Le Thi Thuy of Hong Thuy commune began growing flowers for Tet a month ago despite cold weather. Hong Thuy commune has been a large flower growing region for a long time. But recent torrential rains and floods have severely hurt local business.

Thuy says she used all her savings and donations from the local administration and humanitarian organizations to buy seeds:                   

"Seeds became scarce and more expensive after the floods. I can harvest my vegetables after one month but I have to wait until Tet to cut the flowers. I’ll try to make the flowers bloom at the right time using electric bulbs to warm up the flowers," said Thuy.

52-year old Phan Thi Mien of Ly Trach commune has grown Da Lat chrysanthemums for 10 years. She says local people often begin planting flowers for Tet in the 9^th lunar month. This year, due to prolonged floods, the growers must be very careful at each step from ploughing to decontaminating the soil, to nurturing the plants and need to closely watch the weather. Because of the prolonged rain and cold, flower growers have to spend more time and efforts to assure a successful flower season.

"We need to watch the flowers carefully to know when to spray pesticide. If the weather stays gloomy, the flowers will grow slowly. We must use electric bulbs to stimulate the flowers to bloom at the right time for Tet,” said Mien.

Due to scarcity of vegetable and flower seeds after the floods, the Quang Binh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has worked with businesses to ensure sufficient supply for local farmers. Mai Van Minh, Director of the Department, said: "We try our best to rescue muddy land and research alternative farming models for the winter-spring crop. The agriculture department has worked with seed supply companies and requested for more money from the central budget to help local farmers buy seeds."