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Thu Phan
Situated in the lower reaches of the Tien River, in the Mekong Delta, the soil of Tien Giang is enriched by year-round alluvial deposits. This has formed lush, fertile gardens. This area is not only renowned for delicious fruit like jackfruit, longans, durians, and star apples, but also famed as one of the three largest flower-growing regions in the Southwest. It’s especially vibrant in the springtime.
Speaking of Tien Giang’s flower gardens, the first place of note is My Tho flower village in My Tho City, Tien Giang province. Located along National Highway 50 in the communes of Dao Thanh, My Phong, and Tan My Chanh, My Tho flower village is at its busiest as Tet, the Lunar New Year, approaches, attracting traders and tourists from far and wide.
According to locals, the village began to grow flowers before 1975. In recent years, the number of households engaged in flower cultivation has significantly increased. Annually, they supply over a million pots of Tet flowers to the market. In My Tho flower village, some families have been in this business for four to five generations.
“Growing flowers is not only a livelihood but also a craft that brings beautiful flower pots to every family,” shared Mr. Sau, a garden owner in My Phong commune.
With rising demand for Tet flowers, the area for flower cultivation in Tien Giang has been expanding into Cho Gao and Go Cong Tay districts. Both the scale and variety of flowers have increased. Each year, local gardeners plant many types of brightly colored flowers in various sizes, including both native and foreign species. They care for their crops meticulously, ensuring that the flowers bloom in time for Tet.
The most popular flowers in Tien Giang include chrysanthemums morifoliums, marigolds, Cockscombs, Dutch daisies, Liasianthus, and gerberas. The flower fields are especially picturesque at dawn when soft, ethereal mist lingers over the flower beds.
As per the annual schedule, from the 10th day of the twelfth lunar month, the flower gardens become particularly busy. Workers who usually do other jobs now converge on the flower village for seasonal work. People of all ages, from young to old, participate in various tasks, such as pruning small shoots on the main branches or secondary flowers, staking, packing, transporting, etc. While working, they take the opportunity to chat. The sounds of laughter, voices, and vehicles add to the lively atmosphere.
As a photographer, I often visit Tien Giang’s flower region as Tet approaches to capture vibrant and lively scenes. I am particularly fond of hazy, backlit images of women in colorful conical hats attentively tending flower pots. Their simple beauty perfectly encapsulates the essence of this local flower-growing trade.
From the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, the flower village becomes busier than ever. All kinds of trucks are loaded with flowers for transport to markets in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Vung Tau, etc. Meanwhile, tricycles and motorcycles carry flowers to rural markets. I am always thrilled to be part of this hustle and bustle, and choose bright yellow chrysanthemums and marigolds from Ms. Ba’s garden for my family. As I load these flowers into my car at farm-gate prices, I wish the locals “lucky and prosperous” sales during the final days of the year.
Like any other agricultural trade, flower-farming is highly seasonal and greatly dependent on weather and market prices. Despite the ups and downs, the gardeners in Tien Giang’s flower region are always busy at the end of the year, striving to make a living and contributing to a vibrant spring, while enhancing the traditional Tet celebrations with richness and warmth.
