Rustic stilt houses appear in the middle of terraced fields, concrete roads winding along hillsides, and distant white clouds. On the green background of mountains and forests, cherry blossoms bloom profusely, not as brilliant as overwhelmingly, but enough to slow people down to admire.
Flower season awakens highland villages
Ban Mung is located at an altitude of about 600m above sea level, with a cool climate all year round. The space here still retains its pristine beauty, with a rhythm of life associated with fields, terraced fields and long-standing customs of the Muong people. It is the harmony between nature and people that has created a very unique attraction for this land.
Right from the beginning of January, cherry blossoms have begun to bud, spreading the first patches of pink on the mountainside. When entering about mid-month, the weather becomes more stable, flowers bloom profusely, pink color gradually spreading throughout Mung hamlet.
In the breeze of the mountains, the smell of new sunlight flickers, the smell of grass and rocks, the colors of flowers appear on the dark green background of the mountains and forests, prominent without being ostentatious. That beauty carries the appearance of a local person - silent, persistent and gentle, enough to hold back tourists, bringing a rare feeling of calmness amidst the increasingly vibrant rhythm of tourism.
In recent days, Mung hamlet has welcomed many groups of tourists from neighboring provinces coming to admire the flowers and take photos. Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "Cherry blossoms here are not planted as densely as in large tourist areas, but in return, the space is very airy and natural. Standing in the middle of terraced fields, looking at the flowers blooming on the hillside, it feels very comfortable, like living slowly in the middle of the mountains and forests".
Entrance tickets at the cherry blossom garden in Mung hamlet are currently at 50,000 VND/person; at the peak flower season weekend, the expected collection level is adjusted to 100,000 VND/person.
Not only cherry blossoms, many other seasonal flowers are also planted in the area such as Thai sim, five-color purple. Viewpoints facing the valley, where you can see the sunset falling behind the mountains, have become a check-in spot loved by many tourists. Some households also provide services for renting kimonos and photo props to meet the needs of experience, but still maintain a moderate scale, avoiding losing the natural beauty of the village.
Previously, when traffic was not convenient, the beauty of Mung village was almost a "secret" of the highlands. Only when the road to the village was concreted, traveling became easier, did the village gradually appear on the tourist map.
Terraced fields are no longer only associated with the crop season, but are also used to grow more flowers and create landscapes. The village space has therefore become more lively, both preserving traditional features and meeting the sightseeing and experience needs of tourists.
In 2023, Xom Mung flower hill was voted by readers to be in the "Top 7 Impressive Vietnamese Landscapes", category "Top 7 Impressive Tourist Landscapes". This title is not only a recognition for the natural landscape, but also affirms the appropriate direction of the locality in developing tourism associated with cultural preservation.
Flower blooming opens a new way of livelihood
For the people of Mung village, flowers are not only for sightseeing but also become a direction for tourism, creating more livelihoods from their homeland. From purely agricultural production, people have gradually switched to combining and developing community tourism.
Not only stopping at admiring flowers, Mung village also attracts tourists with its strong Muong cultural life. The stilt houses on the hillside, the sound of hammering rice every morning, the smell of can wine, grilled stream fish by the fire create a cozy and intimate space.
On the road to the village, many families are ready to open their doors to welcome guests, chat and share stories about life, about how to preserve customs and habits. When night falls, the campfire bursts, the sound of gongs and Muong singing echoes in the mountains and forests, creating an atmosphere that is both sacred and connected.
Community tourism in Mung village has developed clearly in recent years. Many households have boldly renovated stilt houses as homestays, both preserving traditional architecture and adding necessary amenities.
Ms. Bui Thi Dung, owner of a homestay in the village, said: "Initially, I simply thought of letting guests sleep over and eat with the family. Later, seeing that tourists like to experience culture, the family invested in more resting space, serving Muong cuisine. Thanks to that, I have a stable income.
In parallel with accommodation services, people also expand support activities such as renting traditional costumes, selling local products, and processing cuisine. Each service contributes to creating jobs, increasing income, and at the same time helping the village maintain its inherent rustic features.
The advantage of Mung village is also its location connected to many famous tourist attractions of Cao Phong commune and neighboring areas such as: Giang Mo village, Thung Nai wharf, Dau Rong mountain or Vietnamese Scientists' Heritage Park. This connection creates a rich experience chain, helping tourists have more choices when coming to this land.
According to local authorities, developing community tourism is a clearly defined direction. Mr. Hoang Minh Hieu - Chairman of Cao Phong Commune People's Committee said that in the coming time, the commune will propose planning and specific orientations for Mung village, and at the same time support people to improve tourism skills, gradually complete infrastructure. When there is a companionship between the government and people, tourism will become a sustainable livelihood.
The cherry blossom season will pass, pale pink will make way for the green of the fields. But what Ban Mung leaves behind is not just a few beautiful photos, but a very real feeling of peace. In the middle of the Northwest mountains and forests, the flowering season is like a gentle invitation, so that each trip is not only a journey of discovery, but also an opportunity to find peace in the usual hurried pace of life.
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