Vietnamese people spent up to VND409 billion (USD18 million) on importing flowers and bonsai trees for this year’s lunar new year, according to the General Department of Customs.

The figure reported between December 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018, marking a 46.8% on-year increase. People were estimated to have spent VND13 billion on imported flower and bonsai this Tet.

A kind of orchid imported from China

The department said that the Netherlands was the largest bonsai and flower exporters to Vietnam during the period with an export value of USD5 million. China came second with USD3.6 million with runners-up Japan, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

Orchids and lilies were imported the most from countries such as China, Thailand, the Netherlands, New Zealand and France.

Nguyen Thi Phuong, managing director of Liti Florist in Hanoi, said that the imported flower market saw a variety of products. Businesses and many families are willing to spend tens of millions of VND on these products.

Despite the high prices, imported flowers and bonsai trees still attract customers.