Bauhinia flower season in the Western region of Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Many people think that Bauhinia flowers are typical of the mountains and forests of the Northwest region, but few people know that the forests of Western Nghe An still have clusters of Bauhinia flowers in full bloom.

Spring air fills the forests and villages of the West, we go up to Ky Son to enjoy the scenery of the remote border region.

From the plum and peach gardens at the "heavenly gate" of Muong Long, turn to the Huoi Tu intersection, then follow the route to the communes of Na Loi - Dooc May - Keng Du, you will see the branches of Bauhinia trees looming in the misty clouds.

Compared to the Northwest, the Bauhinia trees in Ky Son do not grow in forests but are scattered along the stream banks, around the fields and along the roads. Occasionally, there are only about 3-5 trees clustered together to compete in color, but it is enough to evoke excitement and nostalgia for travelers. And add spring colors to the steep, winding roads.

Bauhinia flowers contribute to the spring beauty of mountains, forests, and villages. Photo: Cong Khang

Mr. Vi Van Binh in Na Khuong village (Na Loi commune) - a long-time resident of this land said: "The forests in this area used to have a lot of Bauhinia trees, but because people cleared too much land, now there are only scattered trees left...".

Stopping to admire the white flowers blooming in the forest in March, we were truly amazed, captivated and almost “fascinated” by the pure white beauty of the newly opened Bauhinia flowers. When the Bauhinia flowers first open their buds, they have a light purple hue; when they fully bloom, the purple hue is concentrated in the pistil, while the petals exude a pure white color.

Bauhinia flowers usually bloom around March and begin to fade in April. Photo: Cong Khang

Highlanders often compare the Ban flower to the beauty of a girl. When it first buds, it represents the shyness and timidity of a first meeting; when it fully blooms, it represents the beauty of a mountain girl drinking a light jar of rice wine at a festival, with a radiant face, an open heart, and performing the Lam Vong and Xoe dances in a rhythmic, graceful manner.

The Mong people in Dooc May commune say that this place name has some origin from the Bauhinia flower. Because in Thai, “Dooc May” means “flower tree”, this land was once filled with flowers, dozens, hundreds of flower species blooming in the spring, the most common being the white Bauhinia flower. Bauhinia flowers usually start blooming in the beginning of the second lunar month, when the warm air spreads to the border forests.

Bauhinia flowers bloom in March, and begin to fade when April “knocks on the door”. They are also processed by the highlanders into rustic but extremely attractive dishes such as soup, salad or rose with sticky rice. The flavor of Bauhinia flowers makes these dishes more flavorful, unforgettable after just one bite.

When just opening buds, the flowers are pale purple; when fully bloomed, the purple color concentrates on the pistil, while the petals exude a pure white color. Photo: Ho Phuong

During the blooming season of Ban flowers, the Thai people in the Northwest often hold festivals called Xen Ban and Xen Muong, also known as Ban flower festivals. During the festival, young men and women have the opportunity to meet, sing love songs, enjoy wine together, and hold hands to open the xoe circle... Throughout the journey, we dreamed of the Xen Ban and Xen Muong festivals in the Western region of Nghe An - an opportunity for friends from near and far to come and admire and explore the beauty of the mountains and forests of the border.

Reaching the “heavenly gate” Pa Tac - the border between the two communes of Dooc May and Keng Du, one can hear the song “Love Letter of the Mountain” by musician An Thuyen echoing. The lyrics of the song are both passionate, bustling, and resonant and profound: “A forest of white blooming Ban trees/ A love I have in the middle of the distant mountains and forests...”.

Cong Khang