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Located about 180 km from Hanoi, Moc Chau stretches out with wide hills, breezy meadows, and over 1,300 hectares of plum trees covering the valleys. Normally, plum blossoms don't truly bloom until the end of January or mid-February. But this year, as early as the beginning of December, plum trees in some orchards have awakened and bloomed earlier than expected, covering the plateau, which is usually only the deep green of winter, with a pristine white hue.
The white blossoms of the plum tree create a serene scene reminiscent of early morning mist.
The phenomenon of plum blossoms blooming out of season has become quite common in recent years. However, this year, many people have commented that the blossoms are noticeably denser and more beautiful. The flowers are smaller than those in the main season, but they bloom evenly, creating a light white blanket over the trees, while still retaining the characteristic purity and freshness that visitors always find in Moc Chau every spring.
Pa Khen and Na Ka on the days when the flowers are at their most beautiful.
On December 5th, Quang Kien, a local from Moc Chau, visited Pa Khen and captured images of early winter when the plum blossoms were at their peak. He said that Moc Chau was experiencing beautiful sunny days with a gentle, cool breeze, perfect for visiting the orchards. Among the blooming areas like Phuong Thao Nguyen, Na Ka, and Mu Nau, he considered the plum orchard in Pa Khen to have the densest and most uniform blossoms at this time. The plum trees here are all old, with large, straight trunks, creating a sense of stability and making the white blossoms spread more evenly across the orchard.
The plum orchards in Pa Khen, with their rows of old, straight plum trees on either side, create a picturesque path.
According to Mr. Kien, this year's off-season plum blossoms are almost as beautiful as the main season, about eight parts as beautiful, even though they bloomed earlier, lasted a shorter time on the branches, and the blossoms are slightly smaller. But thanks to the uniformity of the blossoms, the space feels much lighter, as if covered by a thin veil of light. In Na Ka and Mu Nau – the two valleys with the largest plum growing areas in Moc Chau – the blossoms are also in full bloom, one after another, in the orchards. Sections of hills are covered in white by the newly bloomed plum blossoms, clearly marking the boundary between the old season and the coming season.
Although blooming out of season, the density of flowers is still high and the beauty is almost as good as during the main season.
Mr. Trang A Dua, the owner of a plum orchard in Na Ka valley, said that partly due to changing weather patterns, coupled with many orchard owners proactively applying methods to stimulate flowering to serve tourists, early blooming periods have become more frequent. Previously, Na Ka was only a plum-growing area for local people, but now, many orchard owners have added services such as renting traditional ethnic costumes, tents, or spaces for tourists to camp and leisurely admire the flowers.
In recent years, gardeners have often used various methods to induce flowering in order to increase their income.
The moment the valley bursts into light amidst the first white blossoms of the season.
For those wishing to admire the out-of-season plum blossoms in Na Ka, the best time of day is between 8 and 10 a.m. Arriving too early, the thick fog in the valley easily obscures the entire slope of blossoms. Midday and afternoon sun are intense, while the light fades quickly towards the end of the day, making it difficult to capture the beautiful moments. A morning with just the right amount of sunshine, coolness, and clarity is when the plum blossoms are at their most beautiful: the white petals glisten in the soft, slightly cool sunlight, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Early morning, just as the mist has lifted, is the best time to admire the white plum blossoms.
Na Ka Valley is located about 16 km from Moc Chau agricultural town. The road into the valley is now more complete than before, but it is still winding and quite narrow. Tourists should travel by motorbike for more control on the road, avoiding rainy days as the road surface can be slippery.
The small path leading into the plum orchard opens onto open hillsides, where the winter air seems to soften as the blossoms blanket both sides in white. Occasionally, people stroll through the garden, their soft conversations blending with the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves, making the morning even more peaceful.
A relaxing moment sitting under a tree and admiring the plum blossoms.
Off-season flowers will continue to bloom in succession in the orchards throughout December. The main plum blossom season is expected to peak at the end of January next year, when cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers are also in bloom. At that time, Moc Chau is often blanketed in white, making it one of the most beautiful seasons of the year on the plateau. But right now, in the early winter, the beauty of the early blossoms has a unique, unhurried charm, gentle yet captivating.
It is expected that the plum blossoms in Moc Chau will bloom in succession until around January of next year.
For many, the off-season plum blossom season is the reason to visit Moc Chau in the early days of winter: not too crowded, not too bustling, just patches of white blossoms shimmering in the breeze and the tranquility emanating from the ancient plum orchards. Amidst the vast plateau, the early plum blossoms retain their graceful and pristine beauty, making the journey to Moc Chau softer, as if soothed by the white hues spread across the hillsides.
