VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese billionaires all wish to obtain Dendrobium farinatum, the newly discovered orchid species in Vietnam which is believed to bring good luck to the owners.

The Institute of Tropical Biology of the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology has announced about the discovery of a newly found species of orchid, called Dendrobium farinatum. The new species was found in the Khanh Hoa ecoregion in the central region of Vientam.

Truong Quang Tam from the Tropical Biology Institute has affirmed that the orchid species has been existing only in Vietnam, while there has been no record about its presence in any other countries in the world.

According to Dr Nguyen Cong Thoai, a specialist in genetics, the orchid species was first mentioned in a journal published in Germany in 2004. In an article, the two authors--H. Schildhauer and W.Schraut wrote that the orchids were sourced from Vietnam, which were then imported to Germany with commercial purpose.

The article said that it was still unclear about the origin of the orchids, but it is believed to be found in Lai Chau province in the northwest of Vietnam. The orchids grow in the areas 800-900 meters higher than the sea water level.

Lately, under the frame of the cooperation scientific research program between the Tropical Biology Institute, the Hon Ba Sanctuary and the Prague Botanical Garden, scientists have officially recorded the presence of Dendrobium farinatum at the Hon Ba Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is located in the central province of Khanh Hoa, 1200-1500 meters higher than the sea water level. This is for the first time the orchids are recognized formally in the natural environment in Vietnam. The collected orchid samples bloomed in July.

Tropical Biology Institute, the Hon Ba Sanctuary and the Prague Botanical Garden – the involved parties in the cooperation research program now carry out further surveys on the location and ecoregion of the orchid species. The findings would help find out reasonable solutions to the protection and development of the endemic precious orchid species.

Since the newly found orchid species has been described as a rare and precious plant, people have been whispering in each others’ ears that the orchids can bring good luck and help the owners overcome misfortune.

Billionaires in HCM City have been hunting for the orchids throughout the country. They wish to grow the orchids for ornament at their homes, which not only helps decorate the houses, but also can bring good luck.

Sources said that the billionaires are ready to spend billions of dong to buy the orchids. Some of them have even paid a deposit to traders to ensure that they would get the orchids one day.

Pham Van H, a well-known ornamental plant trader in Tan Binh district, said he has received four calls from some businessmen who ordered the precious orchids.

“They told me that if having the orchids in their offices, the business would perform well,” H said.

“When I asked where the information came from, the businessmen said all the feng shui experts said so.

Meanwhile, Dinh Ngoc Tuan, 27, said the orchids are also believed to have the function of treating diseases. Especially, those who drink the tea made of the dried orchid petals would be able to stay young for a long time.

The ornamental plant shops in HCM City all said these orchids have not been available on the market. Some shop owners said they have sent workers to Khanh Hoa province to look for the orchids.

Le Thanh Chau, a trader in Thu Duc district, also said he is looking for the person who agrees to go to Khanh Hoa. Chau believes that this would be a very costly trip.

NDT