Plum blossoms in Chiềng Cơi ward bloom, covering the hills and mountains in white.

The plum orchards attract a large number of locals and tourists every season as they come to visit and experience the blossoming flowers.

In recent years, when mentioning plum blossoms, many people often think of Moc Chau; however, the plum blossom season in the Chieng Coi and Chieng An wards is gradually asserting its own unique appeal, spreading from the highlands to the inner city, creating a harmonious spring scene between nature and the urban life of the mountainous region.

The young women are graceful in their traditional Thai ethnic costumes.

The charm of young women from the Thai ethnic minority in Son La.

Currently, in Chiềng Cơi ward, plum blossoms are in full bloom on the hillsides. Early in the morning, when the mist still hangs lightly, the mountains and hills seem to be draped in a delicate, pure white cloak. Without having to travel far, locals and tourists can enjoy the spring atmosphere and take impressive photos with this simple yet elegant flower.

Leaving the city center, along National Highway 6, the plum blossoms continue to stretch out, creating a gentle highlight along the winding curves. Passing through Bản Hôm, Bản Hùn, and the bypass road, plum blossoms bloom along the roadside, standing out against the green backdrop of the mountains and forests. The plum orchards along the highway become natural stopping points where tourists can temporarily set aside their journey, leisurely admire the flowers, and breathe in the fresh spring scent.

Tourists take souvenir photos at Chiềng Cọ farm Prunus Hill plum orchard, Hôm village, Chiềng Cơi ward.

According to photographers, the ideal time to capture the most beautiful moments is about 30 minutes before sunset.

During his exploration of the Northwest mountain passes, Mr. Do Thanh Trong, a tourist from Phu Tho province, chose Son La as his destination. Mr. Trong shared: "What impressed me most were the mountain passes covered in white plum blossoms, so beautiful and natural, almost untouched by mass tourism. Just stopping the car by the roadside and stepping into the plum orchards allows you to enjoy a peaceful and fresh atmosphere; the local people are honest and hospitable, creating a unique charm of the Northwest."

Modernized traditional costumes are a popular choice for many young people to capture memorable moments with plum blossoms.

The children looked radiant in their traditional ao dai dresses.

One of the most popular tourist attractions is the approximately 5,000 m² plum orchard belonging to the family of Le Thi Khuyen in Hom village, Chieng Coi ward. Sharing about this model, Ms. Khuyen said: "Our family's plum orchard isn't very large, but because it's located right on National Highway 6, we can proactively open it to visitors for sightseeing and taking photos every flowering season. Initially, we only provided a place for tourists to stop and admire the scenery, but the number of visitors has increased, bringing in additional income and giving the family more motivation to care for the orchard and maintain its green, clean, and beautiful landscape."

Pure plum blossoms

Young woman posing for photos with plum blossoms.

Beyond simply sightseeing and taking photos during the plum blossom season, visitors to Chiềng Cơi ward also have the opportunity to learn about the cultural life of the Thái ethnic minority. Beside the traditional stilt houses, the image of brocade scarves drying in front of the houses, standing out against the backdrop of white plum blossoms, creates a distinctive cultural highlight. Along with traditional costumes, the traditional dances and ethnic cuisine enrich the visitor experience, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of local cultural values ​​and creating an attraction for tourism development.

Families choose plum orchards during the flowering season to capture beautiful moments with their loved ones.

Thai girls in traditional costumes stand out amidst the white plum blossoms in Son La.

The plum orchards in Chiềng Cơi ward are in full bloom, inspiring photographers to come and take pictures and create artwork.

Recognizing the potential for tourism development, Chiềng Cơi ward is guiding its people to exploit the advantages of its landscape associated with agriculture, including plum orchards and fruit trees, combined with traditional cultural experiences; researching the development of community tourism villages, planning areas for agricultural tourism and ecotourism development to create stable livelihoods for the people, while preserving the living space and cultural identity.

Ms. Dam Thi Mai Huong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Coi Ward, said: The ward has identified sustainable tourism development, not only attracting tourists during the plum blossom season but also aiming to create livelihoods and increase long-term income for the people. The planning and organization of sightseeing activities are placed within the overall context of protecting the natural landscape, without disrupting the ecological space and community life. People are encouraged to participate in tourism through specific actions such as maintaining clean orchards and houses, cultivating and caring for plum trees in an environmentally friendly manner; and simultaneously improving awareness and service attitudes to create an attractive, friendly destination that retains tourists.

Plum orchards are in full bloom in Chiềng Cơi ward.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the rustic beauty of plum blossoms and the cultural atmosphere of the Northwest region are spreading, contributing to attracting tourists and enriching the province's tourism landscape with diversity, uniqueness, and vitality every spring. With a development orientation that integrates agriculture with tourism, along with solutions to preserve traditional cultural values, Chiềng Cơi ward is gradually establishing itself as a destination that attracts tourists every spring.

Thu Thao