Cultural team building is an increasingly popular way for companies to bring their teams closer together while discovering local crafts, traditions, cuisine and everyday life. Exotic Vietnam introduces Sa Dec Flower Village as a distinctive destination where local culture becomes part of a meaningful team experience.
Sa Dec is famous not only for Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, associated with L’Amant (The Lover), the renowned novel by French writer Marguerite Duras (1914-1996), but also as one of Vietnam’s major flower and ornamental plant production centres. Located in Dong Thap Province, in the Mekong Delta, Sa Dec Flower Village is centred around Tan Quy Dong, the heart of its traditional flower-growing community. It lies approximately 140–150 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, around a 2.5-hour drive depending on traffic.
1. Sa Nhien River – The Lifeline of the Flower Village
Sa Nhien River, also known locally as Sa Dec River or Sa Giang River, has long been closely connected to the daily life and trading activities of Sa Dec. As part of the Mekong Delta’s extensive river network, the 51-km river links the Mekong River with the Bassac River, facilitating the movement of goods between growing areas and regional markets.
For generations, boats have transported Sa Dec’s flowers and ornamental plants to destinations throughout the Mekong Delta and other parts of Vietnam. Abundant water for irrigation, together with favourable soil and climatic conditions, has helped nurture thriving flower gardens and shape the distinctive character of this riverside community.
More than a waterway, Sa Nhien River is an integral part of the local river culture, where the daily work of flower growers unfolds alongside the constant movement of boats.
2. A Traditional Craft Passed Down Through Generations
Flower and ornamental plant cultivation in Sa Dec has developed over many generations. Cultural exchanges during the French colonial period introduced new flower and ornamental plant varieties, enriching local cultivation and helping the industry grow.
From the late 19th to the early 20th century, pioneering growers gradually established the foundations of the flower village. Between 1930 and 1945, improvements in transportation made it easier to distribute flowers and ornamental plants, helping Sa Dec products reach markets throughout southern Vietnam.
Sa Dec is also associated with skilled horticultural artisans, including the late Tu Ton (Duong Huu Tai), who helped establish the reputation of Tu Ton Rose Garden, and Ut Hung (Nguyen Phuoc Hung), known for traditional ornamental tree shaping and bonsai. Their dedication, together with the commitment of generations of growers, has helped preserve and develop this traditional craft.
Today, Sa Dec combines inherited horticultural knowledge with modern techniques, including scientific cultivation methods, new variety development, plant tissue culture and automated irrigation. This balance between tradition and innovation helps improve product quality while preserving the identity of a century-old craft village.
3. The Distinctive Technique of Growing Flowers on Raised Platforms
One of Sa Dec Flower Village’s most distinctive features is its elevated growing platforms, arranged in neat, parallel rows. Traditionally made from bamboo, these platforms are now also constructed from durable materials such as aluminium, steel and concrete. They typically stand between 0.5 metres and over 1 metre above the ground.
This technique works well in the Mekong Delta, where water levels rise and fall with the tides. Raising the plants helps reduce the risk of flooding, improves airflow around the roots and allows better access to sunlight. It can also help limit weeds and soil-related pests, reduce the need for pesticides and make plant care and harvesting more convenient.
Beyond its practical benefits, this growing method creates a distinctive landscape. Rows of elevated flower platforms, colourful blooms reflected in the water and growers tending their gardens from small boats have become defining images of Sa Dec Flower Village.
4. Year-Round Blooms and Expanding Markets
Today, Sa Dec is one of Vietnam’s major flower and ornamental plant production centres, supporting more than 4,000 households involved in the trade. The cultivation area is reported to cover approximately 1,000 hectares, with more than 300 hectares in Tan Quy Dong alone. The village supplies over 12 million flowers and ornamental plants to the market annually.
Alongside traditional varieties, local growers and artisans continue to collect, cultivate and develop new varieties with distinctive colours, including some originally suited to cooler climates. Sa Dec is known for thousands of flower and ornamental plant varieties, including chrysanthemums, sunflowers, petunias, lisianthus, orchids and many internationally recognised rose varieties. Golden apricot trees, ornamental foliage, bonsai and sculpted fruit trees further enrich its horticultural offerings.
In addition to serving domestic demand, Sa Dec’s flower industry is gradually expanding into international markets. On 27 December 2025, Sa Dec’s flower and ornamental plant cultivation craft was recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam, acknowledging the cultural values, knowledge and techniques passed down through generations.
5. Why Sa Dec Flower Village Is a Great Place for Corporate Team Building
Sa Dec Flower Village offers a meaningful setting for exploring teamwork. Just as a thriving flower garden depends on diversity and careful coordination, a strong team values individual differences, builds on each member’s strengths and works towards a shared goal.
Activities such as transporting flower pots, arranging flowers according to a model and working together to deliver plants to the finish line help participants practise communication, task allocation and collaboration. They also offer a closer understanding of local livelihoods and the value of traditional horticulture.
Modern team building goes beyond fun and physical activities. It creates opportunities for people to build trust, understand one another and develop stronger working relationships. In Sa Dec, local crafts, people and cultural traditions provide authentic inspiration for team challenges, combining cultural discovery with meaningful team development.
6. Exotic Vietnam – Your DMC Partner for Sustainable Team Building in Vietnam
With over 10 years of experience, Exotic Vietnam is a Destination Management Company (DMC) specialising in Team Building, MICE, Incentive Travel and Corporate Events across Vietnam. We draw inspiration from local culture, landscapes, communities and traditional crafts to create distinctive, customised programmes aligned with each company’s objectives, budget and key messages.
At Sa Dec Flower Village, traditional flower cultivation, riverine life and the craftsmanship of local growers inspire team challenges that develop communication, collaboration, creativity and team spirit. Participants discover the cultural heritage of the Mekong Delta while sharing meaningful experiences that strengthen team connections.
Sustainability is at the heart of how we design our experiences. We seek to engage local communities, collaborate with local households and traditional producers, and create opportunities that support local livelihoods. By celebrating cultural heritage, respecting the environment and promoting responsible tourism, our programmes aim to generate lasting value for both businesses and the communities that welcome them.
As a local DMC, Exotic Vietnam partners with Vietnamese companies and international clients to create authentic Team Building programmes inspired by Vietnam’s cultural identity. We transform local experiences into stronger teams, meaningful connections and lasting memories, while contributing to the sustainable development of each destination.
