VietNamNet Bridge – More than 200 meticulously shaped bonsai trees and 300 different species of roses are on display at an exhibition at Thang Long Rose Park in Ha Noi’s Thanh Tri District.

Trees and roses: Part of the display at the Thang Long Rose Park in Ha Noi’s Thanh Tri District.

Thirty bonsai artisans from Ha Noi gathered at the opening ceremony of the exhibition yesterday, and shared experiences on cultivating the ornamental trees.

Dao Manh Hung, director of Thang Long Rose Park, said the event aims to create an “interesting playground” for nature lovers in the city and give bonsai growers a space to meet each other and share their passion for this horticultural art.

“In the past, only rich people could afford bonsai and other ornamental plants. But nowadays, everyone can buy or cultivate one. This event is a meaningful one because it inspires people to live closer to nature."

“In the face of rapid urbanization, it’s very good that Thang Long Rose Park can contribute to preserving the green space of Huynh Cung Village in Thanh Tri District,” said Luu Minh Tri, president of the Thang Long Ornamental Plant Art Association and president of the Thang Long-Ha Noi Cultural Heritage Association.

Trinh Thuan Duc, senior specialist at Biology Landscapes of Viet Nam, said the art of growing bonsai appeared in Viet Nam 900 years ago. There are also differences in how different cultures approach the art, he said.

Duc explained that while the Japanese bonsai is closely attached to the Zen philosophy with no specific themes, Vietnamese bonsai has different stories to tell.

When planting and shaping their trees, Vietnamese growers are inspired by individual feelings as well as relations between people, including friendship, love between family members, and the energy of Vietnamese people, he said.

“Each bonsai has a specific meaning,” Duc said.

Pointing to a miniature phi lao (casurina) tree, he said: “This tree is already 30 years old. And here it represents the life story of an individual. Its rough tree-trunk shows that the person suffered a lot, but the green leaves on the top of the tree shows that he continues to flourish in life and contributes his energy to it.”

Nature miniature: Trinh Thuan Duc senior specialist of Biology Landscapes of Viet Nam, explains to a young woman the intricacies and meanings that bonsai trees carry.

Located in Huynh Cung Village, Thang Long Rose Park has been a favoured destination for rose lovers in the capital.

With a total area of around 45,000sq.m, it is the largest park of its kind in the city, and houses thousands of rose plants, including over 300 world famous varieties.

The bonsai exhibition will run until May 15 at Thang Long Rose Park. Visitors can buy the trees on display. 

VNS