Tourists go hunting for hawthorn blossoms and enjoy a relaxing dinner under a century-old tree.

Located at an altitude of 2,500m, Nam Nghiep is the highest village in Vietnam. The village has 135 households with 100% of the population being Mong ethnic people.

Thanks to its favorable climate, Nam Nghiep has become a "paradise" for hawthorn trees, also known as wild apples. The total area planted with hawthorn trees reaches over 1,200 hectares, of which 800 hectares are occupied by ancient trees aged 300-500 years.

Hawthorn blossoms begin to bloom from the end of February and are at their peak in March. At first glance, they look quite similar to plum blossoms. The flowers are ivory white, with five petals and a yellow pistil, blooming in fluffy clusters like clouds. Not flashy or colorful, hawthorn possesses a simple, unpretentious beauty, shy yet with a touch of wildness, like the mountains and forests and the resilient, persistent Hmong people who have clung to the forests and mountains for generations.

The hawthorn season only lasts for a short time each year, so many tourists take advantage of the peak blooming period to "hunt" for the flowers. From the beginning of March until now, Nam Nghiep has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors.

This year, to facilitate flower viewing for tourists, Ngoc Chien commune has established a working group to survey, select, and develop nearly 10 of the most beautiful hawthorn flower garden "check-in" spots. At the same time, the local government is encouraging households to open additional services such as food and beverage outlets, homestays, rental of traditional ethnic costumes, tents, and motorbike taxis to cater to the needs of tourists.

Taking advantage of the "escape" from the dust of the city, Ms. Hoang My Hanh ( Hanoi ) and her friends had a 2-day, 1-night experience trip to Nam Nghiep.

“My trip was quite spontaneous and unplanned, so I couldn't book a homestay on the weekend because they were fully booked; I had to go on a weekday. Currently, there are 6 households offering homestays and a cafe on the hilltop for watching the sunset in the village. However, it's still not enough to meet the demand from tourists at this time. As far as I know, all 6 homestays are fully booked for weekends until the end of April,” Ms. My Hanh shared.

Ms. Hanh also mentioned that the road to the village is currently still unpaved, so cars cannot reach the village. Tourists can hire motorbike taxis or travel in pickup trucks, SUVs, etc.

Despite her short stay, Ms. My Hanh still got to experience many interesting activities. “I think tourists here have many options depending on their preferences and fitness level. The most relaxing option is walking around the village, admiring the hawthorn groves in full bloom with white flowers, and taking photos for social media. But I think photos can't capture the beauty of this place; it's much more beautiful in real life.”

The village also has a stream and a hilltop cafe with panoramic views. If you're fitter, you can book a local guide to hike up Ta Dong mountain in the morning and return the same day, or an overnight tour on Ta Chi Nhu peak with a porter, food, and camping equipment. The next day, you can go down to Ngoc Chien commune and travel to Luot village to bathe in natural hot springs and relax your feet.

What impressed Ms. Hanh the most was dinner by a Hmong campfire under a 100-year-old hawthorn tree. Amidst the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, the flickering flames, the swaying branches of flowers in the cool breeze, the faint scent of flowers, or the rich aroma of grilled meat, visitors could sit, eat, chat with friends, and let their minds wander in simple serenity – moments that captivated everyone.”

“I was quite impressed with how the village is doing tourism during this trip. Although it's just starting out, the people here, especially the young people, have very good thinking skills, work systematically, and are very united. They know how to use social media to promote their village. They are very proud that more and more tourists are coming here, and their income from tourism is much higher than from farming,” Ms. Hanh shared.