“There’s nothing quite as impressive as witnessing the water lily harvest in Vietnam,” remarked Jess McHugh, a writer for The New York Times.
In the Mekong Delta, water lilies attract numerous visitors each autumn who come to learn about this unique tradition.
“The sight of farmers in Vietnam’s Mekong region harvesting water lilies has become a favored subject for photographers,” The New York Times wrote on November 14. Additionally, the flowers have become a centerpiece in various Mekong Delta tourism packages.
The American daily describes how local farmers, mostly women, in Vietnam’s southernmost region wade into shallow waters at dawn to harvest water lilies during a specific period, typically lasting a few weeks from August to November.
Locals in Tan Lap commune, An Giang, reenact the scene of washing water lilies. Photo: George Steinmetz.
“Water lilies are somewhat similar to lotuses but smaller in size, with sharper leaves. Their colors are more vibrant, featuring shades of purple and deep pink. Over the years, the sight of early risers gathering water lilies, bundling them, rinsing off mud directly in the river, and loading them onto small boats has garnered significant appreciation, particularly in the photography community,” the newspaper added.
Water lilies are grown year-round but bloom most vividly in the fall. Their stems are typically 2.3 cm in diameter, can grow up to 1 meter tall, and thrive easily in aquatic environments such as rivers, swamps, and ponds. Wild water lilies are often white and bloom for only a few hours daily over 3–5 days before wilting.
This plant has around 85 species, including Nymphaea nouchali, which blooms during the day, and Nymphaea rubra, which blooms at night. These two species are most commonly found in Africa and Asia.
When the river delta floods, the water lily harvest becomes a popular photo spot for tourists. Photo: George Steinmetz.
According to The New York Times, water lilies may be the oldest flowering plants on Earth, as blue water lilies were found buried with the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (circa 1341 BCE). Today, this flower, symbolizing immortality, is also used as food and medicine.
Marc Hachadourian, the senior curator of the greenhouse at the New York Botanical Garden, describes the scent of water lilies as similar to Juicy Fruit gum.
Beyond photography and tourism, water lilies are integral to the daily lives of people in the Mekong region. They are used to decorate homes, decorate flower pots, and even as ingredients in local cuisine.
Thao Phan, the owner of a plant shop in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that water lilies symbolize resilience.
“After the flower blooms, you might think the plant is dead, but it will come back to life. Once you plant it, you’ll have it forever,” she told The New York Times.
@Znews
Related
Source: Vietnam Insider