The area for lotuses occupies a large corner in Quang An night flower market, which stretches along Nghi Tam Road.

There are about 20 lotus traders from the suburbs of Hanoi and the northern provinces of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hung Yen and Hai Duong.

The market opens from 2am so lotus sellers must leave their home from midnight. They carry lotus to the market by motorbike and small trucks.

The prices for lotuses range from VND15,000 to VND30,000 ($0.7-1.5) per a bunch of 10 flowers.

Mr. Phuc’s family, in Pho Noi town of Hung Yen province, has earned their living from growing lotuses for 30 years.

The lotus season is short but brings high income to the family. Each day, the family harvests 5,000 to 7,000 lotus flowers and even 10,000 flowers on some days. He sells part of the flowers right at his pond and the remaining at markets in Hanoi.

Phuc and his two children leave home at 1.30am to be able to arrive at the Quang An market at 2am.

The income from growing lotuses is high, but it is a very hard job. During two months of the flowering season, growers don’t have time to sleep. They have to step in mud a few hours a day to pick flowers.

Mrs. Tram, 50, a native of Bac Ninh, and her three children have sold lotus at Quang An market for about a month. Every day, she sells 2,000 to 3,000 lotuses, at the price of VND10,000 for 10 flowers.

Ms. Loan from Dong Anh district, Hanoi began selling lotus flowers on May 19. She sells several thousand lotuses a day.

The lotus is considered a specialty of summer. Buyers carefully select flowers.

Mrs. Lieu, 40, a lotus vendor along the West Lake said she sells about 50 bundles a day.