Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Hanoi Lotus Festival 2024 and the promotion of OCOP products related to the cultures of the northern mountainous provinces in 2024, a lotus arrangement contest took place on July 12 under the theme "Tay Ho Lotus Shapes."

The Organizing Committee evaluates the contest entries. Photos: Van Nhi - Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

This is one of the events that make up the Lotus Festival, which aims to highlight the beauty of the lotus, a simple yet noble flower, and create a playground for artistic creation. By enhancing the perception of Bach Diep lotuses in West Lake, the contest helps to introduce the Quang An Lotus Tea brand to a large number of Vietnamese and foreign tourists.

Each ward in Tay Ho District prepared two lotus vases, each with a ward nameplate, to bid on the "Tay Ho Lotus Shapes" competition and display their work at the opening ceremony.

In addition, the People's Committees of Nhat Tan Ward and Quang An Ward encouraged lotus pond owners in the area to join the contest with lotus pots bearing their brand names.

A local admires pictures of the lotus.

"The contest entries will be judged on the criteria of artistic creativity, overall lotus color, and harmonious and delicate combination to create lotus-themed artworks," said Bui Thi Lan Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of Tay Ho District People's Committee.

At the end of the competition, based on the evaluation and scores given by the jury, the Organizing Committee awarded one first prize, three second prizes, and four third prizes to the participating teams.

The first prize went to Tu Lien Ward, the second prize to Nhat Tan Ward, Buoi Ward, and Quang An Ward, and the third prize to Thuy Khue Ward, Yen Phu Ward, Phu Thuong Ward, and Xuan La Ward. For the display awards, the organizing committee presented the first prize to Nhat Tan Ward and the second prize to Quang An Ward.

The Hanoi Lotus Festival 2024 will be held for five days from July 12 to 16 at the Tay Ho District Creative and Cultural Space, the first large-scale event of its kind in the city, with various activities to celebrate lotus farming and lotus products.

Lotus flowers of all kinds at the event. Photo: Nguoi Ha Noi

According to Tay Ho District Party Committee Secretary Le Thi Thu Hang, the Hanoi Lotus Festival in 2024 will be an opportunity to preserve and develop lotus-based traditional cultural values.

It is hoped that through the festival, lotus products from West Lake will become widely known and chosen as gifts by international tourists and ambassadors of other countries.

In the near future, Hanoi expects to plant more new lotus varieties from home and abroad in the district on a pilot basis. The city also plans to convert low-lying, low-yield rice fields into lotus cultivation zones.

At the same time, technology would be used to diversify the variety of flower colors and shapes and to extend the flowering season of the plant.
In addition to creating green landscapes and protecting the environment, these efforts are expected to help increase the economic value of the lotus, making it a year-round source of income for local people.

Hanoians enjoy fresh lotus and their home is decorated with lotus paintings.