It is also used in Vietnamese gastronomy.

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Lotus ponds seen from above - Photos: Adrien Jean

The lotuses in this photo essay are in Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. Some lotus farmers in the area have earned their livelihood with lotus since the late 1970s. Summer is the local lotus harvest season.

Local farmers start picking lotus-seed pods before dawn. Lotus seeds are used in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly hot dishes. They are also usually roasted and served as a tasty snack.

However, lotus is more popular as scented lotus tea. Some farmers put green tea inside lotus flowers when the latter begin to close, around 11 p.m., and they then pick up the flowers at 3 a.m. This way, growers may come up with the best flavor from the lotus flowers for their tea.

Like in many other places in the world, lotus is considered a sacred flower in Vietnam, which grows and blossoms in mud.

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Farmers ready to harvest lotus-seed pods.
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A woman harvesting lotus-seed pods.
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The sun shines on both the lotuses and the farmer.
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A closeup of a lotus in full bloom.
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Ponds covered by lotus leaves.
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Farmers gathering lotus-seed pods they have picked.
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Lotus seed pods in a bag.
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This view of a lotus pond is fascinating.

Source: SGT

Exploring peculiar varieties of lotus flowers in Vietnam

Exploring peculiar varieties of lotus flowers in Vietnam

Lotus flowers can be found everywhere in Vietnam, but Hanoi is where you can find the majority of the variants.

Tea farmer earns good income harvesting seeds and roots well as leaves of lotus plants

Tea farmer earns good income harvesting seeds and roots well as leaves of lotus plants

Having grown lotus for the last three years, Nguyen Thi Thuy harvests not only lotus seeds but also lotus leaves that are used for tea that sells for VND90,000 per kilogram.