In the Vietnamese psyche, flowers are not only for decoration but also symbolize spring, a lucky beginning, and family reunion. When mentioning Tet in the South, it's hard to ignore Sa Dec flower village, a peaceful land along the Tien River, where farmers are dedicated to growing ornamental flowers, creating the distinctive spring colors of Southern Vietnam.
Sa Dec Flower Village, Dong Thap Province. (Image from the Internet)
Flower cultivation in Sa Dec began in the early 20th century in Tan Quy Dong Hoa. Initially, people only grew flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year) decorations and small-scale trading. Thanks to the fertile alluvial soil and favorable climate, the flowers thrived, and flower cultivation gradually developed into a major livelihood for many households.
Over the decades, flower cultivation has not only provided a stable income for thousands of families but has also shaped the distinctive cultural identity of Sa Dec, a place synonymous with the vibrant colors of flowers every spring .
Currently, Sa Dec flower village is one of the largest ornamental flower centers in the Mekong Delta, with over 3,000 households growing flowers on hundreds of hectares and thousands of different flower varieties .
Sa Dec flower village, Dong Thap province. (Image from the Internet)
Sa Dec flowers not only serve the domestic market but are also widely distributed throughout the Mekong Delta region, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other provinces and cities.
Another unique aspect is that flower cultivation here is considered an intangible cultural heritage of the people of Southern Vietnam, demonstrating its long-standing spiritual value and its contribution to the cultural identity of the Southern region.
Unlike other typical flower-growing regions, the unique feature of Sa Dec flower village is its model of growing flowers on elevated platforms above the water. Flower pots are placed on a system of iron or bamboo trellises to prevent the plants from being submerged during the flood season and to maximize sunlight. Thanks to the warm tropical climate and fertile alluvial soil, Sa Dec flowers often bloom early, displaying their vibrant colors just in time for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).
A unique farming method using floating trellises on the water surface. (Image: Internet)
The image of farmers wading through water or paddling boats amidst flower trellises is one of the unique characteristics found only in Sa Dec.
Flower care process
– Seed selection: Gardeners carefully select and plan for suitable flower varieties such as chrysanthemums, tiger chrysanthemums, roses, petunias, marigolds, etc., to ensure they bloom at the right time for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).
– Care: From the 11th lunar month onwards, flower growers intensify pruning and regulate light to ensure the flowers bloom precisely for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).
Watering and caring for the flowers. (Image from the Internet)
– Distribution: The last week of the twelfth lunar month is when the flowers reach their peak color, are harvested, arranged into pots, baskets, and flower arrangements, and distributed to markets of all sizes, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and other provinces and cities.
In particular, millions of flower baskets leave Sa Dec by both waterway and road to meet the demand for Tet flowers in the final days of the year and to carry the colors of spring to all parts of the country.
Besides supplying flowers for the Tet (Lunar New Year) market, Sa Dec also organizes the Sa Dec Ornamental Flower Festival. This is a key cultural activity during Tet in the locality. Visitors come here not only to sightsee and take photos but also to experience the spring atmosphere amidst fields of vibrant flowers. The festival has become an attractive cultural and tourism highlight, contributing to promoting the image of Sa Dec, boosting the local economy , and spreading the cultural values of the Mekong Delta region.
Sa Dec flower village is not only the largest ornamental flower production center in Southern Vietnam but also a symbol of the Southern spring, an indispensable part of Vietnamese Tet culture. The image of farmers busily tending to flowers at night, the bustling flower market in the days leading up to Tet, and boats laden with colorful flowers... create a vibrant and distinctive spring scene.
In Sa Dec, every Tet holiday, spring seems to bloom thanks to the diligent hands of the flower growers.
References:
- Thousands of tourists flock to Sa Dec Flower Village to admire the flowers in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) — Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper https://plo.vn/hang-ngan-khach-do-ve-lang-hoa-sa-dec-ngam-hoa-nhung-ngay-giap-tet-post774593.html
- Bustling flower village in Sa Dec in the days leading up to Tet — Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper https://plo.vn/nhon-nhip-lang-hoa-sa-dec-nhung-ngay-giap-tet-post831389.html
- The largest flower village in the Mekong Delta is in full swing for Tet — VnExpress https://vnexpress.net/lang-hoa-lon-nhat-mien-tay-vao-vu-tet-4839179.html
Ho Chi Minh City, February 14, 2026
Duong Kim Ngoc
Department of Communications, Education, and International Relations
Source: https://baotangphunu.com/xuan-mien-nam-tren-lang-hoa-sa-dec/
