Lotus is the national flower of Vietnam: Why not?

Delegate Bui Hoai Son emphasized that rising from the mud, the lotus deserves to be the national flower, demonstrating the resilient, indomitable, and noble spirit of the Vietnamese people.

National Assembly Delegate Bui Hoai Son - Photo: National Assembly Media

On the sidelines of the conference on the conservation and development of Vietnamese lotus, in a recent interview with the press, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Van Dong - Deputy Director of the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute - shared that he was one of the people who developed the project to make the lotus the national flower in 2011. He said that at that time, all the necessary and sufficient conditions were met to declare the lotus the national flower, but it could not be announced yet. The reason for this was recently informed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism due to a legal gap.

Worthy of Vietnam's national flower

Previously, at the 7th session, delegate Nguyen Van Canh (Binh Dinh) proposed that the competent authority should approve the lotus as the national flower. Because in 2011, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a national flower election, the percentage of people choosing the lotus reached 81%.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , delegate Bui Hoai Son - a standing member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education - expressed his opinion that Vietnam could choose the lotus as its national flower for many special reasons. He emphasized that the lotus has long been a symbol of nobility, purity and endurance. In the mud, the lotus still rises to bloom purely, representing the resilient, indomitable spirit and noble virtues of the Vietnamese people. The lotus also appears frequently in Vietnamese literature, poetry and other art forms. Images of the lotus are depicted on ancient architectural works, pagodas and daily utensils, affirming the position of the lotus in the flow of culture and history. In addition, the lotus has an important position in Buddhism, a popular religion in Vietnam; symbolizing purity, enlightenment and compassion. The image of Buddha sitting on a lotus pedestal is a familiar and sacred symbol in the Vietnamese soul. One Pillar Pagoda, one of the symbols of the capital, is also a stylized representation of a lotus flower blooming on the lake. When faced with other options such as apricot blossoms, peach blossoms or orchids, the lotus stands out because of its wide representation, not limited by region or season. The lotus is closely associated with daily life and is a common, easily recognizable, and unified symbol. In addition, the lotus symbolizes simplicity, simplicity and beauty, reflecting the spirit, soul and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people; carrying a message of harmony between people and nature. "I believe that with its unique, profound and popular values ​​in life, culture and history, the lotus deserves to be the national flower of Vietnam," said Mr. Son.

Lotus - Photo: HOANG ANH CAO

What should be done to make lotus the national flower?

Mr. Son acknowledged that choosing the lotus as Vietnam's national flower would face certain difficulties.

First, the proposal must be discussed at many levels from specialized agencies to National Assembly committees. This is an approval process and discussions can be lengthy because consensus is needed from many sides. In addition, the authorities must organize surveys and collect opinions from the community to ensure that the lotus is a suitable and agreed choice. To complete the project and clarify the rationale of choosing the lotus, it is necessary to organize seminars, conduct scientific research, and invite experts to participate. It is necessary to develop and pass a law or decree. This process requires coordination between many agencies from the central to local levels. In addition, there is a need for studies to assess the social impact of choosing an official symbol, ensuring that it does not negatively affect the interests of other social groups.

Previously, at the 7th session, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that having a national flower is necessary, but there is no legal basis to announce the national flower. Since 2011, the Government has assigned the ministry to develop a national flower identification system. The lotus was proposed as the national flower. However, when submitting to the authorities, there was a problem with "who has the authority to recognize it, who is the signatory". In the end, the answer was that no one has the authority because there are no regulations. Mr. Hung earnestly requested the National Assembly to fill this legal gap. Accordingly, "it can be assigned to a locality or ministry, branch to include it in the law so that the Government, ministry, branch has the authority to recognize it".

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoa-sen-la-quoc-hoa-cua-viet-nam-tai-sao-khong-2024071417245808.htm