Ms. Do Thi Kim Oanh, founder of Du Muc Camping, a business specializing in providing camping equipment in Hanoi, was one of those who had the opportunity to experience Bac Ha in early March. With a passion for discovery and more than 20 trips each year, she shared: "Previously, when I was a student, I had two weeks of practical study in Bac Ha, and perhaps from then on, my love for this land was absorbed in me."
Tourists immerse themselves in the cultural identity of the highlands
Plum blossom season in Bac Ha usually falls from late February to mid-March, when the entire highland is covered in a pure white coat.
Journey to touch plum blossom season
Departing from Hanoi early Saturday morning, after about six hours of travel, Ms. Oanh and her group of friends arrived in Bac Ha at noon. They spent the afternoon following the Lung Phinh - Lung Cai - Can Cau route, enjoying the natural beauty of the white plum gardens and tall pine forests like a corner of Europe in the heart of the Northwest. The check-in location not to be missed is Seng Sui, where the vast rows of plum trees bloom white across the hillsides.
In the evening, Bac Ha town is brilliant with the night market, where visitors can join in the bamboo dance, join cozy campfire nights and enjoy the moment of fireworks lighting up the highland sky.
The immense plum gardens cover the hillsides, interspersed among the villages, creating a poetic scene like a fairy tale.
On Sunday morning, the group woke up early to explore Bac Ha market - one of the most famous markets in the Northwest. "The market is not only a place to exchange goods but also the most vivid picture of the culture and life of the highland people," Ms. Oanh shared. Here, everything from precious medicinal plants, fresh local vegetables, typical spices, to buffalo, cows, dogs, pigs and traditional dishes are present, making visitors excited.
Plum trees blooming brightly next to the Mong roofs, creating a poetic scene like a fairy tale painting.
After the market, the group continued their journey to Ta Van Chu village, famous for its picturesque plum gardens. "The first time I saw plum blossoms here, I felt like I was lost in a fairy garden. The flowers did not grow densely in clusters but scattered on the tree branches, like snowflakes in the blue sky. They bloomed on the gentle slopes, next to Mong houses, next to cliffs, blending with the wild but charming natural scenery."
A corner of the Sunday morning market, where ethnic minorities in the highlands gather, trade and exchange cultures.
Roads to experience
To fully enjoy the beauty of Bac Ha in plum blossom season, Lung Phinh - Can Cau route is an ideal suggestion. Peaceful villages, innocent ethnic children playing next to the houses, horses leisurely on the hillsides... all create a vivid picture of the Northwest. Especially, when traveling in the season of apricot, plum and peach blossoms, this route seems to put on a colorful coat, both wild and charming.
Mong children are the highlight among the plum blossom forest.
In addition, the route from the center of Bac Ha to Ta Van Chu village is also a great choice. The small road winds through the valley, passing through tea hills, simple houses of the Mong people and white plum gardens like a fairyland. This is also a destination not to be missed to take pictures with plum gardens blooming next to traditional rammed earth houses, creating a picturesque scene.
Tourists can choose prominent destinations such as Ta Van Chu village, Seng Sui valley, Lung Phinh - Can Cau route to admire the typical beauty of Bac Ha plum blossoms.
Experience for a perfect trip
To have a smooth trip, Ms. Oanh noted that the weather in Bac Ha can change quickly, so visitors should check the weather forecast and prepare suitable clothes. In particular, it is advisable to plan a reasonable travel schedule to avoid driving on mountain roads when it is dark or there is thick fog. Choosing to stay in the center of Bac Ha town is a good suggestion, helping visitors easily explore the night market and participate in the early morning market on Sunday.
Bac Ha plum blossom season is not only a destination for those who love nature, but also a place to feel the beauty of highland culture.
Bac Ha in plum blossom season is not only a destination for those who love nature, but also a place to feel the beauty of highland culture, where nature and people blend in the wonderful colors of spring. As Ms. Oanh said: "I always return to Bac Ha, because every time I come, this land brings a new feeling, like a painting that constantly changes with each season".
