Photos

Lotus is very dear and near to Buddhism. Buddha's statues are made to sit on lotus-shaped seats. Though not a national flower, lotus has left a distinctive hallmark in the soul and life of the Vietnamese people; decorative motifs at temples, pagodas; village pagodas usually look into a lotus pond. Lotus blooms are offered to 'Buddha's and ancestors' altars. Vietnamese film prizes are named 'Gold Lotus' or 'Silver Lotus'. In daily life, lotus is used for many purposes, in traditional medicine and as food and drink.
I had no opportunity to see a pond covered by hundreds of lotus; season was over, but in Nha Trang, just in front of the main door of the Oceanographic Institute, in the center of a small pond I saw this lotus flower absolutely unique and wonderful.