Flowers never cease to awe us with their distinct beauty. Depending on their type and color, flowers are considered differently in several cultures, particularly in Vietnam. Some of these even have unique implications for the inhabitants.
In this blog, we explore the different kinds of flowers in Vietnamese culture that can be witnessed in Ho Chi Minh City.
From the national flower to many types of flowers in Vietnamese, including peach blooms, apricot blossoms, yellow flowers, and orchids. If you are someone who loves flowers, you are going to enjoy reading this blog and finding out about the beautiful Vietnamese flowers.
The National Flower of Vietnam
Vietnam’s national flower is the lotus, or Hoa Sen. It represents devotion, commitment, optimism, and purity to the inhabitants. Due to this, lotus-like patterns can be seen in everything from architecture to literature to fashion. The Hoa Sen flowers are unique in the way they close at dusk and submerge simultaneously before exploding in vivid color in the morning. They are hence referred to as the bloom of dawn. It is one of the most stunning flowers you may view in the cultural country and can be found in all the murky pond regions of Vietnam. While the lotus flower’s outstanding beauty is undoubtedly captivating, it is not simply the sight that makes It serves as Vietnam’s national flower. Many people are unaware of what is far more intriguing and beneath.
Lotus flowers in the Vietnamese region appear in various colors, each with its own symbolism and simple beauty, similar to roses from temperate to tropical areas. For example, gorgeous pink flowers symbolize devotion to Buddha, whereas white flowers or a white lotus are believed to signify cleanliness and freshness. The blue lotus represents enlightenment and is associated with wisdom, reasoning, and sagacity. The purple lotus blooms are another indication of spirituality.
For the Vietnamese, the lotus is a beautiful sight and a form of medicine. It is a crucial component of several herbal medicines the locals fervently take. Lotus is a common ingredient in many recipes. Depending on the local climate, different lotus bloom at different times. Flowers bloom in Northern Vietnam, so you should go there as early as March to see them. The only time of year that lotuses blossom in the South Vietnam region is in late May.
You must believe that flowers are solely used to adorn homes. The fact that Vietnam attempted to construct an entire skyscraper that resembles the country’s emblematic flower, the lotus, is astounding. It is called the Bitexco Tower and once held the title of the highest building in Ho Chi Minh City. So, whenever you are in Vietnam for a holiday, be sure to stop by the Tower.
Other stunning Vietnamese flowers are listed below:
1. Yellow Apricot Flower (Hoa Mai Vàng):
One of Vietnam’s most exquisite flowers, Hao Mai, is also significant when celebrating special occasions like the Tet festival. The Vietnamese celebrate Tet, similar to combining Christmas and Thanksgiving into one day, to signal the start of the Lunar New Year. The apricot flower, also known as Hoa mai, is a Vietnamese good luck plant. It is thought to bestow the family with prosperity, love, and good fortune. Nearly every home, especially in the southern half, to adorn and cheer up their families, uses Hai Mai plants in their living rooms.
2. Peach blossom, also known as Hoa Dao:
The Hao Dao flower, which represents the Lunar New Year (Tet), is the center of attention in the dominant Northern cities, whereas yellow Mai flowers or apricot blossoms are the stars in the southern towns. In Vietnam’s north, peach blossom trees reach full bloom quite early. As a result, the Hoa ào flower is known as “Braveheart.” Another key plant for the Tet festival that the locals perceive to be essential is the Vietnamese lucky flower peach bloom. It is used to decorate their homes because the pink blossoms are thought to frighten away evil spirits, much like the valiant Vietnamese who resisted Western colonization for hundreds of years and brought great fortune.
3. Chrysanthemum (Hoa Cc):
You must explore the sizable fields of Hoa Cc flowers that are bright and yellow if you want your trip to Vietnam to be memorable. The Vietnamese also hold Hoa Cc in high regard as a Tet flower. They are sown throughout the year and represent a calm and uncomplicated life. During the Tet celebration, locals use it to entice joy and blessings and adorn their homes for a gorgeous display. In fact, it is one of the most well-liked flowers in Vietnam, and the Hoa Cc fields are frequently the setting for photo shoots.
4. Rose (Hoa Hng):
The Hoa Hng bloom is one of the most well-known flowers whose scent has made us all fall in love, exactly like the Vietnamese. Hoa Hng is a widely cultivated flower that comes in a variety of forms and hues that signify distinct cultural connotations. The white rose is renowned for its modest and pure love, the pink rose represents the precious and delicate girls of Vietnam, and the yellow rose is typically given to friends to convey devotion and care. The red rose expresses deep love with its beautiful perfume. Numerous types are common; each adds to special occasions with different connotations. Examples include the Dalat rose, the Hai Phong City rose, and the royal rose.
5. Plum flower- Hoa Mn:
North Vietnam’s landscapes are covered in the tranquil white splendor of the stunning-looking plant known as the plum flowers, or Hoa Mn, throughout the spring. The best time to see the blossoms is in late January, but cold weather can delay this process. The Moc Chau Plateau is the ideal location to visit if you want to see white plum blossoms clearly in Vietnam when it comes to plum flowers. While wandering through the hills and villages and conversing with the local ethnicities, the alluring white color of the flowers in Vietnamese may cause you to lose yourself in a trance.
6. Bougainvillaea Flower (Hoa Giy):
Have you ever heard of the Bougainvillaea Flower, also known as Hoa Giy, by the locals? A decorative flower plant called Hoa Giy can be found in central coastal temperate zones. It often blooms with happy bright-colored petals in the summer beginning in March. They are pretty common in Vietnam due to their easy-going maintenance and growing routines, which don’t need much attention. The petals can be white, pink, red, or another color. The brilliant hues of the paper-like petals sprout from bushes in coastal Vietnamese cities like Danang, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne, etc., show the friendliness of the locals.
To Put It All Together:
Knowing the names of several flowers has taught us more about Vietnamese culture. A seemingly insignificant bloom may have a profound meaning in a person’s life. One can learn more about the language and thoroughly understand the native people’s way of life by being aware of such elements. So, when you visit Vietnam, let your hearts feel the warm welcome with the pink peach blossom of Vietnam.