Ba Vi National Park is facing a growing problem of visitors damaging its wild sunflowers. Since the beginning of the flower season, despite numerous signs stating "No picking flowers, breaking branches, or destroying the landscape", guests continue to break branches and uproot plants. This behavior is reported across the park, from the ticket gate up to the 1,000-meter mark, but is most prevalent near the ticket gate due to easily accessible low-hanging branches. The entrance to Melia Ba Vi Retreat, a popular gathering spot for young people, is also frequently affected.

According to Do Huu The, Director of Ba Vi National Park and Head of the Forest Ranger Unit, staff are regularly reminding visitors to protect the park's natural beauty. Most identified violators are students.

A couple breaking wild sunflowers on 24/11. Photo: Viet Khoa

A couple breaking wild sunflowers on 24/11. Photo: Viet Khoa

Viet Khoa, a photographer working in the Ba Vi National Park area, stated that he has frequently reminded visitors about damaging the flowers but finds it "impossible to keep up". He expressed disappointment, saying, "It is disappointing that while National Park staff care for the flowers for visitors to admire, some selfish individuals pick them for photos, depriving later visitors of the chance to enjoy the view."

Hoang Dung, a visitor from Hanoi, shared his frustration after visiting Ba Vi National Park on 23/11. He observed many people breaking large branches to "take better photos". After taking pictures, these branches were discarded by the roadside, marring the scenery. In some areas, Dung even saw wild sunflower plants uprooted and lying by the road.

Wild sunflowers broken near the ticket gate area. Photo: Viet Khoa

Wild sunflowers discarded by the roadside. Photo: Viet Khoa

A couple breaking large wild sunflower branches. Photo: Quynh Trok

In November, the peak wild sunflower season, Ba Vi National Park welcomed 70,000 to 80,000 visitors, mostly students, who came to admire the flowers. To address the ongoing issue, representatives from Ba Vi National Park stated that forest rangers will collaborate with local police to conduct awareness campaigns and remind visitors to comply with park regulations in the coming period.

Ba Vi National Park is located about 60 km west of central Hanoi. Spanning over 9,700 ha, it encompasses seven communes and wards across Hanoi and Phu Tho. The park is known for its fresh, cool climate and beautiful natural landscapes.

Wild sunflowers, also known as cuc quy, son quy, wild sunflowers, or Mexican sunflowers, are easy to grow and spread quickly, blooming in late autumn and early winter. Each flower typically has 10 to 12 petals and measures 8 to 10 cm in diameter.

Hoai Anh