Opening of the 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival 2025: Elevating the Value of the "Flower Capital"

(DTO) On the evening of December 27, in Sa Dec Ward, the People's Committee of Dong Thap Province solemnly held the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival 2025, themed "Blossoms of a New Dawn".

This event is not only a unique cultural festival but also a reaffirmation of the city's position as a leading regional center for flower and ornamental plant production, aiming for sustainable development and international reach. 

The ceremony was honored to welcome distinguished current and former leaders of the Party and State: Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngân, former Member of the Politburo and former Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Ms. Truong My Hoa, former Secretary of the Party Central Committee and former Vice President; Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Mr. Bui Van Nghiem, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission; and Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung, Member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the National Assembly's Legal Committee.

Representing Ho Chi Minh City was Mr. Le Quoc Phong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. Representing Dong Thap Province were Ms. Chau Thi My Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with former provincial leaders, representatives from Vinh Long and Ca Mau provinces, international guests, and thousands of residents and tourists.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee  Pham Thanh Ngai emphasized that this festival marks a strong transformation for the Sa Dec Flower Village. It is an occasion to honor the diligence and creativity of "intellectual farmers"-the artisans who have turned the land along the Sa Giang River into the largest flower and ornamental plant hub in the Mekong Delta.

Currently, Sa Dec possesses over 2,000 types of flowers and ornamental plants, supplying over 15 million products to the market annually with an economic value of more than 3,000 billion VND. 

Notably, the joy of the people of the “Pink Lotus Land” was doubled when, at the ceremony, the Sa Dec flower and ornamental plant cultivation craft was officially inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

In the vibrant atmosphere, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan delivered an emotional speech sharing: "Sa Dec flowers are not only beautiful but also have a soul. The soul of fathers and mothers who wake up at dawn; the soul of calloused hands that still cherish every plant pot; the soul of successive generations who preserve the craft out of deep affection".

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan highlighted the importance of “creative economy” thinking, noting that a flower sold merely as a potted plant has limited value, but when combined with a story, an experience, or an artistic expression, its value becomes limitless.

He expressed his hope that Sa Dec would become a “creative space”, where young entrepreneurs and artists can find inspiration.

In particular, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly introduced the vision of a “heritage-based economy”: “Sa Dec is not only home to a flower village, but also to a noodle-making village, ancient pagodas, traditional houses, and old brick kilns. All of these are precious resources that need careful nurturing to create distinctive value for Dong Thap. If done well, this will generate sustainable livelihoods for the community”.

He concluded with a profound message: “Flowers do not speak, but they remind us to slow down, to live kindly and compassionately. Flowers teach us to bloom in the right season; bonsai teaches us the art of patience”.

The 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival 2025 takes place from December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, featuring many attractive activities: seminars on high-tech applications in production; immersive art spaces and unique flower fashion shows; large-scale ornamental exhibitions and OCOP product displays; and trade connection programs for domestic and foreign enterprises. 

The festival is not only a playground for artisans but also an opportunity for every Sa Dec citizen to become a "tourism ambassador," promoting the friendly and hospitable image of their homeland.

During the Opening Ceremony, the locality celebrated dual achievements: the official recognition of the Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Craft as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) establishing a record for the "Map of Vietnam shaped from the largest number of flower and ornamental plant varieties in Vietnam".

The opening night concluded with a brilliant fireworks display and special artistic performances, kicking off a promising festival week. As reaffirmed by Mr. Le Minh Hoan: "Sa Dec flowers are imbued with the love of the people and the land. Sa Dec people are deeply connected to the land and the flowers." The 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival 2025 serves as a milestone, propelling the Sa Dec flower brand further on the global economic and tourism map.

By MY NHAN
Translated by X.QUANG