The beauty of Xuan Thanh Nam flower market.

For a long time, every year at the end of November and the beginning of December, the people of Thanh Nam in general, and Nam Dinh ward in particular, eagerly await the Spring Flower Market. Although the market doesn't officially open until the last week of December, from around the middle of December, as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, around the Trellis area and Hoa Binh Square - where the market has been open for decades - people can already clearly feel the vibrant spring atmosphere and the lively hustle and bustle of the Spring Flower Market.

The joy of going to the spring flower market.

Along the streets of Pham Hong Thai, Tran Quoc Toan, Ha Huy Tap, Tran Phu, and Cot Co, hundreds of flower varieties converge, spreading their fragrance and displaying their beauty. Ornamental plants, shaped trees, bonsai, and decorative plants of all kinds compete for attention. Tea plants, chrysanthemums, orchids, dahlias, azaleas, peonies, and Japanese jasmine are laden with buds, waiting for the spring rains to burst into bloom. Rows of petunias, string of pearls, and lipstick plants hang in rows, swaying in the breeze. Dendrobium orchids are grafted onto longan or driftwood roots, their thick flower stalks ready to welcome spring amidst their vibrant green leaves. Ancient peach trees, planted and cared for for decades, have mossy trunks, large, vibrant blossoms, and countless buds reaching to the top, their tender shoots gently caressing the branches.

In the context of cultural development and exchange, vibrant yellow apricot blossom trees from the South are also transported from the southern provinces to cater to customers' preferences... Each type of tree and flower carries its own meaning, but all convey a common aspiration and belief in a prosperous, healthy, and lucky new year. With the diversity and abundance of varieties and reasonable prices, people visiting the Spring flower market increasingly have more choices to decorate their family's space for Tet (Lunar New Year).

The Lunar New Year is a time when the demand for flowers and ornamental plants increases sharply, making flower growers and vendors even busier. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, a resident of the flower and ornamental plant growing village in Vi Khe ward, which has a history of over 800 years, said: “Every year, I bring lilies and chrysanthemums from my garden to sell at the Spring flower market. In addition, my family also imports high-quality flowers to meet customer demand.”

Nguyen Thanh Trung, a business specializing in selling Japanese Plum Blossom flowers, said: "This type of flower is chosen by many customers because of its delicate and subtle fragrance and unique beauty. The process from bud formation to flowering and wilting of the Japanese Plum Blossom is like a magical painting of changing colors. When in full bloom, the flowers are pure white, but as they are about to wither, they turn a fiery red, full of vitality, before falling off."

For locals and tourists alike, visiting the flower market has become an indispensable cultural tradition of the Lunar New Year. Ms. Do Thuy Phuong, born and raised in Thanh Nam, shared: "Although my family moved to Hanoi nearly ten years ago, every year I return to my hometown to visit the Spring flower market to experience the vibrant Tet atmosphere, buy a few pots of chrysanthemums, a bunch of peonies, and violets."

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Truc, a retired official on Hung Vuong Street, said: "Every time I leisurely stroll through the flower market, it not only brings moments of peace to my soul but also ignites so much hope for a new spring season filled with reunion, warmth, and happiness."

Along with apricot blossoms, kumquats, and peach blossoms—indispensable plants during Tet—he meticulously selects a pot of cymbidium orchids, ensuring they meet the traditional criteria for flower appreciation: "First, color; second, fragrance; third, stem; fourth, leaves." According to Mr. Truc, collecting a pot of cymbidium orchids from the Hai Hau region is especially valuable, as these orchids are renowned for their resilience, rich roots, plump stems, durable bases, and long-lasting fragrance. These outstanding qualities are due to the fact that the orchids are typically grown in paddy fields specifically used for growing tám rice, soaked in the fertile alluvial soil that nature has generously provided to this coastal region.

Besides the long-standing traditional flower market in Hoa Binh Square, in recent years, as the city has expanded, several new flower markets have been established, creating a unique beauty and adding vibrant colors to Nam Dinh ward every Tet (Lunar New Year) and Spring season. Walking along the small road bordering Tuc Mac Park lake on the extended Tran Hung Dao road, people can admire two long rows of tall Dien pomelo trees, laden with clusters of ripe, golden fruit; and intricately shaped kumquat trees planted in rustic Bat Trang ceramic pots.

In particular, the area in front of the Nam Cuong Hotel is a hub for selling a wide variety of plants and flowers. Among them, Phalaenopsis orchids from Quang Tuy and Lannia nurseries, originating from Da Lat, come in a full range of types, colors, and sizes, expertly arranged in pots or custom-designed according to customer requests.

Besides, the presence of many types of flowers such as pear blossoms, plum blossoms, wild peach blossoms, and snow apricot blossoms from the northern mountainous provinces also brings a new and unique beauty, which many people love to buy. In addition, today's flower markets also feature stalls selling a variety of decorative accessories such as: red envelopes, gold coin hanging decorations, red firecracker strings, lanterns, mini couplets, etc.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), in the cool chill of the drizzling rain, everyone still tries to set aside some time to leisurely visit the flower market, to admire and choose the perfect potted plants and flowers to decorate their homes for the new year. Sometimes, going to the flower market is simply to observe the lively atmosphere of buying and selling, to take a few photos with family and friends as souvenirs, to immerse oneself in a space rich in culture and nostalgia, and to recall childhood memories and cherished moments.

Text and photos: Lam Hong

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/net-dep-cho-hoa-xuan-thanh-nam-260116095547083.html