The ministry of culture's Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition Department has been assigned to draft criteria for the selection process for the country's national flower. The blossom would be a national symbol in line with existing famous emblems including pho (beef noodle), the ao dai (traditional long dress) and the non la (bamboo conical hat). A conference was held last month to discuss the established criteria. The list states that the flower should have originated or been present in Viet Nam for a long time; it should be planted throughout the country; it should be in bloom throughout the year; it should be congruent with the traditional identity and will of the Vietnamese people; it should be beautiful and fragrant; it should be popular; it should be economically viable; it has a history of being associated with literature and art; and it cannot already be a national flower of another country.
Painter Vi Kien Thanh, head of the department, talks about the criteria:
Do you think that criteria is too demanding? For example, the rules stipulating that the flower must "be planted all over the country", or that it "should be in bloom all year round". I'm afraid only the waterfern or banana flower can meet such criteria. What are your thoughts?
The list of criteria is really demanding. The list was put together by a group of 10 people from various ministries and sectors including diplomats, scientists, horticulturists, farmers, sociologists, artists and anthropologists.
The members of the drafting board created the official criteria. However, at the recent conference in Ha Noi, participants objected to the list and said that the criteria should be more flexible.
I know that some criteria are a little too theoretical and not that in touch with reality. The list will probably be reduced to five criteria and then a national flower will hopefully be chosen.
Some people claim that selecting a national flower is just a growing trend that is popular in several countries around the globe. What do you think?
Such claims are false. This issue has been under discussion for quite some time. The idea stemmed from a real demand, mostly from the diplomatic sector, for the country to pick a national flower.
Leaders from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it was really necessary for us to have a national flower, and they advised us to pick one as soon as possible.
I actually do think it is that picking a national flower requires that much urgency. It should be an easy, yet challenging task. If we are unable to reach a consensus immediately, then we can't take our time.
As a painter, which flower would you choose?
I prefer the pink lotus. Other countries have already chosen the white lotus as their national flower.
Biologically speaking, the pink lotus is popular throughout the country.
The flower lives in water, which is common in a tropical, agricultural country and it's a product of the paddy state.
The flower reflects the soul of the Vietnamese people because it has to struggle hard to survive, while being pure and beautiful.
With respect to the flower's colour, its yellow filaments, green leaves and pink petals are reminiscence of the national flag.
The pink lotus has been a part of the Vietnamese people's spiritual and daily life for quite some time, as well.
What's next for the selection process?
After the flower is officially chosen, we will formally introduce the flower as our official icon.
Maybe after the pink lotus is officially recognised as the national flower, then we will organise a lotus festival every three or five years. Perhaps we will even have a street festival in Ha Noi with a lotus theme.
Then, the pink lotus will be displayed at all culture festivals in and outside Viet Nam. — VNS