The vibrant colors of spring flowers beautify the urban space while carrying expectations for a warm and prosperous Tết season for garden owners and small merchants.

In recent years, the hobby of playing with flowers and ornamental plants every Tết has become a beautiful tradition in many Vietnamese families. Instead of just buying a peach branch or a kumquat tree for luck at the beginning of the year, many people now focus more on choosing flowers and plants that fit their living space, reflecting their aesthetic taste as well as their wishes for a peaceful and affluent new year. Notably, the trend of buying plants early, from a few weeks to a month before Tết, is becoming increasingly common. Instead of waiting until the very last days of the year as before, many families proactively shop at the beginning or middle of the twelfth lunar month to decorate their homes. To catch this consumption trend and the market demand at the end of the year, shops and households in the province have planned their supply early. Merchants shared that the volume of flowers and plants imported for this year’s Tết has doubled compared to last year to meet the anticipated high demand.

About two weeks before the Tết holiday, the Điện Biên market has grown even more vibrant as unique and strange ornamental plants from many provinces and cities have poured in. Famous peach gardens from Sơn La, Lào Cai, and Hà Nội, ornamental kumquats from Hưng Yên, and orchids and yellow apricots from the lowlands have converged at streets, flower markets, supermarkets, and commercial centers, providing consumers with many choices. The richness in species, sizes, and styles has made this year’s market even more attractive. Nguyễn Văn Thắng, a merchant near Mường Thanh bridge, noted that the market has seen positive changes in both scale and variety. While it previously revolved around peaches and kumquats, it now includes chrysanthemums, lilies, gerberas, poinsettias, and especially phalaenopsis orchids in many colors and pot styles to serve the increasing needs of customers. Nguyễn Văn Thắng added that he tries to keep prices stable and provides careful advice to customers on how to care for the plants so they remain beautiful throughout the holiday.

The price segments are quite diverse and suitable for many types of customers. Popular products like coconut-shell kumquat trees are priced from VND 200,000 to VND 400,000 per tree, while raspberry chrysanthemums cost between VND 400,000 and VND 800,000 per pot. Small-shaped peach trees range from VND 800,000 to VND 1,500,000 per tree and are chosen by many families. Furthermore, higher-value products such as ancient peach trees or those with unique shapes attract attention with prices ranging from VND 4,000,000 to VND 8,000,000, or even tens of millions. Although orchids have higher prices compared to other flowers, they still attract many viewers and buyers. Nguyễn Thị Hồng, a customer at the Mường Thanh flower market, remarked that the variety of flowers and stable prices allow buyers to have more choices. She believes buying flowers early helps her family have more time for decoration and to fully feel the coming spring atmosphere. Selecting an ideal plant is not just about beautifying the home but also about sending wishes for a prosperous and successful new year.

A notable point in the Điện Biên flower market recently is the increasing appearance of yellow apricot flowers. Although not yet as common as in southern provinces, yellow apricot pots with beautiful shapes and brilliant yellow flowers create a unique attraction. These are mainly transported from the lowlands to serve customers who want to innovate their Tết space or who love the yellow color, a symbol of luck and prosperity. This presence reflects the cultural exchange in the hobby of playing with Tết flowers among local people. Regarding supply, part of the flowers and plants are grown locally to utilize the suitable climate and soil conditions, while a large volume is imported from neighboring areas and traditional flower villages in Sơn La, Hưng Yên, and Hà Nội. Diversifying the supply ensures both quantity and quality while allowing consumers to access new and strange varieties.

Beyond specialized shops, many households use the space in front of their houses or sidewalks to sell plants. Nguyễn Thị Tuyết from Mường Thanh ward shared that she likes the early Tết atmosphere and chose a pot of raspberry chrysanthemums and a small kumquat tree for her living room. Merchants noted that purchasing power usually increases sharply starting 10 days before Tết and peaks in the final days. During this time, many sales points must operate from early morning until late at night. Despite the hard work, everyone expects a successful season to compensate for months of care. For many garden owners, the joy is not just about the profit but also about seeing their products beautify every family and street corner during the holiday. The vibrant market reflects the changes in the needs, tastes, and living standards of the people of Điện Biên, spreading a joyful and warm atmosphere as they head into the new year.