Experience admiring hawthorn flowers - "beautiful as a fairy tale" in Son La

Located at an altitude of more than 2,000m above sea level, Ban Nam Nghep (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district, Son La province) is considered the "capital" of hawthorn. This land owns thousands of hectares of hawthorn trees, of which about 800 hectares are old trees, creating a poetic natural landscape every blooming season. This is not only a place to provide quality hawthorn but also becomes an attractive destination for tourists who love to explore the wild beauty of the Northwest mountains and forests. When traveling to the Northwest, visit Son La to experience this beautiful hawthorn flower forest.

1. The hawthorn forest is as beautiful as a surreal painting.

Camping in Nam Nghiep, watching hawthorn flowers in full bloom (Photo source: Collected)

Hawthorn flowers, also known as hawthorn flowers, have a pure yet captivating beauty. This flower has five small petals, yellow pistils, and a gentle ivory white color, completely different from the pure white color of plum, apricot or pear flowers. When blooming, the flowers form clusters that cover the rough branches, creating a poetic scene in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.

Hawthorn trees grow abundantly in the highland provinces such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai , Son La, etc. In particular, when coming to Ngoc Chien commune during the blooming season, visitors can not only immerse themselves in the brilliant natural scenery but also have the opportunity to experience hawthorn flowers in the framework of the traditional festival. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique cultural space of the Thai and Mong people, enjoy the graceful dances and the melodious sounds of the Mong flute, creating a vibrant and attractive atmosphere.

The hawthorn flower festival is held annually, becoming an event that is highly anticipated by locals and visitors from near and far. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy the experience of viewing hawthorn flowers, the festival is also an opportunity to learn about local cultural identity. From folk games, culinary competitions to booths displaying agricultural products, OCOP, all create a lively space, bringing unforgettable memories to visitors when setting foot in this majestic mountainous region.

2. The ideal time to experience viewing hawthorn flowers

Hawthorn flowers usually bloom around March and last until early April, depending on weather conditions. If spring has a lot of sunshine and little rain, this will be the ideal time for visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. During this time, hawthorn flowers cover the hills and mountains in white, creating a poetic scene, suitable for tourism and photography activities.

3. Unique points when experiencing hawthorn flowers

Visit Nam Nghiep village to see Son Tra flower season (Photo source: Collected)

3.1. Check-in in the middle of the hawthorn flower forest

In the past, hawthorn trees grew naturally on mountain slopes, but today, this tree not only brings economic value from its fruit but also contributes to promoting community tourism. Ngoc Chien Commune, known as the "fairyland" of the Northwest, has invested in developing tourist attractions, giving visitors the opportunity to experience viewing hawthorn flowers at the most beautiful locations. Currently, there are about 10 outstanding check-in points such as: Ancient hawthorn flower garden, Ngam La residential area, A Lenh homestay, A Vang homestay, or The Love Hill cafe - an ideal place to sip drinks while admiring the vast flower forest.

In addition, local authorities also encourage people to expand tourism services such as dining, ethnic costume rental, and motorbike taxi tours, helping tourists have the most complete experience.

3.2. Immerse yourself in the local cultural space

Not only stopping at enjoying the natural scenery, visitors to Ngoc Chien during the hawthorn flower season also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique cultural space of the Thai and Mong ethnic groups. The graceful xoè dances, the sound of the Mong flute echoing throughout the mountains and forests or folk games will bring a vivid and unforgettable experience.

In particular, the annual Hawthorn Flower Festival has become a tourist highlight, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign visitors. This is not only an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of hawthorn flowers but also an opportunity to explore cuisine, learn about OCOP agricultural products and cultural exchanges with local people.

If you love nature and want to find a trip that is both relaxing and rich in cultural experiences, the journey to see the hawthorn flowers in Ngoc Chien is definitely an option not to be missed. With beautiful scenery, unique indigenous culture and many attractive activities, this will be an ideal destination for those who want to explore the beauty of the Northwest in spring.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/trai-nghiem-ngam-hoa-son-tra-dep-nhu-co-tich-o-son-la-v16722.aspx