Weaving the colors of spring
In recent years, orchid arranging during the Lunar New Year has evolved beyond a seasonal livelihood, becoming an art that adds vibrant hues to Spring celebrations.
Silent artisans of Tet
By early January 2026, business was already in full swing at Pham Quynh Orchid Garden in Xich Tho residential quarter, An Hai Ward. According to Nguyen Van Hung, the garden’s owner, orchid enthusiasts are paying increasing attention to the overall arrangement of each pot, from form and color harmony to the materials used and the feng shui meanings conveyed by the arrangement.
As a result, the role of orchid arrangers has become more important than ever. They are no longer simply fulfilling orders but are silent artisans who help enhance the values of each orchid display in the market.
Nguyen Viet Doan, an arranger at the garden, noted that beyond natural talent, the craft requires responsibility and patience. Aesthetic trends change every year; without creativity and innovation, arrangements might fail to highlight the natural beauty of the flowers.
Similarly, Nguyen Thi Mai, a florist at an orchid shop on To Hieu Street, said that a skilled artisan must know how to “read” the posture of each branch—transforming individual stems into a unified artistic composition that conveys wishes of prosperity and good fortune for the new year.
A lucrative seasonal craft
A recent survey shows that arrangement fees vary depending on the size and complexity of each pot. For simpler arrangements using fewer stems, fees range from VND 10,000 to VND 15,000 per stem. Larger and more elaborate pots, often featuring 100 stems or more, command between VND20,000 and VND25,000 per stem.
With average earnings of around VND1 million per day, and several million during peak days, the craft offers significant seasonal income. According to Nguyen Viet Doan, a highly skilled worker can arrange about 100 orchid stems daily. At an average rate of VND 15,000 per stem, daily earnings remain stable throughout the busy pre-Tet period.
Amid the year-end rush, these artisans continue their meticulous work. For them, orchid arrangement is no longer simply a means of earning a living but an art form shaped by time, dedication, and careful craftsmanship.
Hai Phong News