According to Hieu and many local residents, the cherry blossoms on the tea hill were brought from Yunnan, China. The trees are planted interspersed along paths between the tea hills.

Located about 8 km from Sapa town center, O Quy Ho tea hill, also known as Sapa tea hill, is a familiar stop for tourists. It is especially popular during the cherry blossom season, which runs annually from late December to January. From above, the combination of green tea leaves and pink cherry blossoms creates a captivating scene under the sun.

Photographer Hoang Trung Hieu, a Sapa resident, captured these final images of the tea hill before its transformation into an ecological urban area.

The weather in O Quy Ho changes constantly, almost embodying four seasons in one day. At times, the sky is shrouded in mist, while at others, it is as bright and sunny as a summer day.

While managed by a private enterprise and not originally a tourist destination, access to the tea hill is usually restricted. However, during the blossom season, the company often opens its gates for free, allowing visitors to take photos.

"On peak days, hundreds of visitors queue to enter", Hieu stated.

A photographic angle captures a rich palette of colors and a "cinematic" composition, according to Hieu.

Compared to other notable tea hills in the northern region, such as Long Coc, O Quy Ho tea hill stands out for its frequent "sea of clouds" phenomenon, Hieu explained.

"The combination of a sea of clouds and cherry blossoms creates a spectacular scene rarely found elsewhere in Vietnam", Hieu said, noting that he always visits during the blossom season to capture photos.

O Quy Ho tea hill gained prominence in 2018 after several photographers serendipitously captured and shared moments on social media.

On Sapa travel forums, many expressed regret over the tea hill's relocation for the construction of an ecological urban area. The managing enterprise has not yet announced the new location for the trees after their relocation.

The O Quy Ho area features about 1,800 trees, with O Long tea hill specifically known for its long rows of trees, creating a visually appealing landscape for visitors.

Cherry blossoms are woody trees that typically shed all their leaves from October to November annually, before blooming in December and lasting until January.

As of 9/12, an aerial view of the tea hill showed that some trees had already been dug up and extensively pruned.

The O Quy Ho Tea Hill Ecological Urban Area project is being developed by the Hong Phong - Ecopark Hai Duong joint venture. The project spans nearly 30 hectares, including commercial housing, commercial service facilities, and social infrastructure. Over 16 hectares of land are planned for the construction of 403 townhouses and villas, three to four stories high, with finished exteriors.

Hoai Anh

Photos: Hoang Trung Hieu