Hawthorn flower - "Miss March" of the Northwest mountains and forests
Nam Nghiep village (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district, Son La) is quietly hidden in the mountains and forests of the Northwest. This place is famous for its ancient apple forests, which put on a pure white coat every spring, attracting tourists from all over to visit and sightsee.
Passionate about traveling and taking photos of nature, people and culture on the roads he has traveled, Tran Duc Hoang (currently living in Hanoi) said: “While sitting in a cafe with friends, I accidentally found out about Nam Nghiep - a separate village that grows a lot of hawthorn trees. In October, I went there and was surprised by the large number of trees, around the houses of the people, hawthorn trees are planted. However, the time when hawthorn flowers bloom in March is also the time when plum and apricot flowers have faded, so people will switch to looking at hawthorn trees in the Northwest.”
Nam Nghiep village (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district, Son La) is quietly hidden in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.
Ancient hawthorn forests
Cat apple flower, also known as hawthorn flower, is a typical flower of the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. The flower usually blooms in March and April every year, when the weather begins to warm up. The blooming of Cat apple flowers is the time to signal the arrival of spring in the Northwest. The fragile, shy flowers bloom in clusters of pure white, dotted among the green of the mountains and forests, creating a picturesque scene. Each petal gently sways in the wind as if welcoming visitors to Nam Nghiep.
According to Duc Hoang, the hawthorn trees in Nam Nghiep are usually very large, with wide canopies, and many have beautiful drooping branches. The hawthorn flowers have five ivory-white petals and yellow pistils. The white color is not as pure white as plums, apricots, and pears, but when they bloom, they form clusters of flowers that hug the rustic branches.
Hawthorn flower or also known as hawthorn flower
Hawthorn flowers usually bloom in March and April every year.
The hawthorn flower is not only beautiful because of its color but also because of its gentle, lingering fragrance. That fragrance penetrates every corner, gently awakening the senses of each person, dispelling the fatigue and worries of daily life.
Besides, the hawthorn flower is also a symbol of elegance, purity and the soul of the Northwest mountains and forests. The image of hawthorn flowers blooming has become a source of inspiration for many poems, songs and paintings.
Five-petaled hawthorn flower with slightly ivory white pistil and yellow pistil
In particular, the hawthorn flower season in Nam Nghiep usually lasts about a month. This is the ideal time for tourists to come here to visit, sightsee and take photos. Tourists can stroll on the village roads, watch the hawthorn flowers bloom, feel the fresh and peaceful atmosphere of the village.
To capture beautiful photos of the hawthorn blossom season in Nam Nghiep, Duc Hoang did not hesitate to share his experience: “First, you have to go at the right time when the flowers are blooming. Usually, I will contact the locals or homestay at the place I go to. When taking photos, I will go on sunny days and especially should go with someone who knows how to take photos.
Hawthorn is often grown in high mountains, making it difficult to travel, so you need to be in good health, wear warm clothes, and have your phone fully charged to capture the most beautiful moments."
Hawthorn flowers are not only beautiful because of their color but also because of their gentle, lingering fragrance.
Hawthorn flower also symbolizes elegance and purity.
In addition, visitors can also participate in cultural experiences of the Mong and Thai ethnic groups living here. Local specialties you should enjoy are thang co, men men, apple wine...
In order to honor the beauty of the hawthorn flowers and promote local tourism, every spring, Ngoc Chien commune organizes the hawthorn flower festival. The festival attracts a large number of visitors to participate in activities such as: hawthorn flower photo contest, cooking contest, love song...
The crabapple flower season in Nam Nghiep usually lasts about a month.
In addition, visitors can also participate in cultural experiences of the Mong and Thai ethnic groups living here.
More than a flower
In addition, hawthorn flowers are not only beautiful but also have many useful uses. Flowers can be used to make tea, cook wine or make delicious dishes. Hawthorn flower tea has the effect of cooling, detoxifying and is good for health.
Hawthorn fruit is spherical, green, turns yellow or red when ripe. Hawthorn fruit has a sweet and sour taste, often used to make jam, wine or soft drinks.
“I will definitely come back here many more times, the nearest time will be this October to experience picking wild apples with the highland people,” Duc Hoang said.
Hawthorn flowers are not only beautiful but also have many useful uses.
