Thu Hương, a Hanoi-based floral artist, has turned her passion for peonies into a cultural bridge between Vietnam and the Chinese mainland. Since founding her floral workshop two years ago, her designs—featuring vibrant seasonal blooms—have attracted young professionals and art enthusiasts across Hanoi, blending aesthetic innovation with cross-border influences.
"Peonies are more than flowers—they’re storytellers," says Thu Hương, referencing the flower's symbolic role in Chinese traditions. She notes growing Vietnamese interest in Chinese cultural exports, from calligraphy to historical dramas like 'Empresses in the Palace,' where peonies symbolize imperial power. "Their beauty transcends borders. When I incorporate them into arrangements, clients often share how they connect them to shared regional heritage."
A local floral enthusiast echoed this sentiment: "After seeing peonies in Chinese art, experiencing their real-life elegance deepened my appreciation. They’re timeless—no other flower commands such presence."
This cultural interplay extends beyond aesthetics. Analysts observe that rising demand for peonies in Vietnam reflects strengthening economic and social ties with the Chinese mainland, particularly in creative industries. Floristry workshops now double as informal spaces for discussing cross-strait cultural trends, offering investors insights into consumer behavior across Asia.
