Mr. Le Huu Giap, a resident of Thuy Khue Street, stood for quite a while in front of a branch of rock peach blossoms. He said that every year, as Tet approaches, he and his wife go to the flower market to choose peach blossoms. “Of all the Tet flowers, I still like rock peach blossoms the most. The flowers are large, long-lasting, and can be enjoyed until the 15th day of the first lunar month. But more importantly, it’s the shape and the soul of the tree that matters,” Mr. Giap said, then gently touched the green moss on the branch.

Traders transport peach blossom branches to customers in time for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Bringing these peach blossom branches to the heart of Hanoi is no easy feat. Ms. Tran Anh Ly, the owner of a peach blossom branch dealership at Quang An flower market, recounts that for many years, she and her business partners have had to travel deep into border villages in provinces such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, and Tuyen Quang to purchase peach blossom branches from local farmers. “Each trip lasts a whole week. In some places, vehicles can't get in, so we have to carry each branch along the mountain slopes. Some trips bring back 50 branches, other trips only a little over 20, but everyone is happy because it's in time for customers to enjoy the Tet holiday,” Ms. Ly shared. According to her, the price of each branch ranges from several hundred thousand to several tens of millions of dong, depending on the shape, style, and age of the tree.

Mr. Le Bang Binh, a trader who has been involved with rock peach trees for many years, added in a more subdued voice: "Peach trees on rocky mountains thrive in harsh conditions! Bringing them to the city is not just about buying and selling, but about preserving the tradition of celebrating spring for the people of Hanoi." He said that each trip carrying peach trees down to the lowlands is a moment of anxiety, hoping that the branches won't break, the buds won't suffer from cold shock, so that when they reach the customers, they will still retain their natural beauty.

Hanoians who appreciate peach blossom branches are meticulous and slow-paced. Most are middle-aged or elderly, but in recent years, many young couples have also come to admire them. They stand and gaze at the branches for a long time, examining each branch segment, each bud, and the moss clinging to the trunk. Some spend an entire morning choosing a branch they like. "You can't rush choosing peach blossom branches. You have to look carefully and feel them deeply," Mr. Binh said.

The peach blossoms are a delicate pink with thick petals. They are most beautiful when the buds are a mix of large and small, and the flowers bloom evenly without being harsh. Peach blossom connoisseurs often prefer trees with a natural shape, not artificially pruned, and with strong trunks and branches. For collectors, the more mossy and weathered the peach tree is, the more valuable it becomes, as it is a sign of time and enduring vitality.

Mr. Tran Van Vinh, a resident of Hang Bong Street who has been cultivating ornamental peach blossom trees for many years, says that with each passing Tet season, he feels he learns something new from the trees. “On New Year's Eve, sitting by a teapot, looking at the mossy branches with their blossoms still in full bloom, I feel a sense of calm. Ornamental peach blossom trees seem to teach people how to endure hardship, and from there, to flourish,” he said slowly.

According to many, cultivating peach blossoms on rocky mountains is also a way to cultivate character. It teaches patience, adjustment, and appreciation for what comes from hard work. These peach branches, growing on rocky mountains and enduring wind and frost, are brought to the city just in time for spring, carrying not only the beauty of the flowers but also the resilience of the mountains and forests.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/cho-mua-xuan-ve-pho-1025855