At the end of the year, when the cold winds sweep across the high mountains of Northwest Vietnam, Xim Vang commune in Son La province dons a gentle spring cloak with the blossoming of wild peach trees across the hills and valleys. Quiet and peaceful, Xim Vang appears unspoiled and serene, like a tranquil spring corner amidst the vast wilderness.

From the center of Ta Xua commune, visitors travel about 20 km along a winding road through the mountain slopes to Xim Vang. The small road following the mountainside opens up to a typical highland landscape: terraced rice fields arranged in soft layers, the late afternoon sun painting the hillsides golden, and glimpses of houses with corrugated iron or wooden roofs nestled among the trees and peach blossoms.

In the final days of the year, the wild peach blossoms of Xim Vang bloom profusely, covering the H'Mong villages in pink. The flowers are not as densely petaled or ostentatious as cultivated peach blossoms in the lowlands, but possess a simple, pristine beauty. Their delicate petals flutter in the afternoon sun, standing out against the deep green of the mountains and forests, creating a unique spring scene in Xim Vang.

Peach trees here grow naturally, interspersed among the fields, along the streams, and beside the houses. Some trees are old, with gnarled trunks and bare branches, but every time Tet (Lunar New Year) comes around, they burst forth with clusters of delicate pink blossoms, signaling the arrival of a new year. Beneath the peach trees, the rhythm of life for the people continues slowly: H'Mong men diligently tending to their crops, children sitting on the porches, and dogs barking echoing in the late afternoon in the highlands.

Besides its peach blossoms, Xim Vang is also captivating with its pristine natural beauty. In the early mornings, mist hangs gently over the mountain slopes, and the terraced rice fields appear hazy through thin clouds. When the sun rises, the entire landscape brightens, the pink of the peach blossoms blending with the green of the forest and the golden hues of the sunlight, creating a scene that is both majestic and poetic.

Visiting Xim Vang at the end of the year, tourists not only get to admire the flowers but also have the opportunity to fully experience the early Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere of the H'Mong people. It's the simple wooden houses with red flags hanging on the porches, the neatly stacked firewood against the wall, and the tranquil way of life closely connected to the mountains and forests. All of this creates a very authentic and intimate Xim Vang, making people want to slow down and enjoy it.

Not as famous as Moc Chau or Sa Pa, Xim Vang still retains its pristine beauty, untouched by tourism. This makes it an ideal destination for those who want to reconnect with nature and experience a rustic spring amidst the mountains of Northwest Vietnam.

At the end of the year, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, try visiting Xim Vang once, standing under the canopy of blooming wild peach blossoms, breathing in the mountain breeze, and listening to spring whispering amidst the vast forest.

 

Van Giang/ Photo by Nguyen Trong Cung