The third Dong Thap Lotus Festival opened on the evening of 18/6 in Cao Lanh ward, featuring seven main activities and 19 timed programs.

Attendees can explore the exhibition area showcasing domestic and international lotus varieties, learn about the lotus industry's value chain, and enjoy dishes at the food street. The program also includes trekking, a lotus ao dai parade, and artistic hot air balloon performances.

Visitors take photos at the lotus festival. Photo: *Trung Pham*

The event takes place as Dong Thap aims to develop lotus into a key green economic sector. The province currently has approximately 1,800 hectares of lotus cultivation, over 100 types of food and cosmetic products processed from this plant, and nearly 60 One Commune One Product (OCOP) items achieving 3-4 stars. The lotus sector generates a production value of over 1,900 billion VND annually.

However, production activities face challenges from climate change, diseases, degraded varieties, and increasing input costs. Linkages between stages in the value chain also remain limited.

The locality is restructuring production, applying high technology, propagating disease-free lotus varieties using tissue culture methods, and improving the quality of processed products.

Exhibition space and introduction of lotus products. Photo: *Trung Pham*

Speaking at the opening, Pham Thanh Ngai, Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, stated that the festival is not only a cultural and tourism activity but also contributes to promoting the local image, introducing its potential, and attracting investment.

Ngai added, “Lotus has become a unique cultural resource and is a new driving force for Dong Thap's green economic development.”