Not Da Lat, nor Sa Dec, in the middle of the river delta, there is a land where every time Tet comes, millions of potted flowers will be transported to Ho Chi Minh City and all the provinces in the South - bringing with them the colors, fragrances and the festive atmosphere.
That is Cho Lach. A place with a simple name, but it is a place that brings brilliance to the Tet season.
Land of flower growing
Cho Lach is considered the land of ornamental flower growing.
Cho Lach is currently in Vinh Long province (formerly Ben Tre area). With an area of nearly 50 km², this place is located in the middle of fertile alluvial land, surrounded by a dense river system.
Taking advantage of its special location surrounded by rivers (the south borders the Co Chien River, the north borders the My Tho River), Cho Lach has become one of the largest ornamental flower growing areas in the West.
Cho Lach is surrounded by rivers.
No one remembers exactly when the ornamental flower growing profession in Cho Lach began. It is only known that, since childhood, the people here have been familiar with bending each apricot branch, tending each chrysanthemum flower, trimming each marigold pot as an essential part of life.
Through many flood seasons, many times the alluvial soil has changed color, the flower growing profession has remained as steadfast as the underground water flowing under the soil of the homeland. Not only a livelihood, it is a profession passed down from generation to generation - like a living heritage, preserved by memory, by hands, and by pride.
flowers in Cho Lach area
It can be said that in Cho Lach, the river is not only a landscape, but also a lifeline. Because thanks to the convenient canal system, ornamental flowers from Cho Lach are easily transported by boat to major wholesale markets such as Binh Dien, Thu Duc, and Tet flower selling points throughout the Southern region.
People and interesting life pictures
In Cho Lach, people not only grow flowers to sell, but also live with flowers as a part of their lives. Flower growing here is not just a normal profession, but a traditional profession, passed down from generation to generation.
Almost every household has its own garden - growing from several hundred to several thousand flower pots and ornamental plants. There are families that specialize in shaping bonsai trees, some that specialize in growing yellow apricots, chrysanthemums, marigolds, bougainvillea, etc.
When walking along the village roads, you will see flowers blooming everywhere. The living space and the production space seem to blend into one. People tend to the flowers while chatting, happy and friendly when meeting visitors. The way people live here creates a slow, friendly and colorful rhythm.
The people in Cho Lach are friendly when they meet tourists.
In Cho Lach, there are trees that have been shaped since they were young, taking many years to shape. These types of trees have their own "temperament", their own special appearance - looking like a living work of art between heaven and earth. There are also short-term trees that bloom brilliantly after only a short time. But no matter what kind of tree or flower, short or long-lived, they all have their own role, use and meaning, contributing to the simple beauty of this entire river delta region of the West.
a flower field in Cho Lach area
The beauty of each occasion near Tet
Every time Tet comes, Cho Lach seems to put on a new coat. The whole countryside is brilliant in the colors of millions of pots of plants and flowers. In addition, the hustle and bustle of the cars and boats carrying flowers to Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai... also adds to the beauty of this land near Tet. From colors to sounds,... all create a picture of Cho Lach that easily captivates the hearts of any visitor.
Irresistible beauty of Cho Lach as Tet approaches
Flower fields serving the Tet flower demand in the Southern region
When it comes to the middle of December, the Tet atmosphere in Cho Lach is bustling. People are busy taking care of flowers, watering, pruning, and packaging. Traders from everywhere come to place orders and choose plants. The village roads become temporary "flower markets", where buyers and sellers are bustling but still retain the cultural features of the West: friendly, generous, and not competitive.
Tet in Cho Lach is not only the season for wholesale flower trading, but also the season for "showing off" one's profession, the season for meeting, the season for people to be proud of what they have planted throughout the year.
traders stopped by to choose flowers
Preserving the profession of growing ornamental flowers
Cho Lach is not only a place for producing ornamental flowers, but also a cultural space typical of the West. There are craft villages here for growing seedlings, shaping ornamental plants, making pots... creating an extremely diverse ecosystem.
Many households open their doors to welcome tourists, allowing them to visit their gardens, experience flower care, tree shaping, and enjoy local dishes. The local government is also building a model of "Cho Lach Cultural Tourism Village" to develop community tourism, associated with preserving traditional crafts.
To preserve the profession of growing ornamental flowers, Cho Lach has gradually changed in recent years.
Conclusion
On the occasion of Tet, if you have time, try to visit Cho Lach once to admire the beauty of flowers, people and the bustling life of ornamental flower growing, of this garden land.
In Cho Lach, Tet begins from the land, from the hands of farmers, from the ornamental flower pots that are cared for like children.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Trung Huynh
