Storm knocks down famous purple phoenix tree in Da Lat, tourists feel regretful

(Dan Tri) - After the storm, the purple phoenix tree on the shore of Xuan Huong Lake fell down, tourists expressed regret because this is a famous check-in spot, associated with the memories of many people.

On the morning of November 7, as usual, while jogging across Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat, photographer Truong Ngoc Thuy was startled to see a purple phoenix tree uprooted after storm No. 13.

Mr. Thuy has lived and worked in Da Lat for 15 years, and has been attached to the purple phoenix flower tree for more than a decade. Because he lives nearby, he passes by the area where the phoenix tree is rooted every day, witnessing its changes over time.

Purple royal poinciana tree by Xuan Huong Lake was knocked down (Photo: Truong Ngoc Thuy).

In Da Lat, there are other purple royal poinciana trees, but for Mr. Thuy, the one in Xuan Huong Lake is the most attractive because of its "strange posture". While most purple royal poinciana trees have a straight posture reaching up to the sky, this one has large branches that lean down to the water, creating a poetic and romantic scene.

"A heavy storm knocked down the tree, and I lost part of my memory. Almost all tourists who come to Xuan Huong Lake come to take pictures with it. But after the storm, half of the tree was uprooted and the canopy fell onto the lake surface," he described.

Purple royal poinciana trees by Xuan Huong Lake attract tourists to take photos when visiting Da Lat (Photo: Truong Ngoc Thuy).

The purple phoenix flower tree is over 10m tall, with a trunk diameter of about 40cm-50cm. Every year, the flower season usually blooms from March to April, unlike the red phoenix flower which only blooms in the summer. The best time to take pictures is usually at dawn when the morning mist has not yet completely dissipated and the space is airy in the cold weather of the highlands.

The photographer said that there were years when the cherry blossom season had just ended and the purple phoenix flowers began to bloom. The purple color of the flowers was both gentle and romantic, creating a special highlight of the spring sky in Da Lat.

A former telecommunications engineer before pursuing a full-time career as a photographer, Mr. Thuy confided that his love for Da Lat is his greatest inspiration. Among them, the purple phoenix flower tree is not only the place where he took thousands of pictures, but also became his companion for a long time.

The dreamy beauty of the tree in the romantic weather of the city of thousands of flowers (Photo: Truong Ngoc Thuy).

On some travel forums, the image of the purple phoenix tree being knocked down after the storm also made many locals and tourists express regret.

"This used to be a familiar check-in spot for me and my friends when we went to Xuan Huong Lake. The royal poinciana tree is also a landmark, a meeting place whenever we need to meet. In the memories of Da Lat people, that purple color will always be intact," said Ms. Dinh Thi Thuy, a resident of Lam Vien ward.

"I used to date my ex-lover under this purple phoenix flower tree. It's like a milestone that witnessed so many memories, smiles and unfinished love affairs. Now hearing the news, I feel very regretful," Thanh Binh shared.

Purple flowers fall all over the tree (Photo: Truong Ngoc Thuy).

Meanwhile, tourists who have come here to take pictures also expressed nostalgia.

Ms. Quynh Nhu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said that last April, she and her group of friends came to Da Lat right when the flowers were in full bloom, so they did not miss this moment. The visitor did not expect that it would also be her last image with the royal poinciana tree - once considered one of the symbols of the "city of thousands of flowers".

The purple phoenix flowers were brought from Europe to Da Lat by engineer Luong Van Sau in 1962. These were the first purple phoenix flowers planted in the city. Later, they were multiplied and planted in many areas.

Royal poinciana belongs to the chili family, has leaves and stem shape similar to Royal poinciana (red flowers) but tubular flowers have beautiful purple color, long become romantic symbol of "city of love".

Some places for tourists to take beautiful photos of royal poinciana flowers are located in the central area such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Tran Phu, Hoang Van Thu, Hai Ba Trung streets, around Xuan Huong Lake. Some other routes are Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Pham Hong Thai, Cong Doan hotel campus, Truc Tam Zen Monastery, SOS Children's Village.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/bao-quat-do-cay-phuong-tim-noi-tieng-da-lat-du-khach-tiec-ngan-ngo-20251109233954627.htm