh district (also one of the five districts of the former Gia Dinh Citadel).

Mr. Nguyen Van Hon - Chairman of the People's Committee of Sa Dec City, speaking at the ceremony to express gratitude and honor ancestors and celebrate the ornamental flower growing profession in Sa Dec in 2021 (photo courtesy).

A few years later, Trinh Hoai Duc had the opportunity to observe Tan Qui Dong village and recorded in "Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi" in 1820 that: "Although this place is nestled in forests and streams, it is close to the city. Those who want tranquility can go to the northern riverbank, row across the Tien Giang River , and bathe in the wind and moonlight. Those who prefer vibrancy can go to the southern riverbank, row down the Sa Dec River, and stroll through the city." This shows that Tan Qui Dong had a "prime" location from the very beginning.

Trịnh Hoài Đức carefully observed the life and living conditions of the inhabitants here and wrote: "Having fields to cultivate is good for farmers, having deep rivers is also good for fishermen; it offers all kinds of pleasures, truly worthy of being called an island with exceptionally beautiful scenery."

Three centuries of ups and downs alongside history, from Tan Qui Dong hamlet, then to village, at times a household, then a commune, and finally a ward today. The place name Tan Qui Dong, "Hero of the Armed Forces," still retains its heroic spirit of courage, bravery, and talent – refined and elegant, its reputation resounding throughout the North and South, spreading to friends around the world as a "Flower Village" that has made Sa Dec City a "City of Flowers," a "Global Learning City"!

The process of developing and conquering nature here involved overcoming many difficulties and challenges. At times, our ancestors felt small and almost powerless in the face of nature's harshness, relying only on the supernatural. Therefore, spiritual life blossomed, and the need for offerings and flowers became essential. From then on, flower cultivation served both to beautify the landscape and to fulfill spiritual needs, expressing gratitude to heaven and earth during religious ceremonies. Initially, flowers were only for individual families and individuals; there were no means to sell them widely. Gradually, giving, gifting, and exchanging flowers grew until they became a commodity, bought and sold in the markets. The formation of a new profession in agriculture began, established, and gained a certain place in the lives and activities of the inhabitants at that time: the cultivation of ornamental flowers. Besides the pioneers who have not been thoroughly researched to "leave their mark for eternity" and "enter the annals of history," more recently, those who are "searching for gold in the sand" have discovered names such as the families of Mr. Pham Van Nhan, Vo Van Phu, Tran Van Dau, Pham Van Xoai... This is called the "pioneering generation" - from the late 19th century to 1930.

The struggle for democracy, people's livelihoods, and civil rights from 1930 to 1945, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, forced the French to loosen their policies of rule. On the other hand, in order to plunder wealth and exploit the natural resources of our country, they made some progress in transportation. From then on, Sa Dec ornamental plants had the opportunity to be sold in many places. In just 15 years, Sa Dec ornamental plants gained a reputation in the market, comparable to Cai Mon, Go Vap, Da Lat... During Tet (Lunar New Year), Sa Dec was bustling with activity as ornamental plants were transported throughout the six provinces of Southern Vietnam. The most well-known beautifiers at that time included: Mr. Hai Ky, Hai Nhung, Muoi On, Muoi Can, Nam Sam, and Van Phep; among them, Mr. Hai Huong was one of the earliest and most successful propagators of amber pine. This generation is considered to have "taken the bell to ring in a foreign land." The second generation of the flower village.

Portrait of Mr. Tu Ton

For thirty years (1945-1975), the country fought and also defeated two superpowers, France and the United States. No war is without sacrifice and loss... The flower village also suffered; some left, some never returned home, some became wounded soldiers, and others clung to their flower fields and gardens. During this arduous and fierce period, we must mention Mr. Duong Huu Tai (commonly known as Mr. Tu Ton). He did everything he could to maintain his flower garden, collecting new varieties of flowers, especially roses. His name is associated with "Tu Ton Rose Garden," and the rough, stony road in front of his garden was called "Rose Garden Road," and it remains the name of the road to this day. Before 1975, "Tu Ton Rose Garden" had been a nursery for new rose varieties for the whole of South Vietnam. Mr. Tu Ton and his contemporaries such as Hai Ghien, Bay Oanh, Ut Nho, Tu Ba, Sau Bo, Bay Pheo, Sau Kinh, and a number of others from this period whose names are not fully recorded, are the "Third Generation".

After April 30, 1975, the country was unified, but within just a few years, economic difficulties, natural disasters like floods, and border wars presented the nation with numerous challenges. The threat of food shortages loomed, the area dedicated to flower cultivation gradually shrank, and profits from ornamental plants were negligible. It wasn't until 1986, with the start of the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, that the ornamental plant industry revived. During this time, those who cultivated ornamental plants faced many hardships and difficulties to move forward and rebuild the flower-growing village amidst national renewal. This is the fourth generation of the ornamental plant village.

From 1990 to 2020, Sa Dec's ornamental flower industry has been closely linked to the country's development. Production here has continuously grown, creating a competitive advantage and unlocking the potential and advantages inherent in previous centuries. The application of scientific and technological achievements, biotechnology, hybridization, grafting, and cuttings has propelled Sa Dec's ornamental flower industry to remarkable growth, rapidly increasing in scale, skill level, and production value, beautifying the landscape, and contributing to improving the material and spiritual lives of Sa Dec residents. By the end of 2022, the area dedicated to ornamental flowers in Sa Dec reached nearly 1,000 hectares, with over 3,500 households and tens of thousands of people involved in cultivation, production, business, and services; providing products year-round to the whole country and for export. Since 2015, many garden owners have invested in building tourist attractions, drawing visitors from all over to visit and experience... These creative, quick-witted, determined, and well-educated workers are the Fifth Generation, some call them the "Golden Generation".

Residents of Tan Qui Dong ward are tending to ornamental plants (Photo: PL)

Three centuries have passed, five generations have cultivated ornamental plants, and the names of the places and people seem to blend together and shine brightly: Tan Qui Dong: Hero of the Armed Forces (awarded by the President in 1998). From Tan Qui Dong commune, it was renamed Tan Qui Dong Ward by a Decree signed by the Prime Minister (in 2004). From a "Ornamental Plant Village" that has been continuously nurtured, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province signed a Decision recognizing it as a "Traditional Craft Village" in 2007. From Sa Dec town (an ancient city), it was recognized by the Prime Minister as Sa Dec City - City of Flowers (in 2013) and a "Type II City" (in 2018). In 2019, UNESCO honored Sa Dec as a "Global Learning City".

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