Flower season on the mountain

Hawthorn blossoms blanket the sky over Lung Cung in white.

Overwhelmed by a field of white flowers

After traversing the winding mountain pass, we arrived at the center of Nam Co commune before dawn. We arrived earlier than expected, but Mr. Ho A Hong – Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union and Head of the Cooperative for transporting tourists to conquer Lung Cung mountain – was enthusiastically waiting to welcome us. More than a dozen old Win motorcycles were arranged to take us along the nearly 10km winding road to the foot of Lung Cung mountain. Amidst the noise of the motorcycles and the howling wind, Mr. Ho A Hong recounted: "Lung Cung is over 2,913 meters above sea level. The name of this mountain peak is linked to a legend about a sacred land, where heaven and earth meet, where our Mong people entrust their dreams and beliefs for a prosperous life. The Mong people believe that Lung Cung is their ancestral land; when someone dies, the guiding song must lead their soul to this land, and only then can they ascend to heaven."

Perhaps this sacred land possesses a mystical charm that captivates the heart from the very first glance. Every road, every bend we took seemed to lead us to a small, poetic corner. All of this fueled a powerful excitement for the amazing journey of discovery ahead. There are many routes to conquer Lung Cung, but the most popular are the three main routes starting from the villages of Thao Chua Chai, Lung Cung, and Nam Co. Each route offers a unique experience, sometimes winding through lush green bamboo forests, other times meandering through slopes of golden-yellow grass bathed in the setting sun. Those who have been here all share the sentiment that just one visit is enough to leave a lasting impression, a longing to return.

Our group arrived at the foot of Lung Cung mountain just as the morning light was breaking. A vast expanse of pure white hawthorn blossoms, like thin clouds drifting across the ground, created a breathtaking scene. The hazy morning mist gradually lifted, reflecting off each petal, creating a magical, shimmering landscape. In that very moment, visitors not only get to admire a stunning natural masterpiece but also deeply feel the breath of life, the resilience, and the vibrant energy of the people and the land in this high mountain region.

The gentle scent of the forest, like an invisible hand, guided us along the winding path, through the meandering turns amidst the vast sea of hawthorn blossoms. Deep inside the village, we were greeted with warm hospitality by the locals. Their kind smiles and sincere invitations made everyone feel a sense of closeness and familiarity, as if they were old friends reunited after a long time.

By the flickering firelight, we sometimes listened to the locals sharing age-old stories, and other times swayed to the melodious sounds of the bamboo flute and the love songs echoing through the mountains. Sipping on the strong, spicy hawthorn wine, savoring the meticulously pounded rice cake, and enjoying a piece of fragrant grilled chicken, each person felt the essence of the mountain region even more deeply. The aroma of the hawthorn wine spread across our tongues, warming our chests, blending with the chewy texture of the rice cake and the rich flavor of the chicken… all creating a rustic yet captivating feast.

The next morning, leaving the village, we continued our journey to conquer the summit of Lung Cung. The higher we climbed, the more magically the scenery transformed. Ancient forests covered in moss, patches of reeds swaying in the wind, and small streams winding through rocky crevices painted a captivating picture of pristine nature. Occasionally, we spotted birds soaring across the deep blue sky.

Mr. Ho A Hong - Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of the commune, Head of the Cooperative Group for transporting tourists to conquer Lung Cung (seated) leads a group of tourists to conquer the summit of Lung Cung mountain.

Upon reaching the highest point of Lung Cung peak, the entire group erupted in joy. Before our eyes, a sea of clouds swirled, embracing the distant mountain peaks, creating a breathtaking scene. Standing amidst that vast expanse, each person paused for a moment, as if to engrave the beautiful and majestic image of the sky and earth into their hearts, so that even after leaving, they would forever cherish and remember this emotionally charged journey in the wilderness.

Flower season - season of abundance

The Mong people of Lung Cung always cherish and nurture each flower as if caring for their dreams. The flowering season beautifies the landscape, bringing joy and vitality to this barren land amidst towering mountains. And thanks to these seasons of blossoming and fruiting trees, the lives of the people become more vibrant and prosperous. For many years now, more than 3,000 hawthorn trees, aged from 4 to 70 years, have helped more than 200 households in Lung Cung village earn a decent income and escape poverty.

As one of the households with a large hawthorn plantation in Lung Cung village, Mr. Thao Su Rua happily shared: "Hawthorn is a stable source of livelihood that helps improve our family's life. Each hawthorn harvest brings in over 30 million VND, thanks to which the family doesn't have to worry about food and clothing, and has extra money to buy things to cover daily living expenses."

Along with enjoying the beauty of the flowering and fruiting seasons of the hawthorn tree, visitors can come to Lung Cung to admire the vibrant colors of wild peach blossoms, the red hues of maple leaves, explore the majestic mountains and forests, and gaze at the floating sea of clouds after a long and challenging journey. Lung Cung also preserves the unique cultural features of the Mong ethnic group.

Life here remains pristine and rustic, with simple wooden-roofed houses and terraced rice fields arranged like mountain ridges. Recognizing its great tourism potential, in recent years, the local government and people of Lung Cung have made many efforts to develop tourism.

Watching groups of tourists lining up to enter Lung Cung village to admire the flowers, Mr. Thao A Cu - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Co commune - said proudly: "The mountain climbing routes have been improved to create more favorable conditions for those who love exploration. The commune has mobilized the people to establish a well-organized tourism group with stable prices. In addition, the people are also actively participating in tourism, becoming enthusiastic tour guides, telling tourists about their homeland. Every year, Lung Cung welcomes hundreds of tourists to admire the flowers and experience mountain climbing."

The combined efforts of nature conservation and tourism development have helped Lung Cung become an attractive destination with its pristine natural beauty and gentle, friendly, and resilient people. However, tourism development also comes with challenges. How to preserve the unspoiled beauty of Lung Cung, protect the primary forest, and maintain its traditional cultural identity is a difficult problem to solve. The tourism boom places high demands on planning and management, avoiding overexploitation that could negatively impact nature and the lives of the local people.

Therefore, tourism development in Lung Cung needs to go hand in hand with a sustainable development strategy, in which environmental protection and the preservation of traditional culture must be prioritized. Local authorities, residents, and businesses need to cooperate closely to build eco-tourism and community-based tourism models, minimizing negative impacts on nature. In addition, raising awareness among tourists is also crucial. Activities such as guiding tourists responsibly, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly products, and introducing cultural stories associated with the land and people of the area will help tourists understand and appreciate the values that Lung Cung possesses.

Lung Cung remains quietly nestled amidst the vast forest, awaiting the footsteps of explorers from all directions. The hawthorn blossom season will pass, but the echoes of our wanderings here will forever remain in our hearts. It's a memory of an emotionally charged journey, the pristine white of the blossoms, and the story of the genuine and warm-hearted people of the highlands.

Le Thuong

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/215/348075/Mua-hoa-tren-nui.aspx