Go to the West to see water hyacinth flowers dyeing the pond banks purple

Water hyacinth pond blooming along National Highway N2B, Lap Vo district, Dong Thap province - Photo: DANG TUYET

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that floats on the water surface and often gathers in clusters in ponds or drifts on rivers, canals, and streams.

The water hyacinth flowers are light purple, each branch has many flowers, each flower has six petals but only one petal has a yellow dot on a dark purple background in the middle, the other petals are light purple.

Water hyacinths usually bloom from January to May every year, and visitors can easily see them when traveling on the roads in the West. Water hyacinths also have many applications in life, such as making handicrafts, food, medicine, and organic fertilizer.

When the whole pond of water hyacinth blooms at the same time, it creates a beautiful scene that "fascinates" passersby.

Water hyacinth carpet adds vibrancy to the countryside picture - Photo: DANG TUYET

Going to the West to see water hyacinth flowers dyeing the pond banks purple - Photo 2.

In particular, water hyacinth flowers are 15 - 25cm high, including the stem and the flower. This is the youngest part of the water hyacinth plant, so local people often pick it fresh and eat it with braised dishes, fish sauce hotpot, and sour soup. Water hyacinth flowers have no fragrance, the petals are very thin, and the stem is crispy and sweet.

Water hyacinth carpets scattered across ponds, lakes, and canals contribute to the idyllic, poetic beauty of this corner of the Western countryside.