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In March, fireflies fly out.
When the kapok flowers fall, sow sesame seeds.
Clusters of vibrant, shimmering red kapok flowers, like flickering flames, adorn the slender branches, reaching towards the azure sky. The entire area seems to brighten and warm with the red hue of this distinctive flower.
In late spring, capricious cold spells suddenly arrive, as if wanting to dispel the chill and welcome the summer sun. After months of dormancy, the kapok tree, stripped bare of its leaves, follows a unique "reverse process"—only when the flowers bloom do the new shoots sprout, and only after the flowers have fallen do the lush green leaves emerge, casting shade on the branches. The blossoms ignite like flames along country roads, by village ponds, and on embankments…
As spring draws to a close and the sun begins to shine more brightly, the kapok flowers begin to bloom, adding to the poetic beauty of Hue City.
What's special about this flower is that it doesn't grow close together, yet it blooms a vibrant red at the same time. Five large, thick petals spread out from a cylindrical tube, and the stamens are long, filamentous threads, resembling tiny sparks of fire. Even a single kapok tree standing alone in a corner, with its tall, majestic form and bright red blossoms, resembles a tower of fire against the blue sky.
In mid-March, many kapok trees bloom bright red on street corners, delighting locals and tourists alike.
This flower chooses the perfect time in March, the month of scarcity, to bloom, bursting into flames, and calling out to magpies and other birds to gather amidst the lush green of young rice plants, embodying the farmers' yearning for abundance during times of hardship. The kapok flower season lasts for nearly a month, creating a breathtaking natural landscape that stirs the heart. When the kapok flowers fade, the red petals fall, giving way to fresh, vibrant green shoots.
In the heart of the dreamy city of Hue, right near the picturesque Da Vien Bridge, vibrant kapok trees are in full bloom, displaying their captivating crimson hues. Four ancient kapok trees, meticulously cared for by the Hue City Parks and Greenery Center, stand tall and majestic, like giant torches illuminating the entire area.
The kapok tree usually sheds all its leaves in winter, leaving only its blossoms to display when it blooms.
The kapok flower, also known by various other names such as Bombax ceiba or Pơ Lang, each name carries its own unique beauty and meaning. The kapok blossoms in clusters of vibrant red, standing out against the blue sky, creating a lively natural scene. This flower is widely cultivated in the northern provinces and cities of Vietnam and is considered a very familiar flower associated with the childhood memories of many people.
With its vibrant red color and delicate petals, the kapok flower, emitting a gentle fragrance, has become an indispensable part of Hue's natural landscape every spring and summer.
Perhaps few plants choose such precarious, solitary places to take root, spread their branches, and bloom as the kapok tree. It takes root on embankments and riverbanks, places that are essentially "desolate plains." Birds drop their seeds without choosing a specific day or place, and through sun and rain, the kapok tree diligently gathers its life force from the barren, uncultivated soil, sprouting new shoots and thorny branches along its trunk, both protecting itself and reaching upwards to spread its branches and canopy.
Nestled in the heart of the ancient imperial city of Hue, where the poetic Perfume River meanders, lies a unique architectural masterpiece deeply marked by history and culture: the Observatory. This is not only the only surviving ancient astronomical observatory in Vietnam, but also a vivid testament to the scientific and technical prowess and aesthetic sensibilities of the ancient Vietnamese people.
The Quan Tuong Dai (Observatory), located in Thuan Hoa ward, Hue city, was built during the Nguyen Dynasty, a dynasty that left a profound mark on Vietnamese history. Every spring, when the kapok trees surrounding the Quan Tuong Dai bloom simultaneously, the entire area seems to be illuminated by a vibrant red color. The wide-spreading canopies of the kapok trees, like giant umbrellas, shelter the ancient architectural structure. The red of the kapok flowers contrasts with the green of the leaves and the somber gray of the Quan Tuong Dai, creating a beautiful and lively natural landscape.
Amidst the vast alluvial plains, precariously perched along the slopes leading up to the rocky plateau, or standing alone in the fields, the kapok tree spreads its branches. These kapok trees are not only markers of the way home for those who have traveled far...The kapok flowers at the village gate keep beckoning to those far from home."As in Hoang Cam's poetry, the kapok tree also provides shade for hardworking farmers, shielding them from the scorching summer sun, offering a place to rest whenever they stop working. The kapok tree thus exists, solitary, gnarled, and thorny amidst the vast green expanse, so that every March, when the drums of the village festival resound, the entire kapok tree bursts into a vibrant red."
The sight of blooming kapok flowers not only attracts the people of Hue, but also fascinates tourists. Every year, around March, a large number of visitors from all over come to Hue to admire this flowering season.
The blossoming branches of the kapok tree this season not only attract the attention of people but also serve as an ideal resting place for birds. Tiny birds, with their colorful plumage, flutter around the blossoms, searching for sweet nectar. Their chirping, harmonizing with the rustling wind, creates a melodious and peaceful symphony.
Especially on weekends, when the weather is warm, the kapok flowers are at their most vibrant.
When the kapok flower season is mentioned, the image that immediately comes to mind is that of warm spring weather, with gentle golden sunlight stretching across the roads. The appearance of kapok flowers is not only a signal of spring, but also a harbinger of a new harvest, a new beginning full of hope. It is the time when people begin preparing for agricultural work, for bountiful harvests in the lush green fields.
Unlike in other provinces and cities, the kapok trees in Hue are not planted in large numbers, but when they bloom, they create a spectacular display, thanks to the city's inherent beauty.
In the treasury of Vietnamese folk songs and proverbs, there is a saying:When will March come - When the kapok flowers fall, the old woman puts away her blanketThe appearance of the kapok flower not only brings beauty to the natural landscape, but is also an indispensable part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. The kapok flower is not just a flower, but also a symbol of life, renewal, and hope for a bright future.
