Vibrant flower and ornamental plant market for the Lunar New Year 2026

Kumquats in season, demand rises

In the ornamental kumquat-growing area of Thanh Ha (Hai Phong City), the closer it gets to Tet, the livelier the atmosphere becomes, with a growing number of visitors each day.

Near the foot of Hop Thanh Bridge (Thanh Ha Commune), kumquat gardens are at their most beautiful stage, their brilliant yellow color stretching along Provincial Road 390 — an advantage that makes it convenient for people to visit, select, and transport the trees. Thanh Ha kumquats have long been known for their sturdy trees, evenly distributed fruit, lasting display quality, and the ability to be showcased for more than three months during Tet.

At the garden of Mr. Nguyen Van Quy (Lai Xa 2 Hamlet), around 400 kumquat trees have been put on the market this year. He said this year’s crop has grown well, with abundant fruit and attractive appearance. Prices are generally similar to last Tet, ranging from 300,000 to 2 million VND per tree (including pots). As of February 9, about 60% of his garden’s output had been sold; notably, over the weekend of February 7–8, demand surged despite cold, rainy weather.

Similarly, the garden of Ms. Duong Thi Lap and Mr. Duong Van Chin has 200 kumquat trees for Tet, of which about 80 were ordered early by customers from Quang Ninh. Favorable weather conditions have helped the trees grow well with appealing appearance. As of February 9, around 60 trees remained available for sale.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Nhan, Head of Lai Xa 2 Hamlet, producing kumquat trees that meet market standards requires meticulous care: calculating the right time for new shoots, preventing pests and diseases, and removing substandard fruit — all essential to creating beautiful, long-lasting trees.

Thanh Ha has a long tradition of fruit cultivation. About 20 years ago, kumquats were mainly grown under lychee trees for fresh consumption. Later, some households shifted to ornamental kumquat cultivation and, seeing its high economic returns, many others followed. To date, around 25 households in the commune specialize in ornamental kumquats.

Ornamental kumquat growing not only meets Tet market demand but also contributes to restructuring the local agricultural economy. However, according to Ms. Vu Thi Hao, Vice Chairwoman of the Thanh Ha Commune People’s Committee, kumquat prices depend on consumer preferences each year, so they can fluctuate, and at times sales may slow. Therefore, farmers must both improve cultivation techniques and proactively seek market outlets.

In the coming time, Thanh Ha Commune plans to maintain a stable area for ornamental kumquats, strengthen technical guidance, and promote brand development to create sustainable income for local residents.

In addition to Thanh Ha, other Tet kumquat-growing areas in Hai Phong such as An Duong Ward and An Khanh Commune are also bustling with buyers. For local growers, each kumquat tree leaving the garden is not only an economic product but also carries hopes for a prosperous and lucky New Year.

Flowers selling quickly, but risks remain

In Vinh Long, in the days leading up to Tet, the two ornamental flower villages in Long Duc Ward have entered their peak production and sales season. Flowers are selling well, with traders from both inside and outside the province placing orders early. Over the past week, demand has increased markedly, with nearly 50% of total output estimated to have been pre-ordered.

Along the roads in the craft villages, potted flowers are gathered awaiting transportation, while growers busily tend to plants, finalize products, and deliver orders. The family of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung (Vinh Yen neighborhood) is cultivating about 6,000 pots of various flowers this year on an area of 6,000 square meters. Of the 1,500 pots of chrysanthemums, most have bloomed on time and more than 90% have already been ordered.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay, also from the village, said that nearly all 3,000 pots of flowers her family grows — mainly chrysanthemums, lisianthus, and marigolds — have been ordered by traders, with stable prices providing reassurance for production.

However, not all households have enjoyed smooth sales. Some gardens have faced issues with flowers blooming off schedule, slow consumption, or having to sell at lower prices. Mr. Nguyen Hong Cong said his family planted 2,000 pots of marigolds, chrysanthemums, cockscomb, sunflowers, and poinciana, but many bloomed early and have been difficult to sell. Meanwhile, investment costs have risen by about 20%, with total spending exceeding 40 million VND, causing concern.

Long Duc Ward currently has 170 flower-growing households, generating annual revenue of 16–17 billion VND and providing regular employment for more than 350 workers, with an average income of about 7.7 million VND per person per month. For Tet 2026, the two craft villages are expected to supply around 375,000 pots of flowers, up 10% compared to last year; nearly 50% have already been sold.

Flower prices remain generally stable: marigolds, chrysanthemums, petunias, and lisianthus range from 60,000 to 150,000 VND per pair; chrysanthemums range from 200,000 to 500,000 VND per pair depending on quality.

Nguyen Van Lieu, Chairman of the Long Duc Ward People’s Committee, said the locality has invested in transport infrastructure, low-voltage electricity systems, and clean water supply, while also implementing projects to select and propagate flower varieties to preserve and develop the craft villages.

To facilitate sales, the ward has arranged centralized Tet flower trading areas to ensure traffic order and urban aesthetics. The trading period runs from February 6 to noon on February 16. Craft village households are provided free space, along with decorative mini-landscapes and parking areas for visitors.

With proactive preparation by local authorities and the efforts of farmers, the Long Duc flower villages expect demand to rise sharply during peak days, helping growers stabilize incomes and preserve their traditional craft.

Hai Phong News