From the gardens of Sa Pa to the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels, ancient Sa Pa roses had travelled a remarkable journey. Behind the basket of flowers presented to the King and Queen of Belgium were days of urgent preparation, close coordination among government agencies, scientists and flower growers, and a shared dedication to bringing the natural beauty of Vietnam to international friends.
On the morning of October 23, 2026, local time, at the Royal Palace of Laeken, General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, met with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. In this dignified setting, the basket of ancient Sa Pa roses presented to the Belgian royal couple added a distinctly Vietnamese touch of charm. These roses, closely associated with the mountainous northwestern region of Vietnam, became a gift conveying sincere respect and friendship.
General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, present a basket of ancient Sa Pa roses to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. (Photo: VNA)
Ancient Sa Pa roses were cherished for their delicate pink hues, soft, layered petals and distinctive fragrance. Nurtured, propagated and preserved by local people over generations, these roses had become an integral part of the local landscape and way of life. Chosen as a diplomatic gift, each bloom also carried a story of Sa Pa and the people who had devoted themselves to preserving its beauty.
Preparations for this journey were carried out at an accelerated pace throughout October 2026. On October 9, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment entrusted Vietnam Natioinal University of Agriculture (VNUA) with preparing ancient Sa Pa rose plants, fresh flowers, introductory materials and other items for the presentation ceremony. The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection coordinated the completion of plant quarantine procedures, while the Agricultural Counsellor at the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium helped liaise with the relevant Belgian authorities. Under the preparations, a rose plant was also selected to be added to the Belgian Royal Family’s rose garden.
At VNUA, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, VNUA’s President, promptly established working groups, providing direct leadership and resolving challenges as they arose during implementation. Scientists and technical staff quickly assessed the available rose plants, selected healthy specimens, organised their care and monitoring, and developed transportation plans. The Centre for Flower and Ornamental Plant Research and Development, VNUA, took responsibility for the technical aspects, from assessing the quality of the plants and flowers to preparing appropriate preservation measures. The living rose plant and cut flowers were prepared in accordance with specific technical requirements to ensure they would be suitable for receipt in Belgium. The university’s departments and offices worked together to design the presentation box, compile introductory materials and liaise with relevant technical agencies, helping ensure that every detail of the presentation ceremony was carefully prepared.
For the fresh flowers, preparations began in the gardens of Sa Pa. Following several site inspections, Mong Mo Rose Garden was selected as the source of flowers for the gift. On October 17, 2026, a working delegation led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Dong, Deputy Director of the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute, VNUA, conducted a further inspection alongside research staff, plant quarantine officers, local representatives and the garden owner. The team reviewed and agreed on the flower selection and treatment plan. Each stem was carefully examined for colour, stage of bloom, stem firmness and signs of pests or disease.
The joint working delegation, comprising scientists, technical staff, plant quarantine officers and local officials, conducts fieldwork in Sa Pa.
The preparation process presented several challenges. The transitional weather meant that flower quality varied from one garden to another, while thrips could hide inside buds and blooms. The delicate petals were also susceptible to bruising and shedding during transport. To preserve the flowers’ beauty throughout the long journey, the technical team had to carefully consider every stage of the process, from the timing of harvesting and water uptake to flower protection, moisture retention at the stem bases and packaging trials. Every step required meticulous attention to ensure that the flowers retained their natural colour and freshness until the presentation ceremony.
Alongside preparations for the rose plant and fresh flowers, the participating organisations coordinated plant quarantine procedures, transport schedules, reception arrangements and post-transport care to help the flowers recover after the journey. Introductory materials, photographs and care instructions were also prepared to help the recipients learn more about the rose variety and its place of origin, Sa Pa. The gift was therefore the culmination of a series of interconnected efforts: growers preserved the flower stock, technical staff carefully handled each stem, relevant authorities provided guidance on regulatory procedures, and diplomatic contacts coordinated the handover.
After travelling nearly 10,000 km, the roses are carefully rearranged before being presented to the Belgian Royal Family.
The basket of ancient Sa Pa roses presented at the meeting on October 23, 2026 served as a testament to these quiet, dedicated efforts. From the gardens in Vietnam, a rose variety cherished and preserved by generations of growers had found its place at a high-level diplomatic event, bringing with it the beauty and story of its homeland. For those involved in the preparations, it was a source of joy and pride to see their research, conservation and care contribute to such a meaningful occasion.
The journey from Vietnam to Belgium demonstrated how the value of flowers and ornamental plants was enriched by cultural significance and their power to bring people together. Bearing the name of Sa Pa, the roses offered international friends an elegant greeting from Vietnam. Carefully nurtured at every stage of the journey, this floral gift conveyed the hope that the friendship between Vietnam and Belgium would continue to flourish and endure through the years.