The third Dong Thap Lotus Festival officially opened on the evening of June 18 in Cao Lanh Ward, featuring seven major activities and 19 scheduled programmes throughout the festival period.
Visitors can explore exhibitions of domestic and international lotus varieties, learn about the lotus industry's value chain and sample local specialties at a dedicated food street. Other highlights include trekking activities, a lotus-themed ao dai parade and artistic hot-air balloon performances.
The festival is being held as Dong Thap continues its efforts to develop the lotus into a key pillar of its green economy strategy.
The province currently has around 1,800 hectares of lotus cultivation and produces more than 100 food and cosmetic products derived from the plant. Nearly 60 lotus-based products have received three-star or four-star OCOP certification. The lotus industry generates annual production value of more than VND 1.9 trillion (approximately USD 73 million).
However, the sector faces challenges from climate change, disease outbreaks, declining seed quality and rising production costs. Links between different stages of the value chain also remain limited.
To address these issues, Dong Thap is restructuring production, expanding the use of high technology and developing disease-free lotus varieties through tissue culture techniques, while improving the quality of processed products.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Pham Thanh Ngai, chairman of the Dong Thap People's Committee, said the festival serves not only as a cultural and tourism event but also as a platform to promote the province's image, showcase its potential and attract investment.
"Lotus has become a distinctive cultural asset and is emerging as a new resource for Dong Thap's green economic development," Ngai said.