Eye-catching
Meticulously bending iron wires and gently holding each Apollo Phalaenopsis orchid stem and fixing it in place, Phan Van Dong, a professional arranger with over 7 years of experience in Phu Xuan Ward, finished a cascading orchid pot after three hours of focus.
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| Phan Van Dong was shaping orchids with driftwood |
Using shaping techniques to direct the orchid stems downward against a rustic driftwood backdrop, the palm-sized blooms are in full bloom, soft and elegant, flowing in a single and eye-catching direction.
“This year, the market is very fond of orchids mounted on driftwood. From the unique beauty of each piece of driftwood, when combined with orchids and plants such as succulents, spider plants, moss, and ferns, the finished work looks beautiful and fresh, while retaining an extremely natural charm,” said Mr. Dong.
This Tet season, Phalaenopsis orchids are the primary choice due to their large blooms and striking colors. “In addition to driftwood combinations, classic styles like block arrangements, symmetrical shapes, and boat-shaped designs, etc., are also very popular,” shared Mr. Dong.
Mr. Dong’s work begins early in the morning and continues late into the night. On average, he can arrange 150 - 250 stems per day, and during peak days the number can exceed 300.
High income, high pressure
As busy as Mr. Dong, since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan (Vy Da Ward) has been “eating and sleeping” with orchids. He said: “This year, our workshop has 4 workers, including 2 main arrangers and 2 assistants. The main arrangers handle ideas, designs, arrangement styles, and accessories, while the assistants help with arranging, keeping the flowers moist, and wrapping them for delivery to customers.”
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| Tet season provides both high income and a chance for orchid arrangers to satisfy their passion |
In this profession, wages are calculated per stem, averaging between 5,000 and 20,000 VND per stem, depending on the artisan's skill and experience. Having worked as an orchid arranger for more than 5 years, Mr. Tuan can arrange over 100 stems a day in various styles. “Usually, I earn about 1 million VND per day. During the peak period from the middle to the end of the twelfth lunar month, my income can reach 2 to 3 million VND per day.”
While the income is high, the pressure is equally significant. “If a stem breaks, the arranger has to pay for it. A single orchid stem costs between 250,000 and 300,000 VND, while some reaching 1 to 2 million VND. Just one moment of carelessness, a whole day’s wages are gone,” said Mr. Tuan.
Therefore, beyond passion, orchid arrangers must constantly refine their skills in shaping orchid stems, keeping up with aesthetic trends while developing their own styles. Thanks to their refined craftsmanship and keen sense of beauty, Hue’s orchid arrangers are highly regarded and well paid.
Despite owning his own shop, Mr. Dong still accepts invitations to arrange orchids for major orchid wholesalers. “In previous years, I arranged flowers in Hanoi. This year, I moved to Thai Nguyen. I am not the only one; many orchid arrangers from Hue are currently invited to work in other provinces and cities. Bringing in high income while satisfying the passion for creating beautiful orchid works, for orchid arrangers, that is a double joy when Tet arrives.”