Collecting ideas about Vietnam’s national flower

In April 2010, the national flower project was established with many proposals for flowers such as apricot, peach and lotus. Discussion showed that each flower has its own beauty and meaning.

According to Vi Kien Thanh, Chief of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s (MoCST) Art, Photography and Exhibition Department, in an interview with an o­nline newspaper o­n January 20, there are six standards considered as criteria set by by the MoCST to select the national flower of Vietnam. They are: must be indigenous to Vietnam or has been planted throughout Vietnam for a very long time; represents the character, culture or the spirit of the nation; be beautiful and scented; be frequently used and highly valued in art, literature, sculpture and architecture; and be loved and respected by many people.

The MoCST held a selection for national flower o­n the Internet. Up to December 2010, 40.3% voted for pink lotus, 33.6% for apricot, 8.2 for peach and 0.6% for nenuphar.