Hanoi (VNA) - According to traditional beliefs, if daffodils bloom in a house on the New Year’s Eve or early in the mornꩲing of the first day of the Lunar New Year, good fortune, prosperity, and abundance will bless the entire year.

Daffodil lovers invest immense enthusiasm, effort, and time into peeling bulbs and trimming leaves to achieve the desired blooming time. Every year, between the lunar months of October and November, experienced flower growers meticulously select daffodil bulbs with numerous rounded sub-tubers. These bulbs are soaked in water for two days before the peeling process. The purpose of peeling the bulbs is to reveal the flower buds, promoting faster growth. Concurrently, the leaves are skillfully trimmed to acquire beautiful curls, serving as a stunning backdrop when the flowers blossom. Following the peeling process, the daffodil bulbs need to be placed in water, a crucial step that determines the flower’s quality. After soaking in water for 4-5 days, young leaves begin to emerge. To encourage early flowering, warm water is utilized for hydration, and the bulbs are exposed to direct sunlight during the day. At night, they are brought indoors and illuminated with electric bulbs. For late blooming, cold water is used, sometimes achieved by using ice from the refrigerator. The bulbs are soaked in water at a temperature of approximately 15 degrees Celsius. These flowers are kept indoors in a shaded area and are taken outside only at night. Scientifically known as Alstroemeria, daffodils are native to the Mediterranean region and were later cultivated into superior varieties introduced to China, Japan, and Vietnam.

In the early 20th century, middle-class Hanoi households considere𒅌d peach blossoms and daffodils indispensable during Tet holiday.

The exact origins of Hanoians’ daffodil hobby remain unknown, but since 1920, Thang Long has organized a daffodil competition at Bach Ma Temple - Hang Buom every Tet, seeking the most exquisite flower bowls and talented participants. However, the daffodil competition was interrupted in the 1960s. It wasn’t until around 1990 that artisans from Quang Ba village, Hanoi, rekindled the daffodil growing tradition. Since the early 2000s, this hobby has flourished and gained widespread popularity. Through the establishment of associations, groups, and clubs dedicated to daffodil cultivation, people with a shared passion are connected despite geographical distance./.