THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s agricultural sector is accelerating the expansion of high-quality and climate-resilient lotus cultivation to boost incomes.

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of Hanoi's Department of Agriculture and Environmen, highlighted this goal during a field inspection on 11 July of the 'Lotus Flower Production Associated with Branding and Tourism Development in Several Provinces of the Mekong Delta' project, which is being rolled out in Chuyen My Commune.

He said lotus farming becomes a key solution to unlock the potential of Hanoi’s OCOP (One Commune, One Product) program, stimulate ecotourism, and contribute to building a greener, more culturally rich capital.

According to the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center, a model for cultivating high-yield, climate-resilient varieties has been implemented on 59.5 hectares of land, involving 23 farming households.

The center has been developing 27.5 hectares of lotus cultivation that combines tourism, branding, and climate-resilient models in the former districts of My Duc and Phuc Tho. The model features four lotus varieties: Bach Diep, Super, Quan Am, and Mat Bang.

Director Nguyen Thi Kim Que said these varieties have given high economic returns.

Specifically, Bach Diep and Super lotuses, which are grown for their flowers, can yield between VND320 million and VND360 million (US$12,239 and $13,769) per hectare over three months. Meanwhile, Mat Bang lotuses, which are cultivated for their seeds, generate an income of between VND175 and VND210 million (US$6,693 and US$8,032) per hectare.

Apart from fresh flowers, lotus is used for decoration and high-value tea, earning a profit of about VND60,000 (US$2.30) per flower after subtracting costs.

Lotus seeds, leaves, roots, and stems are widely used for food, teas, medicine, and silk production.

In Ngo Village, local farmer Nguyen Thi Toan has successfully implemented a 10-hectare lotus farm specializing in fresh lotus flowers for tea production. Her lotus tea products sell for VND25,000–VND40,000 (US$1–$1.50) per flower.

"Growing lotus for tea is more profitable than harvesting seeds, so we’re building a long-term business," said Toan, who hoped to receive support in branding and export promotion.