This orchid species possesses an exceptionally rare beauty, making it highly sought after by orchid enthusiasts everywhere. This flower is the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid (scientific name: Paphiopedilum vietnamense).
According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid is an endemic species that only grows in Vietnam, with no other occurrences worldwide.
The delicate beauty of the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid attracts many admirers. (Photo: Eric Hunt/Orchidphotos).
With fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild, the 2014 IUCN Red List classified the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid as CR – Critically Endangered. This status indicates that the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid is at an extremely high risk of becoming completely extinct in the wild in the near future.
Due to the extreme rarity of this orchid species, many people claim that even a ‘mountain of money’ cannot purchase it, as the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid is under stringent protection from the government.
Risking Everything for the “Unique” Orchid in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the only province where the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid is found is Thai Nguyen Province (specifically in Dong Hy District). Data from VNCreatures indicates that the Paphiopedilum vietnamense belongs to the Orchidaceae family, Orchidales order, and terrestrial orchid class. This orchid blooms from March to April each year, with flower clusters having stems that can reach 15 – 25 cm in length, bearing a single flower.
According to biologists, the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid grows at an altitude of approximately 550 meters above sea level, with a very scattered area of occupancy (EOO) estimated to be around 10 square kilometers.
The Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid measures from 15 to 25 cm. (Photo: Worranittha Koenig/Orchidroots).
Notably, this herbaceous plant grows in extremely rugged locations, such as in crevices or moist hollows on vertical cliffs hundreds of meters high near mountain peaks within dense, evergreen, moist primary forests; or on eroded crystalline limestone mountain ranges.
With its delicate, unusual beauty, large flowers (ranging from 10 to 12 cm wide) in various colors (from white to purple-pink) and durability, the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid has become an incredibly attractive flower for international orchid enthusiasts.
With its many exquisite colors, the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid captivates many orchid enthusiasts. (Photo: Worranittha Koenig/Orchidroots).
Consequently, a number of individuals have risked their lives to collect this “unique” orchid species in Vietnam for profit. The rampant and indiscriminate harvesting (even of young plants) for illegal trade has put this flower at a high risk of extinction.
A Strictly Protected Orchid by the IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid to be extremely rare globally, akin to a “treasure of the forest.”
The population of Paphiopedilum vietnamense has significantly decreased over recent decades, and this downward trend continues due to the ongoing loss of its habitat, rampant harvesting, and the deterioration of its living conditions. The number of mature individuals is fewer than 50, with a population decline of over 95% in the last three generations.
The Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid blooms from March to April each year. (Photo: Manote Quahphanit/Orchidroots).
Due to the imminent risk of complete extinction in the wild, the Vietnamese Lady’s Slipper Orchid is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Furthermore, the orchid is also protected by the government. On March 30, 2006, the government issued Decree No. 32/2006/ND-CP on the management of endangered, precious, and rare forest plants and animals, classifying the Lady’s Slipper Orchid into GROUP I: Forest plants and animals prohibited from exploitation and use for commercial purposes. Any act of collection or destruction is illegal, as stated by Vanban.chinhphu.vn.
In addition to habitat protection, the IUCN encourages all conservation activities such as artificial breeding, seed collection, and population monitoring to strive towards conserving this rare orchid species from the threat of permanent extinction.
