At the end of autumn, when light sunshine spreads down over every corner of the landscape, and paddy fields are in their harvest, comes the flower season in Ha Giang
The landscape, which features rugged rock formations and filled with scenes of the hard life of the local people, is in its blooming season. Autumn has become the meeting season for those who like traveling with the wind, cloud, and sky of this landscape.
In November, corns grown in small caves are replaced by triangular flowers. From Sung La, fields of purple triangular flowers take me from dream to dream. I love these days at the end of autumn in Ha Giang so much that I travel here every year during this flower season to immerse myself in bright flowers on rugged rocks.
Flower season in Ha Giang, northeast Vietnam mountain province
When I first passed by Sung La, I was impressed by the magnificent view of the valley behind the sleeve bend. From the high mountain, we can see big Cunninghamia trees growing high to the sky and colorful carpets of flowers. The valley is sunk into the aroma of roses. Houses seem peaceful in the sunshine. Short stone fences, Persimmon trees laden with fruits, and dry woods stored fully in a corner of the kitchen, are willing for a new cold winter. On the roof, corns and soya beans are dried. The H’Mong girl is weaving on a loom. Although she cannot speak Vietnamese well, she is very hospitable and will treat you to a cool drink at noon. Children with clear, black eyes are playing on the veranda floor and looking at strange guests curiously.
‘Tam Giac Mach’ flower
The H’Mong people in Sung La grow triangular and mustard flowers on the high lands, and corn and rice at lowlands in the valley. Purple eggplant flowers, triangular flowers, yellow sunshine and green cunninghamia trees are scattered within the green color of young corHn and rice. Some corn trees grown on rugged rocks are harvested and brought home. Corn is the main food of the local people. Corn is used to make wine, cake and other foods. Corncobs and corn trees are dried to light the kitchen stove. Not many farm produces are grown on the land of rugged rocks. Corn trees are planted in small caves of rugged rocks. Every day, the H’Mong people must carry soil from the lower lands to those caves, chock them and then plant corn seeds in them. Green corn trees are growing from grey rocks as the life of the local people continues to develop daily in this hard land. Now I can understand why the ethnic people of Lo Lo, H’Mong or Dao often wear colorful scarves and dresses. Their costumes look remarkable amongst the grey rugged rocks. Their steps are as a flash in high mountain areas.
Local farmers in Ha Giang
After the corn season, Sung La is floating with carpets of triangular flowers. Purple pink petals have been known to provide an alluring and irresistible sight to a large number of tourists. Triangular flowers are grown after every rice harvest. In the past, the local people used its seeds to make cake. At present, it is used to feed cattle and its young leaves are boiled and eaten as a kind of delicious vegetable. Flowers are not eaten but do attract many guests. Triangular flowers have become the flowers of autumn. With light sunbeams still shining over the valley and the weather remaining cool, we head back to Sung La to sit by the rock fences and immerse in the fairy scenery.
“Tam Giac Mach” flower field
Triangular trees are planted around Ha Giang, from Sung La to Lung Cu, then Dong Van. The white of the Bidens pilosa flowers are seen existing in unison with the purple triangular flowers along the road from Yen Minh to Dong Van and Meo Vac. Wild flowers are seen everywhere in this mountainous area, dripping with moisture in the morning dew or basking in the sunshine. Flowers bloom on mountain slopes and within the most isolated caves. Among those wild flowers, there exists a beautiful flower that only blooms at the end of autumn.
While guests are drawn to Ha Giang by the triangular flowers, which are grown after the harvest and bloom after a month, I visit Ha Giang for wild daisy flowers, which can bloom right within rugged rocks. Flowers are grown amongst the corns to catch enough sunlight. Daisy flowers beautify curved streets through the forest and make visitors feel moved when they are seen.
They are like smiles of H’Mong girls in the bustling harvest days. Although petals were fading away, their orange color remains. They are also as enduring as local people in this hard landscape. In the light sunshine of late autumn, wild daisy flowers appear at their best, right before the cold winds of winter arrives.
At the end of autumn, a sense of nostalgia engulfs Ha Giang. There, in the rugged rocks under the sunshine, orange flowers bloom for new fruits. The colors of burnt, dry corn trees and harvested corn are blended in the yellow color of soya bean in the yellow sunshine.
In Ha Giang, the four seasons are four strikingly different pictures that attract guests. There, the Autumn realizes its best appearance with purple triangular flowers and wild daisy flowers on mountain slopes.
