Hanoi: Flowers and ornamental plants flaunt on the eve of Tet

Though severely damaged by Typhoon Yagi in early September 2024, Hanoi's Tet flower and ornamental plant market has recovered and is bustling with activity on the eve of the Lunar Year of the Snake.

In the days leading up to the holiday, the peach blossom, apricot blossom and kumquat trees burst with color in a cheerful atmosphere for the traditional Tet, the most important and longest annual festival in Vietnam. 

At the Tet flower market at My Dinh Stadium Square in Nam Tu Liem District, the flowers and ornamental plants are so diverse this year! Mai Van Hoang, an orchid trader, told The Hanoi Times that a Phalaenopsis orchid branch costs about VND300,000 (US$12). Multiplied by the number of branches, a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid pot will cost about VND15 million (US$598) to more than VND20 million (US$797).

Small pots of orchids are displayed at the Tet flower market at My Dinh Stadium Square in Nam Tu Liem District. Photos: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times

"In addition to expensive ornamental flowers such as orchids, ornamental pomelos cost from VND3-5 million ($119-199). There are also many affordable peach, kumquat and bonsai products ranging from VND300,000 ($12) to VND2 million ($80), which suit many people's pocket," Hoang said.

Luong Thi Diu, a forty-year-old resident of Nam Tu Liem District, said: "I buy orchids every year to celebrate Tet. This year, not only orchids, but also flowers such as chrysanthemums, yellow apricots, and many others are sold in abundance, with beautiful colors, and the prices are not much higher than last year's Tet.

Phung Ngoc Son, Vice Chairman of Nam Tu Liem District People's Committee, said that Vietnamese people decorate their homes and offices with these ornamental plants during Tet to wish for prosperity and good luck.

"I hope the annual flower market in the district will help introduce the trade of flowers and ornamental plants from Hanoi's traditional  craft villages to a larger number of consumers inside and outside the city," Son told The Hanoi Times.

Orchids in majestic pots

Many capital streets like Hoang Hoa Tham, Lac Long Quan, Au Co, Vo Chi Cong are flooded with peach, kumquat and other colorful flowers. Although he lives in Dan Phuong District, about 20 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, Nguyen Xuan Vinh (56 years old) goes to Lac Long Quan Street every year to choose ornamental plants. 

"I recently bought a bonsai kumquat tree for my desk. With its thick leaves, green and unripe fruits, buds and flowers, the kumquat tree is incredibly attractive, which makes me very happy," Vinh told The Hanoi Times.

Bonsai kumquat trees are displayed on shelves on Hoang Hoa Tham Street. Kumquat fruits make a house brighter and warmer, especially in the cold northern weather.

For many Hanoi residents, going to the Hoang Hoa Tham flower market at the end of the year is a traditional event that cannot be missed during Tet. Therefore, in the past few days, the flower street has always been colorful with hundreds of flowers blooming together, creating a bustling atmosphere.

A flower and ornamental plant market that sells all year round, this place becomes busier during Tet. Flowers of many varieties and colors are displayed here, including azaleas, chrysanthemums, daffodils, white apricot blossoms, yellow apricot blossoms, tulips, and others.

Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District is filled with beautiful flowers of different species..

Peach blossoms are displayed in My Dinh Stadium Square. Talking about ornamental plants for Tet, one cannot fail to mention peach blossom, which is considered the traditional flower for Tet.

In addition to peach blossoms, many Hanoians are interested in yellow apricot blossoms, which show their colors in the sunshine.