Princess orchids plated with 24K gold cost several million dong per branch

In the days approaching Tet, the flower and ornamental plant market in Ho Chi Minh City begins to be vibrant. Unlike previous years, this year’s buyers not only look for flowers to display but also pay more attention to the meaning and symbolic value of the product.

This change has caused some stores to adjust their methods, bringing the “gold” element – an item mentioned a lot in the past year – into Tet flowers. 24K gold-plated princess orchids therefore appear as a new consumer trend during this year’s Tet season, focusing on the high-end segment.

Ms. Hong, living in Xuan Hoa ward, said she chose to buy gold-plated orchids after considering many different types of Tet flowers. According to her, orchids are suitable for display in the living room because of their compact shape and can be kept for a long time. “The price is higher than regular orchids, but there is an additional golden element so I chose it with the hope that the new year will be more favorable,” she said.

Ms. Minh Anh, living in Phu My ward, said that gold-plated orchids help create a highlight for the Tet space. “I chose according to the store’s advice. After Tet, the flowers are still there, so I don’t have to clean them up early,” she shared.

In the group of gift buyers, Mr. Hoang Nam assessed that gold-plated orchids were suitable as high-end Tet gifts. “The addition of a gold element makes the gift show its value more clearly,” he said.

Mr. Vo Van Con, owner of a flower shop on Truong Chinh Street, Tay Thanh Ward, said this product was introduced from observing customer buying behavior. “This year, customers talk more about gold, from hoarding it to giving it as a gift. We think if we combine this element with Tet flowers, it will be in line with common concerns,” he said.

According to Mr. Con, the princess orchid was chosen as the base for the product because it belongs to the high-end segment, has a compact shape and can be played for a long time. Inlaid with 24K gold on flower petals helps orchid pots not only play a decorative role, but also bring additional meaning of fortune at the beginning of the year. Although not aimed at the masses, this product line recorded more customers closing early than conventional orchid lines, mainly for Tet display or giving as gifts.

He said, the store has received about 20-30 pre-orders, in addition to single orders arising every day. Peak delivery of orchid pots is from December 22. The selling price of gold-plated orchids depends on the number of branches and type. For small pots, the price is from 1-2 million VND per branch. Particularly princess orchids – the highest quality line, cost 3-4 million VND per branch. Pots with many branches can cost several tens of million VND, the highest order at this store is about 30 million VND.

Not only adding gold elements, stores also invest in design to make a difference. Some orchid pots are made according to their own ideas, popular with traditional images such as Plum – Orchid – Chrysanthemum – Bamboo, shown on the fabric covering the pot and decorative accessories. According to the seller, customers who buy gold-plated orchids are often interested in the overall flower pot and the accompanying message, instead of just comparing prices.

A salesperson at a flower shop in Ban Co said that the gold-plated princess orchid is a new product line launched during this year’s Tet season and is chosen by high-income customers more than expected. “Since the beginning of December, the number of customers asking to buy has increased significantly. Many people order their own samples to give to partners or display in their homes,” this person said.

Orchids are mainly imported from Da Lat. According to store owners, this year’s weather is not favorable, with floods and rain causing output to decrease and flower prices to increase over the same period. In that context, stores are forced to sell early and limit quantities. “Gold-plated orchids cannot be mass-produced because it takes a long time to make and depends on the source of quality flowers. Customers usually have to order at least a week in advance,” Mr. Con said.

Princess orchid is a high-end line, each branch has 16-18 flowers, carefully selected before being crafted. Previously, this line of orchids was mainly imported from Taiwan or Japan at high prices. Successful cultivation in Da Lat in recent years has helped the supply become more stable, although prices are still high in the Tet flower market.

Each pot of gold-plated orchids is made entirely by hand. The completion time lasts nearly two days, much longer than regular orchids. The gold used is 24K, plated directly onto the flower petals with specialized materials to ensure the flowers maintain their durability throughout the Tet period. Due to limited quantities, stores only accept orders according to plan and do not sell in bulk.