Dong Thap elevating value through lotus products

The province’s second lotus festival, slated to take place on May 16-19, is set to become one of the major events of the province in 2024, helping to promote the economic efficiency of the province’s lotus-based industry.

The province’s lotus-related products will be on show through a variety of events this year

According to Huynh Minh Tuan, Deputy Chairman of Dong Thap People’s Committee, the first lotus festival in 2022 enticed more than 100,000 visitors.

“This year’s event broadly aims to promote the culture, tourism, and bountiful potential of the province to beef up lotus-related business, linking tourism development with the agricultural economy,” Tuan said. “It will also opening up numerous networking opportunities for local and overseas businesses, paving the way for the lotus-based industry to reach the development level deserving its status and inherent immense potential.”

This year, the festival will be taking place in areas across the province, encompassing intriguing lotus-themed activities revealing local people’s working life and spiritual culture.

Nearly 30 activities within the framework of the festival have been extensively promoted by the organising committee on various platforms.

Most notable will be the festival debut programme, themed ‘Shining Lotus’, to take place on the evening of May 16 at the Temple of Literature park in the city of Cao Lanh. There will also be an international symposium on lotus; a symposium on improving Dong Thap’s lotus-based industry value chain; an announcement associated with the export of products to Japan; a food contest; and an exhibition of art photos, paintings, and southern ceramics, among others.

There are also plans for an ao dai parade with the participation of 5,500 Dong Thap women and a space with 66,000 lotus pots, engaging more than 57 varieties.

To improve the economic efficiency of the industry, the province established Dong Thap Lotus Industry Association in May 2022 to support cultivation and production, connect markets, improve sales skills for farmers, and promote access to modern distribution channels.

Other efforts involve registration to establish industrial property rights for the geographical indication ‘Dong Thap’ relevant to lotus products, piloting experiential tours such as visiting Go Thap lotus field, making dishes, and more.

According to Nguyen Xuan Thang, deputy chairman of the association and CEO of Sen Dai Viet Food JSC, the association has spared no efforts to ensure an efficient, quality, and safe lotus industry of high added value, meeting burgeoning market demands.

“The export of the first fresh lotus product shipment on May 7 marked a leap forward in Dong Thap’s lotus industry development,” Thanh said. “This year, Sen Dai Viet Food aims to export to its Japanese partner eight containers of lotus product shipments valued at around VND7 billion ($291,000).

Meanwhile, the 2024 Mekong Delta - Dong Thap Industry and Trade Fair shall bring together 250 booths from a variety of localities.

There will also be spaces to display information on the industry’s value chain, introducing distinct One Commune, One Product (OCOP) items made from lotus and more than 120 related products.

Nguyen Thuy Kieu, director of Ba Tre Co., Ltd. based in Tam Nong district said, “I hope that the festival will ramp up exposure of the province’s distinct lotus products among customers and visitors near and far, expanding the output market for their products as well as boosting income for local growers.”

Currently, lotus growing areas are concentrated in Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh, and Lap Vo districts with total areas approximating 1,840 hectares in 2023, generating incomes averaging $1,150 per ha each season.

The lotus-based industry yielded $79 million in gross production value last year. Over 50 related products were honoured 3-star and higher OCOP recognition. Dried lotus seeds from Nam Huy Dong Thap Co., Ltd. gained 5-star recognition.

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