Vietnam: Flower industry needs tech growth
Pham Van Hai, CEO of Viet Nam Trade International, said: "The city of Sa Dec in Dong Thap Province, which is one of the country's flower cities, has developed slowly compared to its potential as many farmers have not used advanced technology in cultivation."
Speaking at a conference held in HCM City on Monday, he said demand for flowers had surged for special occasions like Valentine's Day, International Women's Day, Vietnam Teacher's Day and Lunar New Year.
Dr Nguyen Duc Tri, dean of the School of Tourism under the HCM City University of Economics, said that flowers in the past were primarily for use at altars honouring ancestors.
Hai said that to develop a stable domestic flower market, new types of flowers and application of advanced cultivation techniques were needed.
Co-operation with other countries, such as the Netherlands, which is a major flower producer, would be important, Hai said.
Such cooperation would help farmers learn new techniques.
Read more at VietNam News