Sa Pa heritage roses: Presenting Vietnamese identity to the Belgian Royal Family

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife present King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium the Sa Pa heritage roses.

During a recent official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, presented King Philippe and Queen Mathilde with a basket of heritage roses from Sa Pa, conveying the Vietnamese people's affection and showcasing the Sa Pa region's distinctive beauty.

On October 23, at the Royal Castle of Laeken, General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, met with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. On this occasion, the Vietnamese leader and his wife presented the Belgian royal couple with a basket of Sa Pa heritage roses, a gift reflecting Viet Nam’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

A team of staff members from the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture collaborated to create the floral arrangement, each contributing specialized skills at different stages to prepare the gift for the Belgian Royal Family.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Dong, Deputy Director of the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute at Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, said the basket of flowers was more than a diplomatic gift; it also offered an opportunity to introduce a distinctive aspect of Vietnamese beauty to international friends. Rather than relying on elaborate words, the Sa Pa heritage roses told a story of the country’s beauty, the richness of its natural environment, and the traditional values preserved by generations of Vietnamese people.

Sa Pa heritage roses are distinguished by their deep pink hues, densely layered double blooms, and distinctive fragrance. The flowers have long been part of life in Viet Nam’s mountainous regions, passed down through generations and becoming one of Sa Pa's defining charms.

In the culture of flower-giving, roses often symbolize affection, respect, and positive relationships. Choosing Sa Pa heritage roses as a gift for the Belgian Royal Family can therefore be seen as a way of expressing esteem, goodwill, and the desire to strengthen the friendship between the two nations through a familiar and meaningful symbol. Behind this diplomatic gift lies a broader story of conserving and promoting the value of a traditional rose variety.

The Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute is currently conducting trials of Sa Pa heritage roses in Me Linh, Hanoi, and Cam Pha, Quang Ninh Province.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Dong said that research to refine propagation and cultivation techniques would not only help expand the potential for growing this rose variety but also create opportunities to diversify products and link flower production with tourism and landscape services. If production aligns with local conditions and market demand, Sa Pa heritage roses could provide additional livelihoods for flower growers.

“From gardens nestled in the mountains of Sa Pa to the formal setting of the Belgian Royal Family, these heritage roses have carried with them the beauty of nature, the charm of Vietnamese culture, and the sincere affection of the Vietnamese people. Though simple, the gift is rich in meaning, helping to strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and Belgium while introducing a distinctive aspect of Viet Nam’s beauty to international friends,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Dong added.

Mai Dan