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The large Tam Da lotus pond has been nurtured by Ly Mong Thanh and family for two years. The three-hectare pond sits on the riverside in District 9, 20 kilometers away from downtown Saigon.
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“At first, we just planned to grow and sell lotus flowers, but we started accepting visitors when many people started coming here to admire the flowers, take picture and even buy them. I grow a new batch of lotuses and extend the pond’s area every four months,” Thanh said.
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The owner has built a cottage, a foot bridge and set up a ladder for visitors to take pictures. The entrance fee is VND30,000 ($1.30) for one person.
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Lotuses starts blooming from June to September, and ponds become an ocean of green dotted with candy pink buds and blooms.
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Lotuses bloom at other times, too, but rarely. The water droplets on lotus leaves add to its beauty.
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Early morning, with dew drops still on the petals and leaves, is the time to see the lotuses at their best.
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The lotus pond welcomes many visitors each day, and weekends are crowded. Visitors can rent traditional Vietnamese costumes here for $2.16 to $3.03. Props like big vases and lotus bunches are also available.
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A single lotus is sold for about 21 cents.
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“I have traveled 40 kilometers here just to take pictures with the lotuses, because it’s hard to find a lotus pond this big elsewhere,” said Kieu Ai (pictured).