Spring Journey

The early days of the new year mark the most significant period of natural change. The cold winter, with its bare, leafless branches, gradually fades away. After the spring rains, vibrant green shoots, interspersed with tiny flower buds, will soon sprout from those dry branches. Everything seems to be reborn after a long winter's sleep. Countless flowers bloom everywhere. Join Heritage Magazine in admiring the spring blossoms on a journey through the valleys of the northern mountains.

The earliest to bloom is the "tớ dày" flower – a species with five pale pink petals and a long red pistil, clustered together in large bunches on tall trees. This flower symbolizes vibrant life because it only blooms in harsh weather; the colder the temperature, the more vivid the color. The blooming of these flowers signals the arrival of the H'Mông New Year, usually about a month before the Lunar New Year. In Mù Cang Chải, Yên Bái , vast stretches of these flower forests extend across the communes of Mồ Dề, Chế Cu Nha, Dế Xu Phình, Nậm Khắt, etc., with the highest concentration in La Pán Tẩn.

In late January and early February, as the weather becomes less dry and warmer, the plum blossom valleys in Moc Chau plateau begin to bloom simultaneously. The plum trees here don't grow sparsely but densely together, so when they bloom, the entire area is covered in an endless white carpet, stretching from one hillside to another valley. The plum blossoms form thick clusters, their delicate petals embracing the yellow pistils. After about two weeks, they fall in the wind, leaving behind pretty, tender green fruit. Many places boast beautiful plum blossoms, such as Tan Lap, Phieng Canh, Na Ka, Ban Ang, Van Ho, Ba Phach... but in recent years, Mu Nau has become the most beautiful and pristine plum blossom valley in Moc Chau. After traversing many dangerous mountain passes, the valley, blanketed in white plum blossoms, appears at an altitude of over 1,000m above sea level. The plum blossoms here are considered to bloom more evenly than in the valleys below, with many ancient plum orchards planted on the mountain slopes, interspersed with mossy rocks, ancient cliffs, and primeval forests.