The pear blossoms of Hong Thai adorn the entire landscape.

Pear blossoms bloom during the two most beautiful seasons of the year: early autumn – around the end of October, when the rice fields of Hong Thai commune turn into a vast golden sea, when the fire-jumping festival of the Dao Tien people is held with great excitement, when the cool breeze under the clear, high autumn sky is dotted with colorful paragliders of professional paragliders, creating a dreamy and poetic atmosphere – that is when the pear blossoms bloom for the second time in the year.

The first time the flowers bloom is, of course, in spring, around the end of February or the beginning of March, after the Lunar New Year has passed. When the scent of spring still lingers, making visitors still need to wear a light jacket when going out for a spring stroll, the silver-gray pear branches and gnarled pear trees from winter burst into clusters of lovely white flowers, showcasing the simple, vast, and magnificent beauty of the mountains and forests, intertwined with the vibrant green of new shoots and buds, creating a dreamy and enchanting scene.

Spring pear blossoms are, of course, larger and more beautiful than autumn pear blossoms. The branches, brimming with life-giving sap, are just waiting for spring to arrive so they can burst into vibrant bloom. But autumn, with its cool breezes and bright moonlight, makes the blossoming pear branches even more enchanting.

By the time we left the Na Hang hydroelectric reservoir and headed towards Hong Thai, it was late afternoon. After nearly two hours of traveling over 50 kilometers along winding mountain roads, we arrived at the homestay just in time for dinner. The young men greeted us enthusiastically, urging the family to reheat the food. Besides the "rocket pig" dish, which included grilled and steamed pork, offal, and sausage, there was also fried carp. The homestay owner excitedly introduced: "The 'rocket pig' is raised on a farm and only fed on chopped banana stalks from upland rice mixed with bran from the fields. And this is the specialty: crispy fried carp – these fish are smaller than regular carp, but their meat is fragrant and crispy, making them delicious to eat. The best carp is found during the rice harvest season at the end of October, when the rice paddies have plenty of water and feed on young rice shoots about to bloom or still milky, so each fish is firm, and the meat is very fragrant and fatty." Hearing the young man's description, we all drooled.

The delicious wine, rich meat, and fragrant fish, along with the refreshing, spring-scented mountain air, allowed us to sleep soundly until dawn. After breakfast, we got dressed neatly, and my younger brother hired a motorbike to take me to our first spot to admire the pear blossoms in Hong Thai: the longest pear blossom road in Vietnam, stretching over 5 km from the center of Hong Thai commune to the border of Co Linh commune, Pac Nam district, Bac Kan province.

In 2023, this road was awarded a certificate by the "Vietnam Records" organization for being the longest pear blossom road in Vietnam. In the middle of spring, the pear trees, planted on both sides of the road, burst into pristine white blossoms, winding along the highland slopes and nestled against the green mountains and forests, creating a breathtaking scene that captivates visitors, whether strolling, cycling, or driving slowly like us. We can't help but stop to pose or snap photos of the trees in full bloom, immersing ourselves in the fresh air of this beautiful, vibrant spring village, forgetting the weariness of city life and the hustle and bustle of urban life. As we strolled leisurely through the pear blossom trees, gazing out at the vast, verdant rice fields or encountering ancient trees along the roadside with trunks so thick several people would be needed to encircle them, my younger brother recounted the beautiful and fascinating scenery of this land, then sighed regretfully: "Your time in Hong Thai was too short. If you had stayed longer, I could have taken you to more places, and I'm sure you would have loved it."

Wandering along the surreal pear blossom-lined path, my younger brother took me to visit an ancient pear orchard. Passing through a wooden archway with a railing made of dried bamboo, I was once again amazed by the vast hillside, where tender grass sprouted from the dry leaves and decaying grass of the previous season, creating a vibrant green. Above were the pear trees – although I rarely encountered this type of tree, I never imagined there could be such large trunks. And then there were the flowers, flowers, and more flowers, the blossoms of spring. Standing under a pear tree, you feel a pure white, fragrant beauty, swaying in the breeze, enveloping your mind and all your senses with a truly rare sensation.

Wandering beneath the old pear trees laden with blossoms, I alternated between standing, sitting, and sprawling on the undulating rocks of the hill, gazing and taking pictures. Suddenly, I spotted several healthy, sleek-skinned horses leisurely grazing on the hillside. Knowing I couldn't linger forever with the pear blossoms, with Na Hang, with Hong Thai, and with the pure and enchanting spring of this place, I had to leave, my heart filled with longing, promising to return one day to the verdant mountains and clear waters, to the hills and the pristine, mesmerizing white pear blossoms.

"White pear blossoms, your smile the color of sunshine."

The rolling hills gracefully follow the path you walk.

What is the traveler from afar contemplating?

To stay or to go? My feet can't bear to leave..."

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Le Hong Lam