With more than 2,000 families of flower cultivators, Sa Dec is renowned throughout the country for its colorful gardens and thousands of different flower species. The plantations spread across the region, even extending above the water in some areas of the Mekong Delta.
Thanh Tam Ho is one of the many horticulturists in Sa Dec who cultivates an array of flora on his floating garden. His field of 15,000 roses is a magnificent sight to behold. However, it’s not an easy job tending to these plants as they sit above the water. To water the roses, Ho must navigate through the plantations in a tin boat. “It’s much easier to move around like this. It’s less tiring,” he explains.
A Tourist Attraction
The floating plantations in Sa Dec have been in use for over 50 years. Initially, the flowers were raised to protect them from floodwater, but the horticulturists of Sa Dec soon found that the floating gardens yield better results. The thousands of flowers produced on these gardens are sold throughout the country. The delivery process begins at the Mekong riverbank, where trucks transport hundreds of kilos of plants every day. The skill and expertise of the local horticulturists have become a tourist attraction in itself, with parks proliferating throughout the town. Additionally, many visitors follow in the footsteps of Marguerite Duras, the author of “The Lover”, who once referred to Sa Dec in her work.
Sa Dec was a significant agricultural hub during the French colonial era; however, the genocide that took place during the Vietnam War had catastrophic effects on the town’s populace. But little did anyone know that from these ravaged and weakened communities would spring forth such beauty.
Growing Flowers in the Floating Fields
The floating fields’ plantations are not just for show; it’s a lifestyle that many inhabitants of Sa Dec are proud of. The process of cultivating plants in the fields floating above the Mekong River is not an easy one. The plantation fields are only accessible via boats, and in some instances, through knee-deep water. Due to this singular condition, the farmers cannot use mechanical tools like tractors or plows. They have to rely on manual labor and their experience in handling the soil.
The challenges, however, do not deter the 2000 families whose livelihoods depend on the floating fields. The horticulturists in Sa Dec are expertly-trained, and their experience stretches back generations. Their innovation and expertise enable them to cultivate crop yields that surpass that of traditional cultivators on land-based farms. Moreover, the flowering fields provide a stunning backdrop for occasional film and photo shoots for various media projects.
The Future of the Flower Village
Despite being an iconic tourist destination in Vietnam, neglect and land competition are significant concerns for the horticulturists of Sa Dec. The competition for river water usage and the increasing construction of hydroelectric dams and other infrastructure similarly threatens the region. These factors make it challenging to maintain the water supply, and it could have an impact on the floating field’s production.
Additionally, the Sa Dec agricultural model faces many challenges concerning sustainable packaging and sustainable tourism. Adventurers and cultural enthusiasts worldwide must recognize the significance of consistency in perpetuating a sense of permanence in the industry.
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