The spring flower season is bustling.

Located in the lower reaches of the Tien River, part of the Mekong River system, Tien Giang province is enriched by alluvial deposits year-round, giving rise to fertile and prosperous orchards since ancient times.

This place is not only famous for its many delicious fruits such as jackfruit, longan, durian, and star apple, but also renowned as one of the three largest flower-growing areas in the Southwestern region of Vietnam, especially bustling during the spring season.

When talking about the flower hub of Tien Giang province, the first thing to mention is My Tho flower village (My Tho city, Tien Giang province). Located along National Highway 50, passing through the communes of Dao Thanh, My Phong, and Tan My Chanh, My Tho flower village is especially bustling during the Tet holiday season with traders and tourists flocking from all over.

Locals say that the flower village has existed here since before 1975, and in recent years the number of households engaged in flower cultivation has increased significantly, supplying the market with over a million potted flowers each Tet holiday. In My Tho flower village, some families have been involved in flower cultivation for four or five generations. "Flower cultivation is both a livelihood and a calling, bringing beautiful potted flowers to every family," shared Uncle Sau, a garden owner in My Phong commune.

With the booming Tet flower market, the area dedicated to flower cultivation in Tien Giang province is expanding into Cho Gao and Go Cong Tay districts to meet the growing demand from customers everywhere.

Besides expanding in scale, the flower growers also focus on variety. Many types of flowers with vibrant colors and various sizes, both native and imported varieties, are sown by the growers from the early months of the year, carefully tended, and timed to bloom beautifully for Tet (Lunar New Year). The most popular and favored flowers in Tien Giang are marigolds, chrysanthemums, cockscomb, Dutch chrysanthemums, lucky bamboo, and daisies… The most beautiful scene here is in the early morning when a soft, ethereal mist still lingers on the flower beds.

According to the annual schedule, from the 10th day of the 12th lunar month, the flower gardens become especially crowded with workers. Those who normally do other jobs now gather in the flower village to work seasonally. People of all ages, from young to old, participate in various stages of gardening, such as pruning (removing small shoots on main branches or secondary flowers), staking, packing, and transporting. While working, they chat, their laughter, calls, and the sounds of vehicles create a lively atmosphere.

Heritage Magazine