Excavators and workers are on the 'construction site' relocating a series of cherry blossom trees in Sa Pa.

Tourists express regret over the removal of numerous cherry blossom trees in Sa Pa. A large number of cherry blossom trees on the Oolong tea hill in Sa Pa ward have been relocated to make way for an eco-urban development project, causing regret among many tourists.

On the afternoon of December 9th, while photographing cherry blossoms at the O Long tea plantation (Sa Pa ward, Lao Cai province), photographer Bui Van Hai (36 years old, from Ho Chi Minh City) saw workers beginning to prune and uproot the cherry blossom trees. Many large excavators were leveling the land, and workers were moving the trees to clear the area for the real estate project owner.

"The regret, not only for me but also for the locals and tourists, is that they chose to relocate right when the flowers were at their most beautiful. If they had waited another 15-20 days past the flowering season, it would have been more perfect," he told Tri Thuc - Znews.

Workers uproot cherry blossom trees on December 9th.

For many years, Hai has come to Sa Pa at the end of the year to photograph cherry blossoms in the O Quy Ho area. This location is considered by photographers and tourists alike as the "symbol" of the highland flower season.

He said that this year's flowering season is the most beautiful in the last three years, with pink and red hues covering the lush green tea plantations, and the Hoang Lien Son mountain range in the distance creating a picturesque scene. However, this is also the last season he will be able to capture this beauty.

Many tree stumps have been uprooted and lined up awaiting transport. Local residents say the trees may be moved to a tea plantation in Lai Chau , but the managing company has not yet announced the official destination.

The cherry blossom trees were uprooted and are awaiting transport.

The land clearance is to serve the eco-urban area project, which is part of the zoning plan for the urban- tourism -cultural service area along the Muong Hoa Valley, and whose investment plan was approved by the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee at the end of October.

Construction work took place right when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, leaving many tourists disappointed. The tea plantation had already announced it would stop receiving visitors from the beginning of December, but some people still found their way through local gardens to admire the flowers one last time.

A tour guide in Sa Pa said that cherry blossoms begin to bloom from now until the end of the year and last for more than 20 days, attracting many tourists from mid to late month.

"The tea hill is currently under planning for a project, so tourists are temporarily not allowed in. People can go to nearby spots, such as the entrance to Khoang village, a few hundred meters from the tea hill, to visit and admire the flowers," he said.

Photographer Bui Van Hai captured the last cherry blossom season at Oolong tea hill.

Currently, the O Quy Ho area has about 1,800 cherry blossom trees. Among them, the O Long tea hill is where they are planted in long rows, creating a famous landscape when the flowers bloom in November and December each year. This location is about 8 km from the center of Sa Pa along National Highway 4D towards the O Quy Ho pass.

The cherry blossoms in this area are different from Japanese sakura. The trees have tall, straight trunks, deep pink flowers, and usually only five petals. The variety originates from China and is well-suited to the climate of Sa Pa, so it is widely planted, creating "pink forests" every year-end.

Source: https://znews.vn/may-xuc-cong-nhan-บน-cong-truong-di-doi-loat-mai-anh-dao-o-sa-pa-post1610155.html