The unsung "artisans"
From the beginning of January 2026, the atmosphere at Pham Quynh orchid nursery (Xich Tho residential area, An Hai ward) became more urgent and bustling. Those guiding customers through the garden, taking orders, and transporting the flowers—all stages were professionalized. In particular, more than a dozen florists were working at full capacity to meet customer deadlines.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, owner of Pham Quynh orchid nursery, along with the changing trends in orchid cultivation, Phalaenopsis orchids are no longer simply appreciated for the beauty of individual flower stems. Orchid enthusiasts are increasingly focusing on the overall potted plant, from its shape, color, and pot material to the feng shui significance it brings.
Therefore, the role of orchid arrangers is becoming increasingly important. They are not just people who fulfill orders, but also silent "artisans" who contribute to shaping the aesthetic taste and value of each orchid pot on the market. Mr. Hung added that this Tet season, his family's business supplied about 100,000 orchid stems of various types to the market.
To meet market demand, the facility hires additional staff for flower arranging and packaging, with peak periods seeing up to 50-60 people. Flower arrangers are typically divided into main and assistant florists. Main florists are responsible for the layout and aesthetic design of the flower arrangements, while assistants help with potting and securing the branches. Compensation is calculated flexibly based on the number of arrangements or the number of days worked, ensuring that the effort and skill of the florists are well-deserved.
According to Mr. Hung, the market for orchid arrangement services during Tet (Lunar New Year) is always short of high-quality personnel. Although the cost of paying a team of florists for a season can reach hundreds of millions of dong, it is very difficult to find experienced florists with good artistic sense if you don't book in advance.
According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Doan, an orchid arranger at Pham Quynh Orchid Nursery, the profession of orchid arrangement requires not only talent but also a sense of responsibility, perseverance, and continuous learning. Aesthetic trends change every year; if one follows a rigid pattern and lacks creativity, the orchid arrangement will become monotonous and fail to showcase the beauty of the flowers.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, a florist at an orchid shop on To Hieu Street, to create a beautiful orchid arrangement, florists must constantly update their techniques. A beautiful orchid arrangement is not just about the orchid itself, but also about the color coordination, balance, and feng shui significance of the different shapes. Each material, from ceramic pots to driftwood, requires specific arrangement techniques. A skilled florist is someone who knows how to "read" the flower's form, transforming disparate orchid branches into a unified artistic whole, conveying a message of good fortune to the homeowner for the year.
High income from flower arranging
According to our survey, the labor cost for flower arranging varies depending on the type of flower pot. For simple pots with a small number of flowers, the cost is around 10,000 - 15,000 VND per stem. For larger, more complex pots using 100 or more flower stems, the cost ranges from 20,000 - 25,000 VND per stem.
Earning an average of around 1 million VND per day, and potentially several million VND on peak days, this seasonal job truly offers high economic value. Nguyen Viet Doan, an orchid arranger at Pham Quynh Orchid Nursery, said that a skilled arranger can create about 100 orchid stems per day. With wages ranging from 15,000 VND per stem, the daily income is very stable. However, the biggest challenge is preserving the flowers and ensuring the accuracy of each arrangement, so that the orchid pots retain their original shape and aesthetic appeal during long-distance transportation.
In the hustle and bustle of the year-end season, the orchid growers continue their work. For them, orchid arranging is no longer simply a means of livelihood, but an art form, the culmination of time, effort, and meticulous care. Each orchid pot is a work of art, a product of their time, effort, and dedication.
HA MINHSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/tho-det-mua-xuan-535955.html
