A representative from the Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the Cherry Blossom Festival will be held here from 9-11/1. This annual event features cultural and artistic activities, ethnic cultural experiences, and showcases local cuisine and products. At the start of the new year, thousands of Japanese cherry blossom trees in the Pa Khoang lake area, Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien province, are blooming, creating a striking pink hue in the middle of the lake.

The flower planting area, often referred to by locals and tourists as Dien Bien's "flower island," is located on a small island within the Pa Khoang hydropower lake, about 20 km from the provincial center. Each cherry blossom tree is tagged with a QR code, allowing visitors to learn about the specific variety. From the flower garden, tourists can gaze towards Pu To Co mountain, which served as an observation post during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, creating a unique blend of natural scenery and historical significance.

Trinh Xuan Tu, a photographer in Dien Bien, noted that this year's cherry blossoms bloomed earlier than last year, starting their season in late 12/2025. The blossoms are dense and uniform. Depending on the weather each year, the blooming period can vary, but the flower season typically lasts about two months.

The flower island is situated at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, boasting a cool climate and lower temperatures compared to the surrounding areas, making it ideal for cultivating Japanese cherry blossom varieties. Currently, the area features about 20 different varieties with diverse colors. Many trees reach heights of 6-7 meters, and older trees tend to produce denser blooms.

The cherry blossoms at Pa Khoang were first experimentally planted by Doctor Tran Le in 2005. From just ten cherry blossom seeds gifted by the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Le successfully cultivated and acclimatized the trees. They adapted well to the local soil conditions, blooming after four years of planting in Pa Khoang commune.

From the initial ten cherry blossom trees, Mr. Le propagated over 1,000 trees within seven years. After two decades of care, the cherry blossom island now boasts over 300,000 trees, with the majority being one to two-year-old seedlings.

During the early part of the year, the flower island draws many visitors for sightseeing and photography. Admission to the flower garden costs 50,000 VND per person. Beyond tourism, cherry blossom trees from the garden are also purchased by domestic entities and foreign organizations operating in Vietnam for planting. The chosen trees are typically about one meter tall and bloom after two to three years.

By Mai Phuong

Photos: Trinh Xuan Tu