When the Bombax flowers bloom

BHG - As March arrives, amidst the crisp coolness of late spring, the Dong Van Karst Plateau enters a season of vibrant kapok blossoms. Along the winding roads, amidst the towering mountains, the ancient kapok trees burst forth in red, like blazing torches against the deep blue sky.

BHG - As March arrives, amidst the crisp coolness of late spring, the Dong Van Karst Plateau enters a season of vibrant kapok blossoms. Along the winding roads, amidst the towering mountains, the ancient kapok trees burst forth in red, like blazing torches against the deep blue sky.

Upon arriving in this land, one is easily captivated by the wild, majestic beauty of nature and the simple, genuine nature of its people. The rocky plateau – a name that inherently evokes aridity and ruggedness – holds countless wonders. Each season has its own charm, each moment of the year possessing its own unique character and nostalgia. But perhaps, when the Bombax ceiba flowers bloom, this place truly transitions from spring to summer, taking on a special appearance that is both wild and romantic, yet tinged with a sense of longing.

Kapok flowers (cotton trees) are in full bloom along the road connecting four highland districts of Ha Giang province. Photo: Vien Su

Following the Happiness Road up to Quan Ba, Yen Minh, and then further north to Dong Van and Meo Vac, this season always brings glimpses of "flames" swaying in the wind amidst the endless mountains and forests. Following the romantic Nho Que River winding at the foot of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, you'll encounter ancient kapok trees growing interspersed among small villages. No one knows when they originated, only that year after year, around the end of March, the kapok flowers silently bloom, dyeing entire forest slopes red and reflecting their image in the clear, turquoise water!

Elderly people of the Mong, Tay, and Dao ethnic groups in the rocky plateau region often tell their children and grandchildren stories about this tree. For them, the kapok flower is not only a sign of the changing seasons, but also linked to distant memories of nomadic life and the arduous days in the mountains. They believe that each falling kapok flower is a soul of a deceased person returning, a reminder of their roots and the ancestors who were deeply connected to this land. Because of this, during the kapok flowering season, the atmosphere here seems to slow down. The highland markets become more bustling, people visit each other more often, and the glowing fires in the traditional houses feel warmer than ever. Children eagerly pick up the red petals scattered along the paths, while the elderly sit by their doors, silently gazing at the flowers and reminiscing about their youth.

Standing before an ancient kapok tree bursting with "fiery blossoms" amidst the vast sky and majestic mountains, one feels more acutely the heartbeat of nature, the land, and the people of this place. The kapok blossoms silently bloom to ignite a vibrant summer, igniting dreams of a bright future.

In March, the kapok flowers bloom on the Dong Van Karst Plateau, bringing with them stories, memories, and emotions that are difficult to name. Anyone who has ever visited the Dong Van Karst Plateau during the kapok flower season will surely never forget that red color – the red of time, of the enduring years that nature has bestowed upon this land.

Lau Sua Giang

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202504/khi-hoa-gao-no-5d632b6/