Stepping into Nam Nghep village during the hawthorn blossom season, the first impression is one of tranquility. There's no noise, no hustle and bustle, only the refreshing mountain breeze, the clouds drifting lazily before you, and the endless stretches of hills covered in white hawthorn blossoms.
Flowers bloom against a pale blue sky, dotted with the simple wooden roofs of the Hmong people, creating a beautiful picture of the Northwest mountains and forests .
Nam Nghep currently has 135 households, 100% of whom are ethnic Mong people. Located at an altitude of 2,000-2,500m, the village is considered the highest in Vietnam and is also the "capital" of hawthorn trees , covering a total area of approximately 1,260 hectares. Of this, nearly 800 hectares are planted with ancient hawthorn trees, aged 300-500 years. These are silent "witnesses" of time, their roots clinging to the mountain rocks, enduring the sun and wind of the highlands.
The hawthorn blossoms in Nam Nghep possess a pristine beauty, somewhat resembling the plum blossoms in Moc Chau, yet with distinct differences. While plum blossoms typically bloom in low valleys, the hawthorn blossoms here burst forth on high mountain slopes and steep hillsides. The trees are tall, with wide canopies, and their flowers bloom in large clusters, covering the branches. The blossoms are creamy white, with five thin petals and prominent yellow stamens. From afar, the hawthorn trees resemble giant snowflakes amidst the vast forest.
According to Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, Chairman of the Ngoc Chien Community Tourism Cooperative, hawthorn flowers begin to bloom in February, when spring arrives in the mountains. By mid-March, the flowers are at their peak, covering the hillsides in white. "Hawthorn flowers are not flamboyant or ostentatious, but they possess a simple, rustic beauty, much like the Mong people here – resilient and strong amidst the high mountains and strong winds," Mr. Cuong shared.
Each season when the hawthorn blossoms bloom, Nam Nghep seems to put on a new coat. The rolling hills are covered in pristine white , softening the inherent harshness of the highlands. The houses of the Hmong people nestle under the hawthorn trees, as if sheltered and protected. The hawthorn tree is not only an economic crop, but also an integral part of the spiritual life, closely intertwined with the customs and traditions of the people here.
In recent years, as images of the Nậm Nghẹp hawthorn blossoms have spread on social media, more and more tourists have flocked to this highland village to experience it. To facilitate tourists, the people of Nậm Nghẹp have built "check-in" spots for viewing the flowers , and many households have opened homestays, food and beverage services, and traditional ethnic costume rentals.
Ms. Nguyen Hoai Thuong, a tourist from Quang Ninh , said that the photos of white hawthorn blossoms in the Nam Nghep forest inspired her to travel there. “It was over 500km, with some very difficult stretches of road, but when I arrived, I was truly overwhelmed. The flowers bloomed in season, the scenery was breathtaking, and the locals were warm and hospitable,” Ms. Thuong shared.
Ms. Hoai Thuong added that the road to Nam Nghep is still fraught with difficulties, but for those who love the highlands and love the hawthorn flowers, those obstacles cannot stop them from wanting to experience and explore.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/hoa-son-tra-dep-nhu-co-tich-giua-dat-troi-tay-bac-post1819982.tpo#lg=1&slide=8
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