Nghi An - from craft village to urban ornamental plant center

From barren land to traditional craft village

Nghi An flower village (Vinh city). Photo: Quang An

The flower and ornamental plant growing profession in Nghi An began to take shape in the late 1980s, originating from a number of households in Kim Chi hamlet that converted crops from ineffective rice to chrysanthemums, dahlias, gladiolus, etc. Initially, it was only experimental, but the plants took to the land and the people took to the profession, gradually forming new farming practices, then developing into a movement in Kim My and Kim Phuc hamlets, where the quintessence of the flower and ornamental plant profession converged.

By 2010, Kim Chi flower and ornamental plant craft village was recognized by Nghe An Provincial People's Committee as the first traditional craft village of ornamental plants, opening a new period of development. Since then, the flower growing profession has continued to spread, helping hundreds of households not only escape poverty but also become sustainably rich. This has created motivation for flower growers, creating increasingly high-quality ornamental plants and specializing in skills, focusing on techniques and capital, bringing about increased income, attracting more and more workers, focusing on producing more and more valuable and high-quality ornamental plant products.

Currently, in Nghi An, there are more than 300 households specializing in flower and ornamental plant production, with an area of tens of hectares. Every year, on the occasion of Lunar New Year, the flower village supplies tens of thousands of pots of chrysanthemums, dahlias, hanging flowers, bonsai, and ornamental plants of all kinds to the markets of Vinh, Ha Tinh , Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, etc.

It is estimated that income from ornamental flowers reaches 200-300 million VND/ha, while bonsai can reach 500-700 million VND/ha. Many flower growers have built high-rise buildings, bought cars, and become "flower village millionaires". This profession also creates seasonal jobs for hundreds of local workers, especially during the peak season before Tet.

Not only a livelihood, the flower village also brings unique spiritual and cultural values to the locality. Bonsai clubs and flower lovers' associations have been formed; beautiful flower and bonsai art competitions are held annually, providing a playground for learning and exchanging experiences in the flower and bonsai profession, contributing to enriching rural life, while motivating those who love the profession to gain more valuable experiences through these activities.

Sustainable development direction

Nghi An is a suburb of Vinh city, with National Highway 46 and near National Highway 1A, so it is very convenient for trading and transporting products. The geology of this area is sandy loam, well-drained - ideal conditions for growing valuable flowers such as Da Lat chrysanthemums, dahlias, lilies, bonsai, hanging ornamental plants...

gen-h-Nghi An people take care of ornamental plants — Nghi An people take care of ornamental plants

In addition, the people here have a tradition of diligence, dexterity, and passion for creating bonsai art. Many families have been involved in the profession for two or three generations, forming a class of artisans with high skills, aesthetic eyes, and market sensitivity, thereby creating many valuable products to meet market demand.

Realizing the great potential, right at the beginning of the 2020-2025 term, Vinh city planned the Kim Chi hamlet area to become a suburban flower and ornamental plant center, approving the project to build a flower and ornamental plant market combined with a new urban area of about 10 hectares. This project is expected to form a focal point for buying and selling ornamental flowers and displaying flower products of the entire inner-province area and supplying and trading with the northern and central provinces, through the project to gradually increase the value of goods and competitiveness of local products.

In addition, Nghi An in the future will also have the conditions to develop eco -tourism in craft villages. With poetic landscapes and brilliant flowers in all four seasons, this place promises to become an attractive destination for tourists to visit, take photos, experience flower planting and care, stay at homestays... similar to famous flower village models in Nhat Tan (Hanoi), Sa Dec (Dong Thap), flower village (Da Lat).

In recent times, the Party Committee and local government of Nghi An commune have had policies and orientations for the development of flower and ornamental plant craft villages, so they have paid attention to investing in upgrading synchronous infrastructure such as traffic systems and drainage ditches to help farmers with convenient transportation and quick drainage to protect plants and flowers from flooding. In addition, the government has always paid attention to coordinating with the city and competent authorities to open training courses on care, development and conservation of plant varieties periodically every year, helping people update and supplement their knowledge.

gen-h-Leaders of the Provincial Farmers' Association visit Nghi An flower and ornamental plant village — Leaders of the Provincial Farmers' Association visited Nghi An flower and ornamental plant village

In the coming time, the locality also aims to promote the application of high technology and e-commerce in production and consumption. The formation of ornamental flower cooperatives and the collective brand “Nghi An Ornamental Flowers and Plants” are also being promoted, aiming to create a clear mark in the market inside and outside the province.

Nghi An is facing a great opportunity to break through and become a key flower and ornamental plant center not only of Vinh City but also of the entire North Central region. However, to be successful, it requires close coordination between the government – people – businesses, in planning, investment capital, brand building and product promotion.

The most important thing is to preserve the spirit of love for the profession, the ingenuity and dedication of flower growers – the “silent artists” who are beautifying life every day with each tree and flower branch. “Growing flowers is not only for sale, but also to preserve a rural culture in the urbanized life.” – a flower village artisan confided.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/nghi-an-tu-lang-nghe-den-trung-tam-hoa-cay-canh-do-thi-10301339.html