Orchids for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year): Beautiful and not cheap.

(Baonghean.vn)ButThe vibrant orchid and cymbidium orchid pots from Hanoi, Da Lat, Sapa, and some imported from Korea and China, cost from a few million to tens of millions of dong, but they still attract buyers during Tet.

This year, orchids have been imported in large quantities. Photo: Vo Son

These days, orchid shops at the Tet Dinh Dau 2017 spring flower market on Truong Thi Street (Vinh City) are bustling with customers. On average, each orchid shop here imports a large quantity of orchids for sale during Tet. The orchids are 100% imported from various places such as Hanoi, Da Lat, Sapa, and Taiwan (China).

Ms. Thai Thi Quynh Hoa, owner of an orchid shop, said: "In the last few years, along with peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, kumquat trees, etc., the hobby of buying orchids for Tet (Lunar New Year) has become popular among people in Vinh City and surrounding areas. This is the third year I've been selling orchids during Tet. Experience from previous years shows that although the investment is large, the purchasing power of the people is high, so Ms. Hoa doesn't worry about unsold goods."

Despite their high price, orchids remain a popular item among consumers. Photo: Vo Son

This year, her shop has a large quantity of phalaenopsis and cymbidium orchids in many vibrant colors: pink, peach, rose, purple, burgundy, violet, yellow, ivory... Each plant has only one stem. Phalaenopsis orchids cost 200,000 VND/plant; cymbidium orchids cost from 600,000 to 800,000 VND/plant. Depending on the customer's choice and requirements, the price of an orchid pot is calculated based on the number of stems. To have a vibrant orchid pot with large flower stems for Tet (Lunar New Year), the price can reach 8-10 million VND, while more affordable options range from 2-4 million VND.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, from Hung Phuc, who came to the Spring Flower Market to choose orchids for Tet (Lunar New Year), shared: “This Tet, my family decided to buy orchids because they are beautiful, have vibrant colors, and are not heavily affected by the weather. Moreover, the flowers last a long time; a potted orchid can last for 2-3 months. I find the orchids this year very beautiful, with large blooms, fresh green stems, and reasonable prices.”

Orchid pots are priced from one to several million dong. Photo: Vo Son

The type of orchid many people choose for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is the Phalaenopsis orchid. According to orchid enthusiasts, Phalaenopsis orchids not only bring wealth, luck, and prosperity to the homeowner, but they also last a long time, making them suitable for Tet celebrations. If you take care of the plant—avoiding spraying water directly on the flowers and keeping them out in direct sunlight—the flowers can last up to two months.

A pot of phalaenopsis orchids. Photo: Vo Son

Furthermore, decorating with orchids during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is considered a luxurious yet popular pastime. There are hundreds of orchid species, and depending on the variety, the price of orchids ranges from around 500,000 VND per plant for common varieties to 1-2 million VND for varieties like the fiery orange or queen yellow orchids.

Vo Son