Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival: Love for the Land

Steeped in human kindness

According to Mr. Le Quoc Phong, Secretary of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee, over hundreds of years of formation and development, from the first farmers who brought flowers to cultivate in Sa Dec, along with the continuation of many generations, the unique flower village has been formed as it is today.

Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, delivered a speech at the first Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival held in Dong Thap province.

Sa Dec flowers and ornamental plants are now not only a brand representing a key agricultural sector in Dong Thap province, valued at over 6,000 billion VND, but have also become highly symbolic names, affirming the value, tradition, quality, and unique characteristics of this region.

From a humble flower village, Sa Dec has now taken on the appearance of a flower city. From a limited number of varieties and supplying products within a single province or region, it now boasts over 3,000 hectares of cultivated flowers and ornamental plants, with more than 2,000 varieties, supplying over 12 million products annually.

The largest flower and ornamental plant capital in the Mekong Delta is hosting the Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival for the first time.

Visiting Sa Dec flower village at any time of year, tourists are immersed in the vibrant colors of leaves and flowers, and the fresh vitality of new shoots and buds. At the same time, they can feel the bustling atmosphere of the flower village farmers, the lively trade, and the eagerness of tourists to explore.

This festival is expected to not only bring people and tourists exciting experiences and unique artistic programs, but also to be an opportunity to connect and promote the economic value of the flower and ornamental plant industry, bringing Sa Dec's flower and ornamental plant products to a new level and reach further.

"At this very moment, amidst this incredibly vibrant and colorful setting, I respectfully express my gratitude to the diligent people who have contributed to the century-long journey of building the reputation of Sa Dec Flower Village."

"We express our gratitude to the farmers and artisans whose hearts, hands, and minds have always strived tirelessly for the development of the flower and ornamental plant industry in Sa Dec and Dong Thap, so that for a thousand years, the love for the land, the love for the flowers, and the love for the people will forever be intertwined in our homeland of the Pink Lotus," Mr. Phong said.

The opening ceremony of the first Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival was held in a grand manner, as a tribute to the flower growers in the largest flower village in the Western region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, highly appreciated the initiative of Dong Thap province in organizing this Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival.

This is a meaningful cultural, economic, and tourism event, aiming to honor and acknowledge the tireless contributions of countless people involved in the cultivation of flowers, from farmers and cooperatives to experts, scientists, and the business community; and providing an opportunity to promote the unique agricultural products of the locality.

The festival welcomes a large number of international friends and tourists from near and far to visit, travel, experience, and participate in activities within the framework of the festival. This is also an opportunity for the province to promote its tourism brand and attract investment, creating conditions for businesses to meet, exchange, introduce products and establish cooperative links, helping Dong Thap's flower, ornamental plant, agricultural product and tourism brands confidently supply and meet domestic needs and expand to the region and the world.

Tourist destinations for the New Year holiday.

The first Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival organized by Dong Thap province, with the theme "Love for the Land - Love for the Flowers," will take place over 7 days (from December 30, 2023 to January 5, 2024). This is the largest-scale event ever held in Dong Thap, the capital of the "Land of Lotus Flowers."

The festival is an opportunity for Dong Thap to introduce, in a more complete and comprehensive way, to friends near and far the potential, strengths, and unique beauty of Sa Dec ornamental flowers, along with many rich, attractive, and distinctive activities.

Dong Thap will also showcase artistic flower and ornamental plant arrangements; display and exhibition of domestic and international flower and ornamental plant products; a flower and ornamental plant market; a photo exhibition space "Sa Dec Past and Present"; display and exhibition of ornamental plants; and flower lantern decorations.

For the first time, the people of Sa Dec Flower Village were able to immerse themselves in the largest flower and ornamental plant festival ever held.

In addition, along with street art performances, a reenactment of the Ancestor Worship Ceremony and a celebration of the Sa Dec ornamental flower cultivation profession… and many other activities will satisfy visitors during the Festival.

According to observations by reporters from Giao Thong Newspaper, on the evening of the event, Sa Dec city (Dong Thap province) welcomed thousands of visitors who came to explore, experience, and capture many beautiful moments alongside the dazzling baskets of vibrant flowers.

Ms. Thai Thuy Duong (34 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City) shared that upon hearing the news that the largest flower and ornamental plant capital in the Mekong Delta was organizing its first Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival, she and her family visited Sa Dec very early.

She said: "It's truly surprising that Dong Thap is organizing such a magnificent flower festival. I've visited many places that grow ornamental flowers, but Sa Dec is completely different because each basket of flowers seems to contain human emotion, making them look more soulful and enjoyable."

Locals expect that after the first Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival, the largest flower and ornamental plant capital in the Mekong Delta will become an attractive destination for tourists from near and far.

Nearby, with his eyes glued to the stage screen while watching the cultural performances, Mr. Huynh Van Quan (50 years old, residing in Sa Dec city) said: "I am a resident of the flower village and I feel even more proud that Sa Dec ornamental flowers are reaching further and becoming more widely known."

"Visiting this festival is the first time in my life I've seen such a large-scale flower and ornamental plant event organized in my hometown. I hope that after this event, Sa Dec flower city will become a destination and a preferred choice for many tourists from near and far in the future."

Currently, the total area for growing flowers and ornamental plants in Sa Dec is nearly 950 hectares, concentrated mainly in Tan Khanh Dong commune (324 hectares) and Tan Quy Dong ward (320 hectares).
The entire city has approximately 4,000 households producing flowers and ornamental plants, accounting for about 50% of the agricultural households in the city; and more than 200 flower and ornamental plant businesses. Sa Dec has 4 cooperatives, 1 credit fund, 10 cooperative groups, and 3 associations involved in the flower and ornamental plant industry.
The largest ornamental plant capital in the Western region currently boasts approximately 2,000 varieties of flowers and plants. Of these, landscaping and interior decoration plants account for 65%, flowers 20%, and antique bonsai 15%.
Popular flower varieties include chrysanthemums, forget-me-nots, sunflowers, petunias, daisies, gerberas, periwinkle, peonies, and various types of orchids… Along with flowers, many gardeners in Sa Dec earn a high income from growing ornamental plants such as yellow apricot blossoms, various types of foliage plants, and antique bonsai trees…

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/festival-hoa-kieng-sa-dec-tinh-dat-tinh-hoa-va-ca-tinh-nguoi-192231230221724123.htm