Ho Chi Minh City does not accept flowers to celebrate the opening of the school year, Dalat Flower Association recommends consideration

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training issued a document "not accepting congratulatory flowers in any form" at the opening ceremony, the Dalat Flower Association petitioned because it believed it would cause damage to the flower industry.

At the end of August 2025, some schools in Ho Chi Minh City also announced that they would not accept flowers to congratulate the opening ceremony, and would convert them into scholarships to give to poor students - Photo: NHU HUNG

On September 4, Mr. Phan Thanh Sang, chairman of the Dalat Flower Association, said that he had sent a petition to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City regarding the department's issuance of an official dispatch "not accepting congratulatory flowers in any form" at the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year.

Please convert flowers into scholarships

This policy aims to implement the Party and State's direction on practicing thrift and fighting waste, while spreading the spirit of humanity and sharing difficulties with people in flood-affected areas.

Mr. Sang said that right after the document was issued, the Dalat Flower Association received many complaints from members and businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong about a series of orders being canceled close to the opening day. Many stores were in a passive position when they had already prepared flower shelves, flower baskets, materials and workers.

The official dispatch of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City was widely disseminated to agencies, organizations, businesses, parents and individuals. Accordingly, the guidance on decorating with fresh flowers on stages, podiums, and school gates is also limited, only used in really necessary locations, ensuring solemnity but saving, avoiding ostentation.

In addition, the department encourages organizations and individuals, instead of giving flowers, to contribute to the scholarship fund or support people who have just suffered heavy damage from storms No. 4 and No. 5. Previously, many schools pioneered the "green opening ceremony" form, not accepting flowers but asking to convert them into scholarships for disadvantaged students.

Dalat flower industry recommends 4 points to the education sector

In the petition of the Da Lat Flower Association, Lam Dong flower industry has faced many difficulties after the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced consumption, mainly depending on holidays and Tet.

Currently, the whole province has more than 10,900 hectares of flower cultivation, with an output of 4.4 billion branches/year and 600 million flower pots and decorative leaves. Fresh flower exports last year reached more than 442 million branches, creating livelihoods for more than 50,000 farming households, businesses and thousands of flower shops in Ho Chi Minh City.

Lam Dong flower industry has faced many difficulties after the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced consumption, mainly depending on holidays and Tet - Photo: LA

"Giving flowers on the opening day of school is not simply a formality but also a traditional beauty, expressing affection and gratitude towards the education sector and teachers" - the document of the Dalat Flower Association clearly stated.

From there, the association proposed four points: considering flower and tree decoration in offices and schools as an activity contributing to creating a green - clean - beautiful environment, which needs to be socialized.

Receiving flowers from businesses, parents, and individuals should not be restricted if used sparingly and harmoniously.

It is necessary to consider converting flowers to the scholarship fund because this is a long-term movement that can be launched separately instead of being included in the opening ceremony.

Directive documents need to be issued soon to avoid causing damage to businesses, farmers and related units.

MV

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-khong-nhan-hoa-mung-khai-giang-hiep-hoi-hoa-da-lat-kien-nghi-can-nhac-20250904153024412.htm