HÀ NỘI – Tens of thousands of bonsai trees, flower arrangements and other exquisite forms of decorative nature-based works of art graced the public eye during the inaugural Hà Nội Landscape Festival.

Director of the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyễn Xuân Đại, delivers the opening speech at the first Hà Nội Landscape Festival of 2024.

The groundbreaking festival organised by the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Hà Nội Landscape Association took place at Hà Nội’s F1 racetrack area in Nam Từ Liêm District this week.

It was held to commemorate two momentous occasions: the 70th anniversary of Hà Nội’s Liberation Day on October 10, and the establishment of the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 30.

The Landscape Festival dazzled attendees with a plethora of activities, including the 2024 Hà Nội Open Landscape Competition. A showcase featured Việt Nam’s finest landscape art, including 1,014 bonsai trees from various provinces and cities – a symbolic nod to the 1,014 years of the Thăng Long - Hà Nội capital city. Among these, 70 exceptional works graced the central area, representing seven decades since the liberation of the capital.

Nguyễn Xuân Đại, Director of the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed that the event spanned an exhibition area of over 30,000 square metres, showcasing works from 55 provinces and cities.

Cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the first Hà Nội Landscape Festival.

Beyond landscapes, visitors explored a diverse array of artistry, including bonsai, driftwood, stone landscapes, bronze sculptures, decorative art, orchids, songbirds and bamboo landscapes. More than 2,000 OCOP products from the ‘One Commune, One Product’ programme and other regional specialties were also on display at the festival.

During the event, a conference brought together artisans, entrepreneurs and exceptional garden owners from across the nation. Their collective efforts aim to bolster the development of Hà Nội’s captivating landscapes.

Visitors delighted in a showcase of ornamental birds, saw demonstrations on forming bonsai creations and flower arrangements and explored a cultural space dedicated to Vietnamese tea in a harmonious blend with the artistry of landscapes.

According to Director Đại, Hà Nội stands at the forefront of landscape art in Việt Nam, boasting an impressive scale and substantial value. The city dedicates over 8,100 hectares to flower and ornamental plant cultivation, resulting in a production value of approximately 7 trillion đồng (about US$284 million).

The city has established 47 flower production areas, each employing diverse models that leverage technological advancements to enhance productivity and product quality. Traditional expertise also thrives in the city's 14 recognised flower craft villages. Notably, 36 products from Hà Nội have received OCOP certification, with ratings of three stars or higher – a testament to their excellence.

Aside from domestic acclaim, Hà Nội’s floral bounty finds its way to international markets through exports. Flower cultivation has emerged as a growing sector that not only beautifies the city but also contributes significantly to its economy.

The National Assembly recently approved the Capital Law 2024, emphasising that landscape art is vital for creating a “bright, green, clean and beautiful” capital city while also supporting sustainable agriculture.

Under this law, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been developing an urban agriculture project with a focus on landscape production and business, vital for adapting to climate change and rapid urbanisation.

Member of the Central Party Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hà Nội Party Committee Nguyễn Thị Tuyến (3rd right), along with city’s leaders and delegates, visit the landscape exhibition area.

As part of the Hà Nội Party Committee's Programme No. 04-CTr/TU, Hà Nội plans to expand flower and ornamental plant cultivation from 8,500 to 9,000 hectares. Simultaneously, the city will draw up master plans for craft villages and reorganise production and business, in conjunction with promoting trade and rural tourism.

Hà Nội aims for an annual growth rate of around 10 per cent in landscape production value through 2030.

By 2025, the production value of flowers and ornamental plants is projected to reach around 10 trillion đồng (approximately $406 million). By 2030, this figure could blossom even further, ranging from 15 to 20 trillion đồng (about $609 million to $812 million). Notably, cultivating just one hectare of these blooms could yield an average annual value of 700 to 750 million đồng ($28,000 to 30,000), benefitting both growers’ incomes and enriching the cultural and spiritual tapestry of the capital’s residents.

The inaugural Landscape Festival of 2024 drew in participants from provinces and cities across the country, illuminating the cultural essence woven into landscaping, including craft village products, regional specialties and OCOP products. The celebration not only enhanced the value of agricultural products but also served as a beacon for tourism, showcasing the ecological agriculture models unique to Hà Nội.

Presenting awards to the entrepreneurs and artisans who participated in the 2024 Hanoi Open Landscape Competition.

With an aim of paying homage to the boundless creativity and talent of the nationwide community of artisans, entrepreneurs and garden owners, the festival solidified the newfound prominence of landscape production and businesses.

While the event took place, Typhoon Yagi caused significant damage in the capital city and several northern provinces. In response, the organisers launched a fundraising and auction programme, donating an initial amount of 480 million đồng ($19,500) to assist those affected by the typhoon. VNS

The article is published with the cooperation of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội.