After a year of non-stop work, I often reward myself with a spring trip to recharge my batteries and start a new year. Sometimes I choose to immerse myself in a deserted beach, sometimes I stroll around the streets, sightsee and enjoy a myriad of delicious dishes in an ancient city, or choose to trek and bathe in the spring forest.
Leaving the bustling city, I went to Da Lat (Lam Dong) after the Lunar New Year holiday - the time when everyone has gone to school and work - to enjoy the spring colors still lingering on the cherry blossom branches in the heart of the city, receiving the peaceful energy from the mountains and forests.
Leaving the bustling city, I went to Da Lat (Lam Dong) after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Nestled on the Lam Vien plateau at an altitude of about 1,500 m above sea level, Da Lat city is known for its year-round cool temperate climate with blooming flowers, becoming a favorite destination for millions of domestic and international tourists.
Every spring, the landscape seems to awaken after a long winter sleep. Everywhere from the center of Da Lat city to the hillsides in the highlands, everywhere is filled with the pink color of blooming cherry blossoms. Each delicate flower branch blooms like soft peach silk ribbons embracing the landscape, creating a unique highlight for the mountain town at the beginning of the year.
Not noisy and bustling, but during the holidays, Da Lat returns to its original poetic, gentle, and pristine beauty. On my small motorbike, I roamed all the roads, enjoying the scent and colors of Spring.
From mid-January to the end of February every year, cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Da Lat, signaling the arrival of spring. In the center of Da Lat city, cherry blossoms are planted along roads such as Tran Hung Dao, Hung Vuong, Co Giang, around Xuan Huong Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake, Tu Tao Street, Tran Quy Cap railway...
Waking up early, I went jogging to Xuan Huong Lake, watching the calm lake surface, the reflection of cherry blossoms stretching across the water. In the first days of the year, the morning temperature was 15-16 degrees Celsius, the cool air carried the fresh, pure scent of grass and trees.
Walking on the small road along the lake, I immersed myself in the peaceful life of the city people, fully admiring the beautiful natural picture of the national scenic spot Xuan Huong Lake with a 360-degree panoramic view. In which, the cherry blossom tree on the bank of Xuan Huong Lake leans towards the lake, combined with the calm lake surface and the cool green grass behind, creating a highlight in the beautiful landscape.
I have seen cherry blossoms in Da Lat many times, but the feeling inside me is still excited. Running along Hoa Hong Street (Ward 4, Da Lat City), the ancient cherry blossoms blooming on the hillsides create a beautiful natural picture that makes everyone passing by want to stop and admire. Standing in front of the vast space, I let go of all my worries, immersing myself in the peace and quiet in front of Tuyen Lam Lake.
Da Lat is not only a city of poetic landscapes, this land also concentrates many architectural works and relics of historical and cultural value. Coming to the National Monument of Da Lat Children's Prison, I was especially impressed by the beautiful scenery of two rows of cherry blossoms in front of the gate. Going deeper into the yard, the ancient flower trees bloom, creating a poetic landscape next to the prison cells, barbed wire fences... where hundreds of revolutionary children from 12 to 17 years old were once detained.
The contrast between the prison space and the romantic beauty of cherry blossoms gave me a strong feeling that nothing can restrain the beauty of nature and subdue the revolutionary will of Vietnamese youth.
Spring is the time when the weather in Da Lat is cool, this is also the ideal time for me to get close to nature, admire the beauty of the landscape, the sky at the beginning of the year. And so the Langbiang trekking trip began.
With a height of 2,167 m, Langbiang peak is also known as the "roof of Da Lat", located in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province. After buying the entrance ticket, I followed the trail next to the tourist area, starting the 7 km trekking journey to explore Langbiang peak.
Walking along the gravel road, I passed through the coffee plantations, watching the horses leisurely grazing in the middle of the vast grassland. In the distance, the rolling hills were hidden under the clouds, of which the highest peak was my goal today. After crossing the grassland, I officially embarked on a journey to explore the rich flora and fauna of Langbiang land, characterized by its pine forest ecosystem and tropical primeval forests.
The image of tens of meters high pine trees stretching straight up, covering a part of the sky, made the scene here become more mysterious. Under the canopy of old pine trees, my friends and I listened to the pine trees rustling, enjoying the fresh air, strangely quiet.
After passing the pine hills, I went to the management checkpoint to record the contact information before entering the primeval forest leading to the summit. Going deep into the forest, I looked at the maple leaves glowing in the middle of the old forest, enjoyed the pristine beauty of the night dew still on the branches and leaves, inhaled the smell of wood, the smell of rotten leaves, and listened to the chirping of birds in my ears.
Putting aside the hustle and bustle of life, I was like a wild child, absent-mindedly discovering new things in the forest, picking up every flower and leaf along the trail. To reach the top, I had to overcome continuous steep slopes, the cold air made my throat dry. Regulating my breathing, I slowly took each step and then the open space at the top of the mountain appeared after about 2 hours of moving.
Standing in the middle of the vast space, I looked out to see the whole city. Every time I climbed Langbiang, I came across a couple of tourists sitting and watching the scenery, chatting, randomly, at the same location. The two visitors this time were Selena (American nationality) and Alex (British nationality). "We are on a journey to explore Vietnam for a month. Both of us love nature, so we decided to climb Langbiang mountain to explore the landscape as well as exercise and stay in shape after the Tet holiday in Malaysia", the couple said.
The feeling of sitting next to a companion looking back at the past journey, with joys and sorrows, with advantages and difficulties, is so happy. For me, climbing and trekking is not about the joy of conquering a milestone, but about the experiences and memories throughout the journey.
What could be more wonderful than welcoming the new year with a journey back to nature, embracing the pristine beauty of the earth and sky, enjoying the gentle spring days with the people you love. On that journey, we will find a like-minded companion, travel together, enjoy every moment, making the trip more complete.
How happy it is to sit next to your companion and look back on the past journey, with joys and sorrows, with advantages and disadvantages.
