Messenger of Spring

To Day - this familiar 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 areas where the flowers bloom earliest. 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 wearing pink clothes, dispelling the cold sadness of winter. The flower patches blooming next to houses or on both sides of the road are like romantic movies that captivate visitors.

Notably, there are ancient peach trees over 20m high with wide canopy, bearing a strong character, defying 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 colorful flowers, seen from above like a pink silk strip flowing across 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. The To Day flower blooms 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 Khen tunes, the bustling flute sounds and go to the village to play Pao throwing.

Heritage Magazine