Check in with the lonely mahogany tree in Bao Lac, Cao Bang.

Mac cot (or mac cop) is a fruit tree species commonly found in the mountainous provinces of northern Vietnam, especially in Nguyen Binh and Bao Lac districts ( Cao Bang province).

The white blossoms of the Mac Cot tree usually bloom in spring, resembling pear blossoms. They bloom in clusters of 3-5 flowers, covering the hillsides in a beautiful white blanket.

In Bao Lac ( Cao Bang ), the mac cot flowers bloom profusely in late February and early March, attracting many locals and tourists to visit and take photos.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Chiem (41 years old, Hanoi) and his wife, along with two college friends, took a trip to Bao Lac to "hunt" for the blooming mac cot flowers on February 25-26. The group traveled by private car, departing from Hanoi - Bac Kan - Nguyen Binh - Bao Lac (Cao Bang) from 4 PM on February 25 to 10:30 PM.

Chiêm shared: “The road from Hanoi to Bao Lac is quite long, taking about 7 hours to drive. The section from Nguyen Binh to Bao Lac is very bad, with many curves, and some sections under construction are only wide enough for one car at a time, making it very difficult for low-clearance vehicles. This is also the first time I've traveled such a challenging route.” The car stopped at a homestay in Xuan Truong commune, Bao Lac district. The group checked in and rested to prepare for waking up early the next morning to admire the scenery and take photos with the mac cot flowers.

According to Mr. Chiêm, the Mac Cot tree is located right next to the National Highway passing through Xuan Truong commune (Bao Lac district), only about 150 meters away. From afar, tourists can already see the towering tree with its canopy covered in beautiful white blossoms.

Having had breakfast and arrived early, the group decided to take a scenic drive around the nearby village, waiting for the sun to rise so they could take pictures. Around 8:00 AM, when the sun came out, the group returned to the solitary cypress tree to capture some beautiful photos there.

"Although I knew about this place three years ago and had seen many pictures of the solitary tree, it wasn't until I saw it in person that I truly appreciated its beauty. Looking at the tree, completely white with only flowers and no leaves, gave me an indescribable feeling of elation," Chiêm expressed.

Chiêm said that because it was the weekend, there were quite a lot of visitors checking in. Groups of 5-7 people lined up to take photos with the solitary, white-capped tree. At 9:00 AM, after taking pictures, the whole group set off up the pass 3km away to check in again, then returned to the homestay for lunch and rest before checking out and returning to Hanoi.

The short two-day trip left Chiêm and his friends with many emotions: “The scenery here is truly peaceful, pristine, and especially untouched by human hands. I asked the villagers, and they said it has been like this for many years. The people here are especially friendly; when we asked for directions, one old man insisted on taking us all the way there, which touched me deeply.”

After the trip, Mr. Chiêm expressed his delight and satisfaction at having fulfilled his plan to visit Cao Bằng to see the solitary Mac Cot tree, a dream he had cherished for three years. At the end of the journey, he advised tourists against driving there at night because the roads are very dangerous. On the return trip, visitors can choose a different, easier route to ensure their safety and avoid accidents.

Laodong.vn