Dong Thap (VNA) – Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have so far prepared more than 2.25 million pots of ornamental flowers for the Lunar New Year (Tet), one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.
According to Le Ha Luan, Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, the total output is broadly in line with the same period last year. Chrysanthemums continue to account for the largest share, with more than one million pots, alongside roses, lisianthus and a wide range of other varieties. Overall, crops have grown well and supply remains abundant, providing a solid basis for a stable Tet flower market.
As Tet is in the air and the harvest season gets underway, the My Phong flower village in My Phong ward has become increasingly bustling. Nearly one million pots have been carefully tended and are ready to go on sale. However, while prices have remained stable, rising production costs have forced growers to calculate more cautiously to ensure economic efficiency.
This Tet season, the local family of Nguyen Van Linh cultivated more than 4,000 baskets of flowers of various kinds. He said that all of the plants have already been ordered by traders and are awaiting harvest for market distribution, with prices largely unchanged from last year.
Nevertheless, Linh noted that erratic weather this year has caused some varieties, particularly Dutch chrysanthemums, to bloom around a week earlier than expected. At the same time, input costs such as seedlings, fertilisers and materials have risen by about 10% compared with last year, while selling prices have not increased, leading to a forecast decline in profits for growers.
Sharing similar concerns, Nguyen Van Sau, who has more than 20 years of experience growing Tet flowers in My Phong, said his family planted around 2,500 baskets this season, including 1,000 baskets of Dutch chrysanthemums. Although traders have already placed deposits, he continues to closely monitor weather conditions to adjust care regimes, as early or uneven blooming could affect selling prices.
According to the ward’s economic, infrastructure and urban division, local farmers planted around 986,000 baskets of fresh flowers for Tet 2026, up more than 136% year-on-year, along with 15,500 yellow apricot trees, an annual increase of over 198%. The expansion reflects farmers’ expectations of strong market demand during the upcoming holiday.
Unlike previous years, however, most traders have refrained from making early deposits, opting instead to purchase directly from fields closer to Tet, based on actual demand at flower markets. This has required growers to be more proactive in cultivation while accepting certain price risks. Even so, prices have remained stable compared with 2025, contributing to a more positive outlook for both sellers and buyers.
To support consumption, a spring flower market has been organised at Hung Vuong Square in Dao Thanh ward, with around 500 stalls. By the end of January, farmers in My Phong had registered for more than 300 stalls, while 20 households planned to sell their ornamental plants outside the province, mainly at spring flower markets in Ho Chi Minh City. This is considered an important distribution channel to ease pressure on the local market.
The division noted that, as in previous years, demand for ornamental flowers is expected to rise sharply in the days immediately before Tet. With prices remaining stable, it is forecast that by around the 29th day of the final lunar month - the last day of the Year of the Snake, which falls on February 16, local farmers will have sold approximately 97-98% of their planted flower output./.
Cultural, shopping activities enliven Tet season in the capital
The events aim to enhance shopping and cultural experiences during the country’s biggest traditional festival while contributing to the development of the capital’s cultural industries and tourism.
