A century of the fragrant beauty of Sa Dec flowers.

In the early days of the new year, Sa Dec, the "kingdom of flowers," is resplendent with thousands of blossoms. The people of the flower-growing villages celebrate the recognition of Sa Dec's flower and ornamental plant cultivation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is not only a tribute to the centuries-old craft but also a "launching pad" for Sa Dec ward to write a new chapter on its journey of integration and sustainable development.

FROM HISTORICAL UNDERGROUNDS TO CULTURAL HERITAGE

Sa Dec flower village is not simply a purely economic production area; it is a "living museum," a vivid testament to the history of land reclamation in the old Southern region of Vietnam.

Miniature landscape "Heart combined with the national flag" at the 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival, 2025.

Formed and developed approximately 300 years ago along the tranquil Tien River, originating from the simple rose and chrysanthemum gardens of our ancestors, Sa Dec has undergone a long and proud journey to become a cultural symbol of the Land of Pink Lotus.

Arriving in Sa Dec on New Year's Day, amidst the changing seasons, we easily sensed the bustling and vibrant pace of life more than ever before.

Vast fields of flowers are vying to show off their colors, and farmers are diligently tending to each potted plant and ornamental tree in preparation for the 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Tree Festival in 2025, themed "The Colors of a New Day."

"Over a hundred years ago, the profession of growing flowers and ornamental plants took root along the Sa Giang River as a gentle way of life, sowing hope in the alluvial soil. Sa Dec flowers bloom not in greenhouses, but in the gentle rain and sunshine, even during the arduous flood seasons. Each flower that blooms is a time for the farmer to bend down to the earth, to look up to the sky, and to learn patience."

VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LE MINH HOAN

A historic milestone was officially established on December 26, 2025, when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to recognize the Sa Dec flower and ornamental plant cultivation profession as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

This event is not only a source of pride for the people of Dong Thap , but also an affirmation of the unique value of the wealth of farming experience passed down through generations.

It is "indigenous knowledge" not found in books, but absorbed only through the sweat, tears, and intense love for the land of the people of Sa Dec.

While hundreds of years ago, along the Tien River, our ancestors created orchards laden with fruit and vast rice paddies, along the Sa Giang River, which connects the Hau River with the Tien River, our forefathers diligently nurtured the first flower varieties.

Through skillful hands and hard work, the people of Sa Dec have transformed small, scattered flowerbeds into a vast flower and ornamental plant production area of ​​nearly 1,000 hectares, with over 2,000 diverse varieties, becoming the largest flower and ornamental plant production center in the Mekong Delta.

The development of Sa Dec is not only measured by its area or the number of trees, but also by the dramatic transformation in the mindset of its farmers.

According to the analysis of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan, traditional craft villages have been undergoing three important transformation stages: The first generation, sowing seeds with their hands and diligence; the second generation, paving the way with economic thinking, bringing flowers to the streets; and the third generation, flourishing through art and science and technology.

Currently, the flower village has approximately 4,000 production households, 190 business households, and dozens of cooperatives. The estimated production value for 2024 is over 3,000 billion VND.

But the most impressive figure is the transformation in their image, from purely farmers to "tourism workers."

"TOURISM AMBASSADORS" AMONG FLOWER GARDENS

Visiting Sa Dec these days, walking amidst fields of vibrant yellow chrysanthemums or fragrant marigolds, we clearly feel the pulse of a land that is strongly developing.

The gardeners of Sa Dec Flower Village diligently cultivate many kinds of flowers to beautify life.

While in the past, farmers were only familiar with "selling their faces to the earth and their backs to the sky," tending to their potted plants and waiting for traders, now the story of a "dual goal" of both production and tourism has become the dominant trend.

Now, each garden is a stopover point, and each local resident is a true "tourism ambassador".

Tran Thanh Hung, head of the "Together We Do Tourism" association, shared: "Previously, farmers only knew how to grow and sell flowers and ornamental plants, but today they know how to combine it with tourism business to increase their economic income."

This elevates the Sa Dec flower brand, attracting more customers to visit the gardens to experience and purchase the flowers firsthand.

"It is the genuine warmth and hospitality of the people of Sa Dec, blended with the fragrance and beauty of the flowers, that creates an irresistible attraction for tourists from all over the world."

The 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival is not only a celebration of colors, but also an opportunity for the people of Sa Dec Flower Village to "show off" their talent and creativity.

Mr. Dang Van Giau, head of the Tan An Ornamental Flower Production and Supply Cooperative (Sa Dec ward), designed a miniature landscape titled "Heart combined with the national flag," covering 70 m², made from approximately 1,600 pots of periwinkle, pico chrysanthemum, and pompom chrysanthemum flowers.

"The 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival in 2025 is a strong commitment of the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Thap province to continue building a modern, green, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem. The Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival becomes even more meaningful when the province's folk knowledge, traditional crafts, and flower and ornamental plant cultivation are officially inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage."

"This is not just an award, but a tribute to cultural values ​​that have been nurtured over generations."

Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap Province, Pham Thanh Ngai

Mr. Dang Van Giau happily stated: "During the recent Festival, we set aside a portion of our most beautiful flowers to serve visiting tourists, hoping to further highlight the characteristic flower varieties of Sa Dec."

Not content with traditional flower varieties like chrysanthemums, marigolds, and roses, Sa Dec is witnessing a strong rise of technology and imported varieties. Today, Sa Dec farmers are not afraid to take on the challenge of cultivating "fussy" flower varieties from cold climates.

At the Western Lodge eco-tourism area, Mr. Doan Huu Nhieu boldly invested in planting 100 new flower varieties such as lavender, maple, snapdragon, etc., using F1 seeds imported directly from the Netherlands.

The cultivation of exotic flower varieties on the alluvial soil of Sa Dec is a testament to the aspiration to elevate the image of local agricultural tourism, demonstrating that the farmers here are ready to integrate globally.

However, the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage is not just an award, but also a difficult "challenge" regarding the responsibility of preservation linked to development.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, Pham Thanh Ngai, affirmed: "We always ask ourselves, after the festival, how should Sa Dec flowers be elevated? Tourists come not only to see and take pictures, but also to have tangible and intangible products made from flowers."

"We must connect the flower industry with other distinctive products so that when people think of Dong Thap, they immediately think of the capital of flowers, fruits, rice, catfish, etc., contributing to building an ecological agriculture and smart farmers."

Being recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage not only contributes to preserving traditional farming techniques and the historical memory of the craft village, but also affirms the special role of Sa Dec in the economic and cultural life of the Mekong Delta region.

The century-old charm of Sa Dec Flower Village lies not only in the tangible beauty of its flowers, but also in its profound cultural depth, in the optimistic spirit and unwavering determination of the people of Sa Dec.

DUONG UT

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/tram-nam-huong-sac-hoa-sa-dec-a235142.html