(VNF) – Vietnamese consumers spent up to VND409 billion (USD18 million) on imported flowers and bonsai trees for the Lunar New Year 2018 celebration, said the General Department of Customs (GDC).

The data, collected within one month (December 1, 2017 - January 31, 2018), marks a 46.8% on-year increase. People were estimated to have spent VND13 billion on imported flower and bonsai this Tet.

According to GDC, the Netherlands was the largest bonsai and flower exporters to Vietnam during the period with an export value of USD5 million, followed by China (USD3.6 million). Other importers were Japan, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

Orchids and lilies were imported the most from countries such as China, Thailand, the Netherlands, New Zealand and France.

Since Tet is a Spring Festival, flowers and fruit trees are an indispensible part of Vietnamese home decoration on the occasion.

In the past, most households chose traditional ornament plants, such as peach blossoms, kumquat, red roses, yellow sunflowers, chrysanthemums, but nowadays, as people are getting wealthier, many have eyed imported trees and flowers. Despite the high prices, those exotic overseas plants still attract customers./.

( VNF )