A conference to choose a species of flower that represents the country was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 16.

There will be 13 criteria required and all will apply a score of one to ten. The flower must be of Vietnamese origin or have grown in every part of the country for a very long time. It must flower around the year and reflect the country’s traditional cultural identity, spirit and will.

The national flower will be used at festivals, ceremonies and everyday life, especially in external affairs.

At an online survey, more than 40 percent of respondents want to select lotus as the national flower.