Photo: Admiring the purple rhododendron flowers on the Mong Cai border.

In May, the sky is clear, the sun is golden, and the hillsides of Mong Cai ( Quang Ninh ) are dyed purple by the color of sim flowers.

The myrtle tree is a woody plant native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, commonly found growing in high mountainous regions.

In Mong Cai, May is also the time when sim flowers bloom profusely in the following areas: Cultural and Sports Center, Po Hen Martyrs' Memorial, Milestone 1347 (2), Ho Dang hamlet in Po Hen village, 26 households in Than Phun Xa village, Sim Hill, Stream Waterfall…

The photo shows rows of purple rhododendron flowers in the Pò Hèn area (Hải Sơn commune, Móng Cái city).

The myrtle plant grows wild and forms bushes, looking very beautiful when in bloom. It averages about 2 meters in height, with a stem covered in short, thick hairs.

Sim flowers typically bloom in clusters of 3-4 or singly, with flower stalks ranging from 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm in length. Each flower usually has 5 oval petals, purple or pink in color, and about 5-7 mm long. After the flowers wither, they bear fruit.

The myrtle tree grows on mountains and hills, uncared for, yet thrives and flourishes, hence the myrtle flower symbolizes fidelity. The melancholic purple myrtle blossoms are likened to the love between a man and woman who, despite distance, still yearn for each other, wait, and remain faithful.

With its unique beauty, the sim flower attracts many people to admire the flowers and take commemorative photos. Dang Van Nam (Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province), who came with friends to participate in the Sim Flower Festival, shared: "We arrived here yesterday afternoon (May 19th). While on our trip to Mong Cai, we learned about the Sim Flower Festival taking place tonight, so we stopped by Hai Son commune to attend. Partly because we love the purple color of the sim flower, the whole group decided to come and explore from early morning." (Photo: Mong Cai City Portal)

Mr. Phung Van Huy, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Son commune (Mong Cai City), said that to stimulate tourism, the People's Committee of Mong Cai City organized the 2023 Border Sim Flower Festival in Hai Son commune on May 20 and 21, hoping to attract even more tourists to this area.

Laodong.vn