Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Lotus Festival in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam on Thursday evening to explore and shop for a wide selection of One Commune One Product (OCOP) items.

The festival, held at the square of the Van Mieu Park in the provincial capital city of Cao Lanh, features a display of 100,000 lotus pots, a river decorated with lotus-shaped miniatures, and an art exhibition, among others.

This year’s edition includes some 30 events, such as a lotus-themed international conference and a seminar in which participants will discuss measures to increase the value of the local lotus sector.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Pham Thien Nghia, chairman of the provincial administration, said that this Mekong Delta province boasts 59 lotus products meeting OCOP standards.

Local craftsmen have created multiple lotus-inspired products to enhance the value of the plant, like paintings on lotus leaves and premium lotus tea that Vietnamese officials chose as special gifts for international guests.

On May 7, the province exported its first batch of 15 metric tons of lotus roots to Japan.

Dong Thap is actively working to promote lotus products to more markets in South Korea, Myanmar, mainland China, and Taiwan as part of the province’s efforts to help its lotus items go global in the years to come.

Dong Thap is striving to promote itself as the 'lotus land,' the chairman said.

Nghia added that this festival represents another milestone in the province's efforts to enhance lotus-related trade and tourism, aiming to transform Dong Thap into a safe, friendly, and attractive destination.

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