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With just over a month until the Lunar New Year Binh Ngo 2026, farmers in Thoi An Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, are working tirelessly in preparation for Tet.
The Thoi An flower village, a familiar destination for shoppers and traders every New Year season, has entered its busiest period of the year. From early morning, the streets and gardens are alive with activity - watering, pruning, fertilizing, and shaping each plant to perfection.
At 2 PM, under an intense sun, farmers are bent over rows of chrysanthemums, applying fertilizer and guiding each bloom into ideal form. Every step is done by hand, with precision and patience.
Trinh Thi Kim Lan starts her day at 5:30 AM and doesn’t finish until nearly 7 PM. Her routine includes watering, fertilizing, spraying pesticides, and shaping plants.
“You have to time everything just right, and take care of each plant carefully so they bloom evenly and beautifully for Tet,” she said.
Daily wages for farm workers range from around USD 10 to 12, depending on the workload and number of pots handled.
This year, unpredictable rain and sun cycles have caused widespread root rot, forcing farmers to spend nearly double on fertilizer and chemicals to rescue their plants.
Across more than 5,000 square meters and over ten flower varieties, the workload is constant. To combat heat exhaustion, farmers drink iced water throughout the day and take short breaks in the shade when necessary. Despite the exhaustion, they return to the fields determined to see their plants thrive.
Nga Vu, a grower, is seen sowing diem cuc (golden cosmos) seeds into starter trays. If the plants grow well, they’ll be sold in matching pairs. Each pot contains three flowers, priced at around USD 2.25 per pot.
Thanks to a loyal customer base built over the years, Nga remains confident in her sales, even as the economic outlook remains uncertain. In fact, some longtime buyers have already placed larger-than-usual orders, despite tighter household budgets.
Bo Hoa, a seasoned grower with more than a decade of experience, is carefully trimming back leaves for the first time - an essential step to encourage fuller, more vibrant blooms by Tet. He will repeat this process a week later to ensure the best results.
Le Minh Tam, now in his fifth year of flower cultivation, wears a broad smile even under the scorching sun.
“This job is hard, but every pot holds our love and pride. We want them to look their best when families bring them home for the New Year,” he said.
Heavy rains and storm activity this season have made farming more difficult than usual. Still, growers remain hopeful that the Tet flower market will thrive, bringing joy and prosperity to people amid economic challenges.
Tuan Hung
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