More than 95,000 flowerpots of chrysanthemums and roses in the flower village in Nghia Hiep commune, Tu Nghia district, have withered, making more than 400 households empty-handed. Mr. Le Van Tan, deputy chair of Nghia Hiep commune said that the historic floods damaged nearly 100 percent of the flower gardens for New Year holiday, worth over VND7 billion ($350,000).

Mrs. Phan Thi Hong Duc had taken care of over 700 pots of chamomile for three months but all of the trees were damaged by floods. "My family borrowed VND70 million ($3,500) to invest in these chamomile pots to serve the Lunar New Year but we are now empty-handed and in debt," she said.

In other communes in Tu Nghia district, people have to take flowerpots from the fields to their home to wait for the next-year flower season.

The floods have passed for over two weeks, but on November 29, Mrs. Ly in Dong Vien village, Nghia Hiep commune cleaned up her ravaged flower garden. "Last New Year we earned VND70 million ($3,500) from flowers but this year we have lost everything,” Ly said.

The bamboo sticks that were used to cover chrysanthemum pots are brought home as firewood.

Thousands of flowerpots are upturned on the field.

Ms. Bui Thi Quynh Van, Tu Nghia District Party Secretary, said the floods have caused tens of billions VND losses to flower growers in Tu Nghia. The district has asked Quang Ngai Province to assist local people with short-term crop seedlings.

Though flowerpots were placed at the height of 1m from the ground, they were still submerged by the flood.