Overview
Da Lat is known as Vietnam's "city of flowers" and is a major producing area for cut flowers and ornamental plants. About 3.5 billion cut flowers are produced a year, and a wide variety of blooms are grown—roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies, orchids, and hydrangeas. Da Lat's floriculture industry boasts production value of about US$300 million a year, accounting for about 70% of Vietnam's floriculture industry.
Growing regions and areas
Lam Dong province Da Lat and its surrounding areas are the center of flower cultivation. Da Lat, a highland city at an altitude of about 1,500 m, has a mild climate with an annual average temperature of 18–21°C, making it ideal for growing temperate flowers. With about 9,000 hectares of flower cultivation area, modern greenhouse cultivation using advanced Dutch and Israeli technology is spreading rapidly.
Cultivation methods and harvest season
Flower production takes place year-round, peaking ahead of Tet (the Lunar New Year) and Valentine's Day. In modern greenhouses, temperature, humidity, and irrigation are managed by computer control, ensuring a stable supply of high-quality flowers. Seedlings are also produced through tissue culture, improving varietal uniformity and disease resistance.
Exports and market trends
Vietnam's flower exports are worth about US$60 million a year, with the main destinations being Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea. Chrysanthemums and roses are exported in particular, and shipments to the Japanese market make up a large share. During the Tet period, domestic demand surges explosively, and flower prices rise to three to five times their usual level.
Connections with Japan
Japan is one of the largest export destinations for cut flowers from Da Lat, and imports of chrysanthemums (especially spray mums) and roses are increasing. Japanese companies have also entered flower cultivation in Da Lat, and production systems that meet the quality standards of the Japanese market have been put in place. Improvements in the cold chain have made it possible to deliver fresh flowers to Japan.
