As night falls, thousands of light bulbs illuminate the gardens, transforming the area into a shimmering expanse reminiscent of a miniature Milky Way over the quiet highland countryside.
Farmers are working meticulously to nurture rows of young chrysanthemums in anticipation of the Lunar New Year market. The effort comes after two consecutive storms and floods submerged large areas of flower fields, uprooting plants, breaking stems, and slowing growth.
Local households, unable to wait for external support, have used their own savings to hire workers, clear debris, rehabilitate soil, and replant entire gardens in hopes of salvaging the year-end crop.
Thái Văn Tín, a veteran grower in Kiên Long hamlet, said the damage this year was severe. “Many plants died or were completely uprooted. My family had to hire people to replant, but we still worry that this year’s Tet flowers won’t be as beautiful or uniform as in previous years,” he said.
With gardens restored, farmers have returned to the critical task of controlling the blooming cycle through nighttime lighting. Checking each bulb in his field, grower Lê Cường noted that power outages during the storms disrupted the lighting schedule, raising concerns about flower quality and timing.
Under the warm glow stretching across the fields, silhouettes of farmers move quietly as they adjust pots, check electrical wiring, and monitor watering cycles.
Despite lingering uncertainty over the Tet flower harvest, the residents of Kiên Long remain determined. Their illuminated fields stand as a testament to the resilience and perseverance of Central Vietnam’s communities, who continue to rebuild and hope for a prosperous New Year.