The fairy-tale beauty of the largest ancient hawthorn forest in Vietnam

(Dan Tri) - Every March, the largest hawthorn flower forest in Vietnam in Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district ( Son La ) attracts tens of thousands of tourists.

Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District, Son La has 2,565 hectares of hawthorn trees, of which more than 1,400 hectares have produced flowers and fruits; it has been recognized as the largest hawthorn forest in Vietnam. In particular, Ngoc Chien Commune has ancient hawthorn forests hundreds of years old, showing off their pure white color every spring, spreading across the mountain slopes, surrounding the villages, creating a poetic and charming landscape.

Mr. Luong Van Xien, Director of Ngoc Chien Community Tourism Cooperative, said that from the end of February, when the earth and sky enter spring, the hawthorn flowers begin to bloom. By mid-March, the hawthorn flowers are at their most beautiful. In the photo is Nam Nghep village - the hawthorn flower capital in Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district with thousands of hectares of hawthorn flowers blooming.

Since the beginning of March, Nam Nghep has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to experience the hawthorn flower viewing. On March 9-10 alone, within the framework of the Hawthorn Flower Festival, this tourist destination welcomed over 10,000 visitors.

The image of pure white embracing the roofs of the Mong people halfway up the mountain impresses and holds the feet of tourists from near and far to Nam Nghep village. Just like the tourist's poem describes: "Who comes to Nam Nghep with me/ See the white hawthorn, the long road becomes near".

Hawthorn flowers are also known by another name, the flower of the hawthorn tree. When viewed closely, hawthorn flowers have 5 yellow pistils, not pure white like plums, apricots and pears, but slightly ivory white, when blooming, they form clusters of flowers that hug the rustic branches of the tree. This type of tree often grows in the northern mountainous provinces such as: Lao Cai, Yen Bai , Son La...

This year, to facilitate tourists to see hawthorn flowers, Ngoc Chien commune has established a working group to survey and select the most beautiful check-in (photo) locations for hawthorn flower forests with 10 flower viewing locations, such as: Ancient hawthorn flower garden, Ngam La residential area, A Lenh Home Stay, A Vang Home Stay, The Love Hill coffee shop... At the same time, the commune also encourages households to open more food and beverage services, rent ethnic costumes, and motorbike taxis to serve the needs of tourists.

Ms. Thu - a tourist from Thai Binh - said that this was her first time coming to Nam Nghep. Ms. Thu's group of 25 people were all excited and impressed by the pure white hawthorn forest blooming in the middle of the mountains and forests. "This is a memorable memory and I will definitely introduce the beauty of this land to many of my friends and relatives," Ms. Thu shared.

The couple from Moc Chau shared that hawthorn flowers have the same pure beauty as plum flowers in Moc Chau, but unlike plum flowers, which are concentrated in low-lying valleys, hawthorn trees in Nam Nghep can withstand the sun and wind in the highlands. For them, watching hawthorn flowers bloom from an altitude of over 2,000m is an interesting experience and they will return to Nam Nghep every blooming season.

A male tourist from Ho Chi Minh City said he learned about Nam Nghep through social media and traveled more than 2,000km to get here. "I was really overwhelmed by the scene of the hawthorn forest blooming with pure white flowers, the people here are very warm and hospitable," said this tourist.

Photo: Toan Vu