Ho Chi Minh City is covered in artificial apricot and peach blossom trees.

Artificial flowers used for decoration in many public spaces such as Ben Thanh Market and Turtle Lake have received mixed reactions, alongside the vibrant paint colors that are gradually being applied to these structures.

The project to renovate the square in front of Ben Thanh Market with wave-like motifs is receiving mixed opinions. The clusters of artificial apricot and peach blossoms decorating the area have also sparked controversy on social media, with many deeming them aesthetically unappealing. According to Tri Thuc - Znews on February 1st , the area features dozens of pots of fresh flowers, artificial apricot and peach blossoms, and flower boats on undulating patterns, reminiscent of the old market along the Ben Nghe River.

Not only in front of Ben Thanh Market, but also in many other public works in Ho Chi Minh City, artificial flowers are being used to decorate public spaces during the Lunar New Year season. At Turtle Lake – one of the seven public works being renovated for Tet – artificial apricot and peach blossoms, along with dozens of pots of chrysanthemums, are arranged along the path leading up to the tower. The steps, originally painted green, have been changed to gray after receiving feedback from residents.

Thanh Hien (on the right, residing in Phu Thuan ward) shared: "Turtle Lake in its 'new look' is more refined and full of energy, although its previous antique appearance was also quite nice." She believes that the combination of fresh flowers such as lotus, water lilies, and chrysanthemums creates a harmonious feeling. The addition of artificial apricot and peach blossoms creates a cultural fusion between the North and South, as peach blossoms are not traditionally found in the South.

The area in front of the Diamond Plaza lobby continues to be a popular check-in spot for locals and tourists, highlighted by rows of artificial apricot and peach blossom trees over 3 meters tall. Crowds flock here to take photos and check in from early morning until late at night.

Fabric plum blossom branches, adorned with red/black stamens, are linked together by brown plastic stems, which are then attached to a wooden trunk to create a natural look.

Being fond of real flowers, Quoc Huy (from Chanh Hung ward) usually avoids photo spots using artificial flowers. According to Huy, in the context of limited budgets but long display times to serve the demand for "check-ins," artificial flowers become the optimal choice due to their reusability over many years. He said he still follows the conflicting opinions about urban beautification, but believes that refreshing iconic structures is reasonable, creating a fresh space and ensuring its longevity.

Meanwhile, Ngoc Diem (on the right, Tan Binh ward) believes that Tet (Vietnamese New Year) cannot be without apricot and peach blossoms. "During this time, many places in the city are beautifully and grandly decorated; even before Tet arrives, the spirit of spring is everywhere," Diem said. According to her, artificial flower branches are increasingly detailed, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake from a distance; when taking photos, you only need to stand at a certain distance to still see them.

Not far away, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural Center is adorned with vibrant yellow apricot blossoms, stretching from the entrance gate to the interior spaces of the hall. Tens of thousands of flower branches are arranged on wooden frames, creating a striking "forest of flowers" that attracts attention from afar.

On the afternoon of February 1st, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural Center inaugurated the 2026 Vietnamese Tet Festival (Year of the Horse) with the theme "The Beauty of the Past in the Radiance of Today". Many familiar images of traditional Tet, such as the Calligrapher's Street, the apricot blossom street, the Tet pole, traditional craft villages, and haystacks, were recreated. Mr. Nguyen Hong Phuc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural Center, said that the festival aims to spread traditional cultural values, create a unique cultural mark for the city during the spring season, and contribute to promoting the image of the people and identity of a modern, dynamic, and integrated Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides the artificial apricot and peach blossom branches, the festival also features dozens of potted yellow apricot blossoms that have had their leaves removed and are budding, expected to bloom in the next few days, signaling the approaching Tet holiday.

Source: https://znews.vn/rop-mai-dao-nhua-tai-tphcm-post1624567.html