Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

By Giang Huy   February 4, 2021 | 05:50 pm PT
One week before the Lunar New Year, flower villages like Nhat Tan and Tu Lien in Hanoi are abnormally silent.
Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Peach blossoms in Nhat Tan Ward, Tay Ho District are blooming due to the warm weather.

The price for a small peach blossom branch ranges from VND80,000 ($3.5) to VND100,000, medium-sized branches from VND250,000 to VND300,000 and big branches from around VND2-4 million ($87-174).

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Hoa from Nhat Tan is excited because she has sold five big peach blossom trees for between VND500,000 and VND1.5 million.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Her family's peach blossom garden boasts 300 trees.

"The peach blossoms are blooming so early due to the warm weather. This year, the number of customers is only one third of last year," Hoa said.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Farmers prune branches and pluck leaves to make the trees more beautiful.

"This year, the weather is complicated, so it is quite hard to take care of the trees. Many still bloomed before Tet despite our efforts," said Huong, a garden owner.

Tet, Vietnam's biggest holiday, peaks on Feb. 12 this year.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

A big peach blossom tree is being transported to a company that rented it for Tet display for VND30 million ($1,300).

"Large peach blossom trees are being rented for VND20-50 million. There are some trees that can be rented for up to VND70 million. This year, due to the pandemic, the number of customers has remarkably decreased," said Manh Hung, another garden owner in Nhat Tan.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Mai from Tu Lien Village transports peach blossom branches to the street for sale. She bought them for VND80,000-300,000 a piece.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

These days, Quang An flower market in Tay Ho District has far fewer customers than the previous years.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

There are also fewer customers buying kumquat trees.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Bonsai kumquat trees in golden buffalo pots are typically sold for VND6-10 million per tree.

Hanoi flower villages lack customers ahead of Tet

Farmers in Tu Lien kumquat village, Tay Ho District focus on taking care of their trees in the hope more customers would soon arrive.

 
 
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