Messenger of Spring

Spring always arrives early in the highlands of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province, along with a special messenger: the wild peach blossom, also known as "to day" in the H'Mong language. "To Day" - this endearing local name entices many tourists to brave the long journeys to the high mountains of Northwest Vietnam to immerse themselves in the "pink space" amidst the towering peaks. Just like the cherry blossoms mentioned every time spring arrives in Da Lat, the "to day" tree is considered a characteristic spring-announcing flower that blooms precisely at the end of December and around the New Year in Mu Cang Chai. This woody tree's flowering pattern varies depending on altitude; typically, in higher altitudes, the flowers bloom earlier and the flowering season lasts until the end of the Lunar New Year. The villages of Trống Tông and Trống Páo Sang in La Pán Tẩn commune, located at an altitude of over 1,000m, are the areas where the flowers bloom earliest. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy the flowers in other places such as Thào Chua Chải village in Chế Cu Nha commune, or in the communes of Mồ Dề, Nậm Khắt, Púng Luông, Dế Xu Phình, and extending all the way to Lao Chải commune. The thick-flowered bougainvillea has five pale pink petals with long red stamens, forming large clusters that sway in the wind. When in bloom, it's as radiant as a princess in a pink gown, dispelling the cold and gloom of winter. The patches of flowers blooming beside houses or along roadsides are like scenes from romantic films, captivating visitors. Notably, there are ancient wild peach trees over 20 meters tall with wide canopies, possessing a resilient character that withstands harsh weather conditions. The flowering season also attracts photographers from all over to capture stunning images. Anyone visiting for the first time is overwhelmed by the space filled with blooming flowers, which, viewed from above, resembles a pink silk ribbon flowing across the valley. Besides visiting Mu Cang Chai to admire the flowers, tourists can also learn about the unique traditional cultural features during the flowering season. The H'Mong people believe that the beauty of the "to day" flower is like a vibrant young woman, captivating the hearts of the young men in the village who are in love. The blooming of the wild jasmine flowers coincides with the most joyful spring festival for the Hmong people, when young men and women hẹn hò (date), practice the melodious tunes of the khene (bamboo flute) and the lively sounds of the flute, and gather in the village to play pao ( a traditional Hmong game).