At the ceremony, the Vietnam Record Organization – VietKings officially recognized the record for “the Vietnam-shaped map formed from the largest number of flower and ornamental plant varieties in Vietnam,” created for the festival.

In his opening speech, Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Thap provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Thap province, said the second Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival presents a new look and fresh momentum, featuring a wide range of activities from workshops on high-tech applications to immersive art spaces and floral fashion shows.

He said the festival reflects a strong commitment by the provincial Party organization, local government and people of Dong Thap to continuing efforts to build a modern, green and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

This commitment, he noted, is made even more meaningful as folk knowledge, traditional crafts and the province’s flower and ornamental plant cultivation profession have been officially inscribed on Vietnam’s national list of intangible cultural heritage.

“This is not merely a title, but a recognition of cultural values nurtured and preserved over generations,” Ngai stressed.

The Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival is held to honor the flower and ornamental plant cultivation profession, highlight its economic value, and promote the development of the sector in connection with agricultural tourism and the national One Commune, One Product (OCOP) program.

Through exhibitions, displays, contests, cultural and artistic activities, cuisine and entertainment programs, the festival introduces and promotes Sa Dec Flower Village to domestic and international visitors, while supporting trade, tourism and investment promotion, socio-economic development, and the enhancement of the locality’s image.

Ngai stressed that Sa Dec needs to be elevated, with visitors encouraged to come for experiences and visual impressions, while floral-based tangible and intangible products are developed to reach a wider public and connect with other signature products of the province.

This, he said, would help ensure that when Dong Thap is mentioned, it is immediately associated with fruit, flowers, rice and pangasius, contributing to the development of ecological agriculture, modern rural areas and smart farmers.

He added that every garden owner and resident of Sa Dec is a “tourism ambassador,” helping to spread the values and distinctive identity of the century-old flower village to visitors from near and far.

Also at the opening ceremony, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded a certificate recognizing the Sa Dec flower and ornamental plant cultivation profession as part of Vietnam’s national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Sa Dec flower festival slated to open later this year

VOV.VN - The debut Sa Dec flower festival is scheduled to take place from December 30, 2023, to January 5, 2024 in Sa Dec city of Dong Thap province, with the event featuring a wide range of activities.