Special Things with Vietnam National Flower: Interesting Read

The lotus is recognized as Vietnam's national flower, symbolizing purity, elegance, and strength—qualities that reflect the character of the Vietnamese people. Additionally, it holds significant cultural importance in the daily life of locals. Therefore, travelers seeking an unforgettable Vietnam experience, provided by a reputable international travel agency based in Vietnam, should not overlook the distinctive cultural aspects of this S-shaped country.

Are you curious about Vietnam's national flower? It's the lotus, which grows in muddy waters beneath the surface of ponds. Despite its humble origins, the lotus thrives, reaching upward to absorb sunlight and releasing a beautiful fragrance, untouched by the mud. This article provides an overview of Vietnam's national flower, focusing on the lotus.

I. What are the national flowers in Vietnam?

There are lots of uses for lotus flowers. Local people often use this national flower in Vietnam to decorate their homes, considering it a gift. Besides, lotus is also an ingredient for delicious dishes and drinks, particularly lotus tea.

Additionally, the lotus flower’s blooming season starts at the beginning of summer, and June, and fully blooms in July.

II. Explore Vietnam's national flower culture and daily life

This section highlights the cultural significance of Vietnam's national flower and its role in daily life. The lotus, with its vibrant colors, symbolizes various aspects of Vietnamese culture and the local way of life. Emerging from muddy waters, the lotus exemplifies the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people in facing life's challenges.

Furthermore, the lotus holds spiritual significance in Buddhism, a prominent religion in Vietnam. In Buddhist teachings, the lotus represents purity of both the body and mind.

According to feng shui principles, the lotus is believed to bring prosperity and luck to those who possess it. This belief has led many Vietnamese households to adorn their living spaces with lotus flowers.

III. The importance of the Vietnam-based lotus national flower featured in different colors

Different shades of lotus have distinct meanings:

• Pink lotus: Vietnam's national flower chiefly has a pink shade, which symbolizes love, beauty, and the strong will to survive. Besides, in Buddhism, the pink lotus showcases the religion.
• White lotus: White lotus is considered the symbol of simplicity and elevated aesthetics. With its elegant beauty, the white lotus reflects the purity of human beings. Additionally, its color demonstrates challenges.
• Red lotus: Among different types of lotus, red lotus shows emotional meanings. It will stand for the love, passion, and emotions of humankind. When the red lotus is blooming, it will represent an open-minded heart that shows full love.
• Yellow lotus: The yellow lotus represents the enlightenment based on the Buddhist spirits. This yellow lotus comes from a rare flower that originated in North America. Besides, tourists can have a chance to see many yellow lotuses which bloom in October.

1. The mysterious things about Vietnam's national flower

As external conditions fluctuate in the wild environment, the national lotus flower maintains a relatively stable internal temperature. It is strongly believed that this stability is achieved at the biochemical level rather than through structural changes. When the temperature drops, the Vietnam national flower oxidizes carbohydrates to increase heat production.

2. Tasting the lotus tea signifies lotus Vietnam cuisine and beverage

As you may not know, lotus tea is an integral part of festivals and ceremonies throughout Vietnam. The tea is enclosed in lotus flowers to infuse them with a fragrant aroma. Another method involves baking the stamens, which are the pollen-producing parts of the flowers, with lotus leaves in an oven.

In addition to being used for tea, the lotus flower is also utilized in the preparation of distinct Vietnamese-style salads, known as Goi. Chefs use the roasted seeds of young lotus flowers to create unique and flavorful snacks. Furthermore, the leaves of mature lotus plants are employed to wrap food in an eco-friendly manner, such as steamed rice and certain types of fish.

Given its diverse uses and symbolic significance, it's no wonder that the lotus flower was chosen as Vietnam's national flower with a significant majority vote of about 71.1%.

3. An image of sleeping underwater - lotus Vietnam

When the nights fall, the lotus flower closes and sinks, which hides its purity for nights. As the sun rises on the new day, the lotus flower re-emerges to represent pure beauty again. That is why the lotus flower, Vietnam's national flower, is known as the flower of the dawn.

4. Symbolizing Buddhist detachment

For Buddhists, the depiction of water sliding off lotus petals symbolizes the perspective of detachment in their faith. This imagery encourages practitioners to let go of lust, cravings, and desires. As a result, many statues and images portray the Buddha seated on a lotus, emphasizing this aspect of Buddhist philosophy.

5. Flower wilts after two months

In real life, when lotus flowers emerge in many ponds and lakes, they commonly live for around two months. After that, it will wilt and then lose its initial shape. It often happens in July or August.

6. Beauty from the muck

The lotus flower stands for pure beauty, according to Vietnamese people. It will stand out from the mud and grime to show its color and beauty to the world. Therefore, Vietnamese people often see the lotus flower as an iconic symbol of true beauty overcoming challenges and darkness.

V. When the lotus flower blooms?

The shade of the lotus flower blooms depending on the region. In particular, the lotus will bloom as early as March in the northern part of Vietnam. Besides, the Southern part prevents the lotus flower from blooming until May.

VI. Distinct Vietnamese building reflecting the shape of the lotus flower

1 The Bitexco Tower in Ho Chi Minh City

As the tallest building in Vietnam before constructing Landmark 81, surpassing it in 2017, the Bitexco Tower in Ho Chi Minh City is well-known for its eye-catching structure and architectural styles. The chief architect of this tower, called Carlos Zapata, was inspired by the lotus flower Vietnam's national flower, to make the tower’s curved shapes.

2. One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

In Hanoi, the One Pillar Pagoda is a significant architectural landmark inspired by Vietnam's national flower, the lotus. According to legend, this spiritual pagoda was constructed based on King Ly Thai Tong's dream of a lotus throne in the 11th century.

Interestingly, the One Pillar Pagoda consists of only one pillar emerging from the mud to support its traditional wooden architectural design. The pillar represents the lotus stem, while the wooden structure symbolizes the fully bloomed lotus flower. Visitors to the One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi will observe a pagoda shaped like a large lotus in the lake.

3 Tram Huong Tower in Nha Trang

Finally, another famous monument inspired by Vietnam's national flower, the lotus, is the Tram Huong Tower in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Travelers can admire the architectural design of the Tram Huong Tower, which resembles a lotus. Moreover, this tower is a symbol of Nha Trang due to its distinctive design. The Tram Huong Tower resembles an orange lotus flower in the sunlight, and at night, it continues to glow with lights illuminating its petals.

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