Little-known hundred-year-old plum forest is in full bloom

Plum blossoms bloom white in a forest

From Hanoi, we have another appointment to the Northwest to explore new lands. Not only does it have majestic landscapes and beautiful nature, the Northwest is also known as the land of flowers. Tourists are very familiar with the wild beauty of flowers in the mountains and forests such as: Ban flowers, Apricot flowers, Peach flowers, Bauhinia flowers, Buckwheat flowers... and especially plum flowers.

Not Moc Chau with its vast plum blossom forests, this time, our destination was Xim Vang commune, Bac Yen district, Son La. After a journey of more than 230 km from Hanoi, we arrived at the center of Ta Xua commune, Bac Yen. We stayed overnight at Ta Xua tourist center, and the next morning everyone woke up early to start the journey to Xim Vang commune.

The 17km long road winds along the towering mountain slopes, giving visitors a feeling of being overwhelmed. Standing on the mountain peak to admire the view, everyone gasped when seeing a forest covered in white plum blossoms.

The smoke from the Mong houses hidden among the plum blossoms makes the landscape both beautiful and full of human warmth. Asking some people who work in the fields, they directed us to Xim Vang village, Xim Vang commune - where the ancient plum trees are blooming with the most beautiful flowers.

Some Mong houses in the plum blossom area

The winding slopes like giant snakes lead people to Xim Vang village. Nearly 100% of the people in the village are Mong people. Their lives are still peaceful with daily chores as usual. Some go to the fields, others stay home to raise chickens and pigs, and children innocently play on the porch, in the corner of the yard... But in the space of plum blossoms, that simple scene is strangely beautiful.

Turning into a couple of houses to find some conversation to get acquainted, we were warmly welcomed by the locals, although their Kinh language was a bit difficult to understand. The children were shy but quite curious when they saw the ladies and gentlemen holding up cameras and smartphones to take pictures.

We were quite lucky to have a conversation with Mr. Hang A Cu (47 years old), a son born and raised in Xim Vang village, who is very knowledgeable about this land. Mr. Cu said that this is the village with the most ancient plum trees in the area. Hundreds of plum trees are more than a century old. Many trees are too old and barren to bear flowers and fruit, so the villagers have cut them down.

According to Mr. Cu, the interesting and different thing is that this Mong plum variety is not grown from seeds, nor grafted, but all are grown from roots. The hundreds of years old plum trees die, and then from the roots grow new plum trees.

Daily, simple life still takes place under plum blossom season

According to the locals, depending on the weather, plum blossoms bloom early or late. Early years, the flowers bloom on the occasion of Lunar New Year. Late years, the flowers bloom 1-2 months after Tet. This year, we were quite lucky because we left more than 1 month after Lunar New Year and still encountered the most beautiful blooming of the ancient Xim Vang plum blossoms.

We parked our car at a local house and started to wander around the village. Ancient plum trees with a diameter of 40-50cm were planted right next to the house. Many ancient plum trees were paid 5-10 million VND by tree enthusiasts, but the villagers did not sell them. The local government is encouraging people to plant more plum trees to create landscapes and promote tourism...

Many old plum trees grow tall on the roof and spread out many branches from the trunk. The flowers on the old plum trees bloom pure white, showing off their own pure, pristine beauty amidst the clouds of the Northwest.

People walked from the concreted section to the dirt roads, winding up and down..., but they could see the colors of the flowers and smell their fragrance, so no one felt tired.

Every time you pass a house, you are warmly invited in by the host. Life in the highlands is still difficult, but visitors will feel the warmth of humanity and hospitality when they come here.

More than a month after Tet, the plum forest in this area is still full of flowers.

Xim Vang is becoming a favorite destination for tourists, especially backpackers. This place has breathtakingly beautiful terraced fields and in September - October, there are impressive waterfalls...

One thing to note is that tourism services here are still in their infancy, almost nothing. If visitors need to sleep, have a decent homestay... they can choose the tourist center in Ta Xua commune. However, visitors can also ask to stay overnight in Xim Vang in Mong households to feel the rusticity and simplicity.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/rung-man-tram-tuoi-it-nguoi-biet-toi-dang-mua-khoe-sac-185230314095550261.htm