People flock to see a nearly 30-year-old cactus with hundreds of flowers blooming.

For the past few days, every day the corner of Ms. Thu Hang's yard, 30 years old, in Quang Ninh, is crowded with people coming to see the cactus blooming with white flowers.

The 'ancient' cactus has been in the corner of Ms. Hang's garden for 26-27 years. When she was playing in the yard, she saw the tree standing there. Mr. Cho, Ms. Hang's father, is 70 years old this year. He said that one time he went out and saw a beautiful cactus, so he asked to plant it. At first, Mr. Cho planted a few clumps, but only this one has survived until now.

Thu Hang and her siblings grew up with this thorny plant. When she was young, the plant flowered but only sparingly, only in the last 5-6 years.

Recalling her childhood memories, Ms. Hang still remembers the time she broke a cactus thorn and got pricked and bled. Now that there are many children in the house, Ms. Hang’s father has put up a wire mesh net to ensure the safety of the children when they play in the yard.

Every time the cactus flowers bloom, bees and butterflies flock to them. Ms. Thu Hang has a hard time taking close-up photos of the flowers for fear of being stung by bees.

Cactus usually blooms 2-3 times a year, but June and July are the most. Cactus flowers are shaped like night-blooming cereus or dragon fruit flowers, with white petals and yellow pistils. Each time the flower blooms, it only lasts a few hours before wilting. After the flower withers, it falls off, and sour fruit grows from the stem.

Ms. Hang said that cactus grows well without care. The plant prefers dry places, so just avoid planting in low-lying, swampy areas.

Neighbors who love Ms. Hang's cactus asked for branches to plant, but none of the seedlings bloomed as well as the mother plant.

When the flowers bloom white, small buds also peek out waiting to grow. Each blooming period lasts about 3-5 days.

Ms. Hang said that when the tree was small, it was almost knocked down many times by storms. But in recent years, when the tree has grown bigger and has strong roots, her family can rest assured even in harsh weather.