The messenger of spring

To day - this affectionate local name makes many tourists not afraid of long journeys, setting foot on the high mountains of the Northwest to immerse themselves in the "pink space" among the high mountains. Just like the apricot blossoms mentioned every spring in Da Lat, To day is considered a typical spring flower that blooms right at the end of December and New Year's Day in Mu Cang Chai.

This woody plant blooms according to its altitude distribution, usually in higher areas the flowers bloom first and the flowering season lasts until the end of Tet. Trong Tong and Trong Pao Sang villages, La Pan Tan commune, with an altitude of over 1,000m, are the earliest blooming areas. After that, visitors can enjoy the flowers in some other places such as Thao Chua Chai village in Che Cu Nha commune, or in Mo De, Nam Khat, Pung Luong, De Xu Phinh communes and stretching all the way to Lao Chai commune.

The thick flowers have 5 light pink petals with long red pistils forming large clusters that sway in the wind. The blooming season is as radiant as a princess showing off her pink dress, dispelling the cold sadness of winter. The flower patches blooming next to houses or on both sides of the road are like romantic movies, captivating tourists.

Notably, there are ancient peach trees over 20m high with wide-spreading canopies, bearing a strong character, despite the harsh weather. The blooming season also attracts photographers from all over the region to come and take pictures. Anyone who comes here for the first time is overwhelmed by the space filled with blooming flowers, seen from above like a pink silk ribbon flowing over the valley.

In addition to going to Mu Cang Chai to see the flowers, visitors can also learn about the unique traditional cultural beauty during the blooming season. The H'Mong people believe that the beauty of the To Day flower is likened to a young girl full of vitality, captivating the hearts of the young men in the village who are in love. When To Day flower blooms, it is also the happiest time for the H'Mong people to celebrate spring, when young men and women date, practice the melodious and up-and-down melodies of the panpipes, and go to the village to play the Pao throwing game.

Heritage Magazine