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Endless plum orchards blanket the valleys in white, creating a scene like something out of a fairy tale. For those with a passion for travel, the plum blossom season in Moc Chau is not just a spring trip, but also a journey to rediscover the pristine beauty of nature.
Moc Chau in springtime – when plum blossoms bloom white across the sky, painting a dreamy natural landscape.
Diep Huu Dat, a young photographer working in Ta Xua, had the opportunity to experience this breathtaking scenery during his spring trip on the 4th day of Tet (Lunar New Year). Dat shared: "This trip was both work and a true spring getaway. Visiting Moc Chau at this time of year, just turning onto the small roads leading deep into the villages, you'll feel like you've stepped into another world – a place of only blue skies, white clouds, and blooming plum orchards."
For a photography enthusiast like Dat, every frame in Moc Chau evokes special emotions. He recounts the most memorable moment of his trip: "I rode my motorbike deep into the village, and as soon as I reached the top of the hill, a small wooden house appeared before me, nestled in a valley overflowing with plum blossoms. Under the afternoon sun, the white blossoms shone brilliantly, so beautiful that I had to stop for a long time to admire them."
Wandering amidst the plum blossom forest, one feels as if they are touching the gentle and pristine spring of Moc Chau.
Familiar destinations like Na Ka Valley, Mu Nau, or Phieng Canh are always top choices for tourists. But for Dat, Phieng Canh offers a particularly special feeling. "There are ancient plum trees there that haven't been pruned, so their canopies spread wide, forming beautiful arches of flowers. Especially when you look up from below, the clusters of white flowers stand out against the blue sky, breathtakingly beautiful," he shared.
The plum blossom season is at its most beautiful around the end of January and the beginning of February in the lunar calendar. But to fully enjoy this beauty, the ideal time of day is late afternoon. When the gentle golden sunlight stretches across the hillsides, the plum blossoms suddenly become shimmering, as if covered in silver. "The afternoon sun truly makes the plum blossom landscape most captivating. At that time, the light is just right, not too harsh, helping to highlight the delicate beauty of the plum blossoms," Dat shared.
Nestled amidst a valley of endless plum blossoms, a small wooden house quietly adorns the spring landscape.
Laughter echoed throughout the village as the spinning tops twirled on the ground.
However, along with the growing appeal of Moc Chau, the number of tourists is also increasing. Dat said: "This year, some destinations are not yet too crowded because they haven't received much media attention, but the famous areas are experiencing a lot of overcrowding. Many plum orchards are informal businesses, so amenities like restrooms, changing rooms, and parking are still lacking."
So how can you have the most fulfilling experience when visiting Moc Chau during the spring festival? According to Dat, instead of going to overly crowded places, tourists should choose lesser-known routes, seeking out more remote villages where the plum blossoms still retain their pristine beauty. "If possible, go by motorbike to explore freely. The villages deep in the valleys are not only more peaceful but also allow you to better experience the atmosphere of the highland Tet festival with the unique cultural features of the local people," he suggests.
Clusters of pure white plum blossoms burst open in the afternoon sun, like snowflakes in the spring air of Northwest Vietnam.
Moc Chau during the plum blossom season is not only a poetic natural landscape but also an emotional journey, where each visitor can find their own peaceful corner amidst the pristine white blossom gardens. And perhaps, all you need is a motorbike and an open mind to slowly feel the rhythm of life here as spring arrives.
