Flowers in Vietnam: Top 13 Species for Nature Lovers to Explore

Vietnam's tropical climate and diverse ecosystems create the perfect environment for an extraordinary variety of flowering plants. In Vietnam, there are approximately 13,766 different kinds of plants, about 10% of which are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else. From the sacred lotus blooming in ancient ponds to the spectacular buckwheat flowers carpeting northern mountains, Vietnam's floral heritage offers nature lovers an unforgettable journey through some of the world's most captivating blooms.

1. Lotus (Hoa Sen)

The lotus flower, or hoa sen, lives mostly in water and is white or pink. Lotus is the Vietnamese symbol for summer because that is when it blooms and perfumes the air. Though not officially recognized as Vietnam's national flower, the lotus holds an unparalleled position in Vietnamese culture and spirituality.

The lotus symbolizes the purity and serenity of a person; central to Vietnamese Buddhist philosophy and national identity (Source: Internet)

Belonging to the Nelumbo family, the lotus is native to Asia and Australia but has found its spiritual home in Vietnam's waterways. To the Vietnamese, the lotus symbolizes the purity and serenity of a person. Like the courageous Vietnamese, the flower grows in a murky pond but rises above the surface to bloom with exceptional beauty and fragrance. This powerful metaphor has made the lotus central to Vietnamese Buddhist philosophy and national identity.

The lotus is even found on your plate, where the petals are used to wrap sticky rice, and the seeds are served as a side dish or are mixed into salads. The yellow center of the flower can be used to garnish teacups. Sometimes, the flower is dried and steeped to make a delicious tea. The lotus leaves, seeds, and stems are all utilized in Vietnamese cuisine and traditional medicine.

What makes Vietnam's lotus truly special is its integral role in daily life (Source: Internet)

2. Orchid (Hoa Lan)

The orchid, or hoa lan, is a common sight all over Vietnam. These flowers are used in religious ceremonies in the country and grow on trunks of trees or on cliffs where the weather is humid and there is plenty of sunlight. There are 100,000 species of orchids and 500 of them grow naturally in Vietnam.

Orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family, one of the largest flowering plant families in the world. Vietnam's tropical climate and mountainous terrain provide ideal conditions for these epiphytic beauties. From the misty mountains of Sapa to the humid forests of the Central Highlands, Vietnamese orchids display remarkable diversity in color, size, and form.

Vietnam is home to several endemic orchid species found nowhere else on Earth, including unique varieties in the Annamite mountain range. These flowers have adapted to Vietnam's specific microclimates, making the country a hotspot for orchid enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.

The cultural significance of orchids in Vietnam extends beyond their beauty - they symbolize refinement and are often given as prestigious gifts during important celebrations. (Source: Internet)

3. Apricot Blossom (Hoa Mai)

If peach blossom is the symbol of Tet in the North, the yellow apricot is a must-have flower during the Lunar New Year in the South. Apricot flowers are said to symbolize luck, love, health, and wealth.

The apricot blossom, known locally as hoa mai, represents the essence of southern Vietnamese Tet celebrations. (Source: Internet)

Native to southern Vietnam and belonging to the Ochna integerrima species, the apricot blossom has become synonymous with good fortune and new beginnings. While other flowers are preferred to be fully bloomed before Tet, apricot is expected by the southern people to flourish on the first days of the holiday. A beautiful apricot tree must have both bloomed flowers and flower buds.

Unlike ornamental apricots elsewhere, Vietnamese mai trees have been cultivated for centuries to produce the most vibrant yellow blooms during this auspicious period, making them an irreplaceable part of southern Vietnamese cultural identity.

4. Peach Blossom (Hoa Dao)

The peach flower, known in Vietnam as hoa dao, grows only in North Vietnam. It is the symbol of the Vietnamese New Year because it is red, signifying good opportunities for the coming year. The peach blossom holds the same cultural significance in northern Vietnam as the apricot blossom does in the south.

Belonging to the Prunus persica family, Vietnamese peach blossoms have adapted to the cooler northern climate. When spring comes to town, new and splendid pink flowers and green leaves cover the trees. It is a local custom to have this flower in the house during Tet, since peach blossom in Vietnamese culture is believed to bring along happiness, peace, and good health to the family.

Northern families carefully tend to their peach trees throughout the year, timing the pruning and care to ensure perfect blooms for the most important celebration of the Vietnamese calendar. (Source: Internet)

5. Chrysanthemum (Hoa Cuc)

Chrysanthemums, known locally as hoa cuc, represent autumn's arrival in Vietnam. Originally from East Asia, these flowers belong to the Asteraceae family and have been cultivated in Vietnam for centuries. The flower's significance extends beyond decoration - chrysanthemums are deeply embedded in Vietnamese cultural traditions and are associated with the autumn season's reflective nature.

Vietnamese chrysanthemums come in numerous varieties, from the classic daisy-like forms to the elaborate pompom types favored during festivals. The flowers bloom abundantly during Vietnam's most comfortable season, making them popular for outdoor celebrations and temple decorations. In traditional Vietnamese medicine, chrysanthemums are valued for their cooling properties and are often brewed into tea.

What distinguishes Vietnamese chrysanthemum cultivation is the integration of these flowers into seasonal festivals (Source: Internet)

6. Rose (Hoa Hong)

It comes in many shades, such as yellow, red or pink. Vietnam's rose industry, centered in the cool highland city of Da Lat, has developed unique varieties adapted to tropical highland conditions.

This rose is native to the Vietnamese city of Da Lat. (Source: Internet)

The Rosa species cultivated in Vietnam belong to both imported European varieties and locally developed hybrids. Da Lat's temperate climate, located at 1,500 meters above sea level, provides ideal growing conditions that rival those of traditional rose-growing regions.

The city has become Vietnam's unofficial "Rose Capital", producing flowers that supply both domestic markets and export demands. (Source: Internet)

Vietnam's contribution to rose cultivation includes the development of heat-tolerant varieties that can bloom year-round in tropical highlands - an achievement that has made Vietnamese roses sought after in the international floriculture market. The Da Lat roses are particularly prized for their intense fragrance and vibrant colors, qualities enhanced by the region's cool nights and warm days.

7. Royal Poinciana (Hoa Phượng)

The Royal Poinciana, known locally as hoa phượng, is Vietnam's iconic summer flower. Originally from Madagascar but belonging to the Delonix regia species, this magnificent tree has become synonymous with Vietnamese school graduations and summer memories. The flame-like flowers create spectacular displays that coincide with the end of the school year.

In Vietnamese culture, the Royal Poinciana represents the passionate energy of youth and the bittersweet nature of endings and new beginnings. (Source: Internet)

Students across Vietnam associate these bright red blooms with graduation ceremonies, making them deeply emotional symbols of academic achievement and childhood's end. (Source: Internet)

The trees line streets throughout Vietnamese cities, creating natural canopies of fire-red blooms that provide both beauty and shade during the intense summer months. The timing of their bloom has made them inseparable from Vietnamese educational traditions.

8. Frangipani (Hoa Su)

Frangipani, known in Vietnam as hoa su, represents purity and devotion in Vietnamese culture. Belonging to the Plumeria genus, these flowers are native to Central America but have found a spiritual home in Vietnam's temple gardens and sacred spaces.

The waxy, five-petaled blooms release an intoxicating fragrance that has made them popular in traditional perfumes and religious ceremonies. (Source: Internet)

Vietnamese frangipani trees are particularly associated with Buddhist temples, where their white and yellow blooms symbolize the lotus-like purity of enlightenment. The flowers' ability to bloom even when the tree appears dormant has made them symbols of resilience and faith in Vietnamese folklore.

Vietnam's tropical climate allows frangipani to bloom almost continuously, creating year-round displays of fragrant flowers that have become integral to the sensory experience of visiting Vietnamese temples and gardens. Local varieties have developed enhanced fragrance and longer-lasting blooms compared to their original tropical ancestors.

9. Gladiolus (Hoa Lay On)

Gladiolus, known locally as hoa lay on, represents strength and moral integrity in Vietnamese flower symbolism. These elegant spire-like flowers belong to the Gladiolus genus and thrive in Vietnam's cooler highland regions, where the climate mimics their preferred temperate conditions.

The sword-like leaves and tall flower spikes have made gladiolus popular for formal arrangements and commemorative occasions in Vietnam. The flowers' upright growth pattern symbolizes steadfastness and honor, making them appropriate for ceremonies honoring achievements or remembering loved ones.

Vietnamese cultivation of gladiolus has focused on developing varieties that can withstand tropical humidity while maintaining the classic, elegant form. (Source: Internet)

10. Carnation (Hoa Cam Chuong)

Originally from the Mediterranean region, these Dianthus caryophyllus flowers have adapted well to Vietnam's highland climates, particularly in Da Lat, where they're commercially cultivated for both domestic and export markets.

Carnations, known as hoa cam chuong in Vietnamese, have become increasingly popular in Vietnam's cut flower industry (Source: Internet)

The success of carnation cultivation in Vietnam represents the country's growing expertise in floriculture. Vietnamese growers have developed techniques to produce carnations with longer stems, more vibrant colors, and extended vase life, making them competitive in international markets.

11. Buckwheat Flower (Hoa Tam Giac Mach)

The buckwheat flower, also known locally as "Tam Giac Mach," is a symbol of love and enduring spirit in Ha Giang. It has become an icon for tourists and photographers alike, offering stunning backdrops that contrast beautifully with the region's rugged landscapes.

Buckwheat is a grain-like plant that has been part of Southeast Asia's agriculture for over 5,000 years. While the plant can reach a height of 2 to 4 feet, its three-sided grain seeds are the true star. The buckwheat flower blooms just three weeks after planting, luring people in for its undeniable beauty.

What makes Vietnam's buckwheat flowers truly unique is their exclusive association with the northernmost province of Ha Giang. The Buckwheat Flower Festival takes place every autumn in Vietnam's northern province of Ha Giang.

Acres of green fields blossom simultaneously with purple and white petals, creating a dreamy effect in this incredible landscape. (Source: Internet)

Simple but lovable, modest but charming, buckwheat is harmonious with the green color of the forest and the grey color of the mountains, which together create an endless source of inspiration for art enthusiasts. The flowers transform color throughout their blooming period, starting white and gradually deepening to pink and finally deep red, creating an ever-changing landscape that has made Ha Giang a premier destination for nature photographers.

12. Plum Blossom (Hoa Man)

The iconic flowers of Vietnam in February are plum blossoms (hoa mận). The northwestern mountainous provinces and cities, namely Moc Chau and Sapa, are the best places for tourists to see the pristine beauty of this flower. During this time of the year, plum blossoms dye the whole region white.

Plum blossoms belong to the Prunus genus and represent one of Vietnam's most poetic seasonal displays. Plum blossoms tend to bloom during the last days of February when it is no longer too cold in Northern Vietnam. If the weather is fine, the flowers will bloom continuously for 7 - 10 days.

The cultural significance of plum blossoms in Vietnam connects to themes of perseverance and renewal, as these flowers bloom on bare branches before leaves appear, symbolizing hope emerging from difficult times. The spectacular white displays in Moc Chau and Sapa have become major tourist attractions, representing Vietnam's ability to find beauty in challenging mountain environments.

Vietnamese plum blossoms are particularly prized for their pure white color and the dramatic contrast they create against the rugged mountain landscapes of northern Vietnam. (Source: Internet)

13. Water Lily (Hoa Sung)

Water lilies, known as hoa sung in Vietnamese, complement the lotus as Vietnam's signature aquatic flowers. Belonging to the Nymphaea genus, these floating beauties grace Vietnam's countless ponds, lakes, and waterways throughout the country. Unlike their sacred lotus cousins, water lilies represent quiet contemplation and peaceful beauty.

Vietnamese water lilies have adapted to the country's varied aquatic environments, from the nutrient-rich waters of the Mekong Delta to the mountain lakes of northern provinces. (Source: Internet)

Water lily is also an ingredient to make dishes such as hotpot, salad, and soup. (Source: Internet)

The diversity of water lily varieties in Vietnam includes both native species and cultivated hybrids that produce exceptional colors and forms, making Vietnamese water gardens renowned for their beauty and biodiversity.

Whether you are photographing buckwheat fields in Ha Giang, admiring lotus ponds in the Mekong Delta, or exploring the rose gardens of Da Lat, flowers in Vietnam offer windows into both natural wonders and cultural traditions.

For optimal flower viewing, plan visits during the cool season (October to March) for the greatest variety, though Vietnam's tropical climate ensures spectacular blooms throughout the year. Book your flight now or contact us for more guidelines.