Captivated by the beauty of bellflower blossoms.

Việt Nam•07/02/2024

– If you have the chance to visit Lang Son in the early days of the new year, you will be amazed by the vibrant beauty of the bellflower blossoms. Against the clear blue spring sky, the bellflower blossoms bloom in clusters, creating a captivating picture that enchants many.

Naturally occurring bellflower blossoms are commonly found in the Mau Son mountain region of Lang Son province.

To better understand the bellflower, we sought out researcher Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Association. Welcoming us over a warm cup of tea in the early spring, he shared: For centuries, Lang Son has been considered the land of peach blossoms, as it boasts many beautiful and precious varieties such as white, pink, faded, and seven-inch peach blossoms… In particular, the bellflower is a rare species found only in the high mountains of Mau Son. Growing and blooming in the majestic highlands, the bellflower symbolizes the land and people of Lang Son: upright, elegant, and harmoniously blending earth and sky in this border region.

The bellflower variety of Lang Son belongs to the "bellflower cherry" family, also known as the Taiwanese cherry. This cherry variety is widely distributed from southern Japan, Taiwan, southern China down to northern Laos and northern Vietnam. In Lang Son, this variety grows abundantly in the Mau Son mountain area. The Lang Son bellflower has unique characteristics, different from the "rhododendron" bellflower varieties in Ba Na ( Da Nang ) and Yen Tu (Quang Ninh). Although the flowers grow in drooping clusters like bells, the petals of the "rhododendron" bellflower are shaped like small bells, thin like glass with a pale pink color, unlike the Lang Son bellflower which has thicker, more clearly separated petals with a darker pink color. Each flower usually has 5 petals, and the bellflower's roots cling deeply to the crevices of the rocks.

With incredible vitality, the bellflower peach blossoms of Lang Son can still sprout and bloom even when the climate in the high mountains of Mau Son drops below -3 degrees Celsius. On Mau Son mountain, at an altitude of over 1,500m, the peach blossoms bloom like bells heralding the arrival of spring, swaying in the mist and mountain wind, a pure and beautiful sight. Bellflower peach blossoms bloom profusely in spring, usually from January to March of the lunar calendar, when the weather is still spring-like with lingering mist and clouds. However, in leap years, bellflower peach blossoms bloom just before Tet (Lunar New Year). It can be said that bellflower peach blossoms bloom relatively late compared to other peach blossom varieties, but perhaps it is precisely because of this late bloom that bellflower peach blossoms possess a unique and indescribable beauty.

In Lang Son, the bellflower peach blossom is mainly distributed in the two communes of Cong Son and Mau Son in Cao Loc district, and some areas of Bac Xa commune in Dinh Lap district. Mr. Trieu Sang Suan, an elderly resident of Cong Son commune, Cao Loc district, shared: "I don't know when this peach blossom species first appeared in the Mau Son mountain area. I only know that since I was a child, I've seen bellflower peach blossoms growing in the forest. Many ancient peach trees, with their lush branches and leaves, would display their vibrant colors throughout the hills and mountains every season. Later, with the development of the market economy , many people came here to exploit the wild peach trees, including the bellflower peach trees of Mau Son, so now this type of peach blossom is not as abundant as before."

Because of the unique characteristics of this peach blossom variety, during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), not only people in Lang Son but also people in other provinces want to own a branch of bell-shaped peach blossoms to display. Because of its rarity, a branch of bell-shaped peach blossoms sells for 3 to 4 times the price of pink or light pink peach blossoms. This has led to some people illegally exploiting this rare wild peach blossom variety.

Faced with this situation, local authorities and relevant agencies have implemented numerous solutions to preserve this precious bell peach variety. Specifically, in 2018, the Institute for Regional Research and Development conducted research and development on bell peach trees. Since its implementation, the research team has carried out experiments on 1,500 trees, including: propagating bell peaches using asexual propagation techniques such as grafting; and establishing a propagation model with 3,500 seedlings grown from seeds. After 5 years of seedling cultivation, the project's nursery has successfully propagated approximately 3,000-4,000 young bell peach trees annually. These seedlings are then planted and propagated in the Mau Son mountain region, Cao Loc and Loc Binh districts, and several communes in Dinh Lap district, thereby making a significant contribution to the preservation of this valuable peach variety.

Lang Son bellflower

Along with relevant agencies, the Party committees and local authorities in areas where these rare peach varieties are grown have also implemented many practical solutions. Mr. Trieu Tien Truong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Cong Son commune, Cao Loc district, said: "In recent years, the commune's Party committee and government have coordinated with specialized agencies to preserve the ancient peach varieties in the area, including the bell peach variety. Accordingly, our area has received technology transfer, technical training, and fertilizer support from functional units. In addition, to avoid indiscriminate exploitation of peach trees, we have actively propagated and raised awareness among the people in the area about protecting and harvesting peach blossoms using proper techniques, as well as expanding models of growing ancient and bell peach trees in the area."

Thanks to the attention of the local Party committee and government, the ancient peach orchards in the area have begun to be protected and developed for tourism. Specifically, there are currently 6 families in the commune offering experiential tourism and photography services in these ancient peach orchards.

The allure of the bellflower trees on Mau Son mountain captivates many visitors from afar, who seek every way to come and admire them to their heart's content. Nguyen Khac Minh, a tourist from Hanoi, said: "Every spring, I come to Mau Son mountain to 'hunt' for beautiful photos of the flowers, especially the moment when the bellflowers are in full bloom."

Mr. Phan Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "To develop the value of peach blossoms and create a highlight in spring celebrations to attract tourists, in recent years, in addition to encouraging, motivating and honoring peach blossom growers, we have made many efforts to promote the image of Lang Son peach blossoms as well as build tourism products to attract tourists to the locality through peach blossom festivals."

Accordingly, the image of the bellflower is actively promoted through several activities in the annual peach blossom festival, such as: introducing the beauty of bellflowers through cultural and artistic performances; tours to visit natural peach orchards in the Mau Son mountain region; displaying bellflowers at the peach blossom festival, etc. In addition, the Provincial Tourism Promotion Center has created videos; printed and distributed thousands of promotional publications about tourism, incorporating the promotion of the beauty of Lang Son's peach blossoms, including the beauty of bellflowers.

A new year has arrived, and the bellflower blossoms signal a new spring, full of abundance and fulfillment. Preserving and promoting these bellflower trees not only gradually creates a positive impression on distant visitors with their unique and striking beauty, but also plays a crucial role in helping the "bellflower of Lang Son" brand reach further.

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