Expansive fields of Hải Dương root blossoms

Right at the foot of Côn Sơn Mountain, beneath the vast pine forest lies a sprawling expanse of interwoven root trees. A vibrant green hue catches the eye, dotted with tiny white blossoms and the faint scent of tranquility, creating a serene beauty in the Northern countryside.

Expansive fields of Hải Dương root blossoms

Approximately 70km from Hanoi, beneath the majestic Côn Sơn Mountain, just over 1km from the historical site of Côn Sơn, in Chí Linh town, Hải Dương, lies the sprawling fields of root blossoms, ripe for autumn harvest.

The lush green roots swaying in the breeze beckon all to kick off their shoes and glide across the mesmerizing waves. Standing by the roadside, gazing at the bare roots after the harvest still exudes a rustic and poetic beauty.

Ask the people of Chí Linh, and none are unfamiliar with the roots. Some can even recount the intricate legends surrounding their origins.

The tree known as 'Root' is also referred to as the 'Thành Hao' tree. Locals call it the 'Root' tree because after harvesting, its roots are dried and used to make root brooms, which people often use to sweep rice fields, removing small particles, rice husks, and debris mixed in with the rice, as well as cement.

Due to its pleasant scent, the 'Root' tree is also utilized for medicinal purposes. Those suffering from stomach aches can burn the root broom to inhale its fragrance, alleviating the pain.

The 'Root' tree has been cultivated for centuries, possibly even hundreds of years, since the time when 'grandfather planted pines, and grandmother planted roots', as a vendor at the Côn Sơn relic site mentioned. It is even rumored that during the Tran Dynasty, when Tran Nguyen Dan retired to live in seclusion, he planted pine trees on Mount Côn Sơn, while his wife steadfastly planted roots at the foot of the mountain.

Nowadays, pine trees and roots are two familiar types of trees, symbolic of the Chí Linh land of talented people and miraculous landscapes. The saying 'grandfather planted pines, and grandmother planted roots' has become a common phrase among the locals.

The ancient roots have been cultivated for generations, year after year. People only cut off branches to make brooms, while the main roots remain untouched over time. The fallen pine needles also contribute to forming a thick layer of humus.

The 'Root' tree isn't tall, only reaching the height of rice plants, approximately 0.5 – 1m. Its leaves are small, resembling pine needles, less than 1cm long, arranged in circular clusters around the branches. The branches have a dark brown color, with older and larger branches being darker, while younger branches are yellowish, slightly tinged with brown.

The white flowers of the root tree emerge from between the leaves, with relatively large green sepals compared to the flower. As they age, the flowers fall off, leaving behind sepals gradually turning brown, resembling the fruit of the tree.

Notably, the tree emits a distinctive, lightly fragrant aroma. Walking along the road, even a sudden gust of wind carries the faint, refreshing fragrance of the root tree.

Walking through the village lanes during the planting season, one can see yards filled with drying root trees. After being exposed to the sun until they curl up and dry, the leaves are removed, bundled, and taken away for weighing.

Ms. H, a hired root cutter, mentioned that the roots are 'cut and sold to the cement company, which uses them for sweeping.' Priced at around 5,000 VND/kg, she also noted that cutting roots is not as easy as cutting rice because the stems are much tougher.

'If it were as easy as rice, it wouldn't be tiring. Without effort, the tree wouldn't be as valuable as it is now,' she said.

As the harvesting season approaches, the root fields are bustling with people cutting roots. Roots are typically harvested around late October to early November because the dry season allows them to dry quickly. After the root cutting is done, the spring rains are approaching, and the roots regrow rapidly.

In June, locals sometimes go for root trimming. However, it's merely pruning, not the main harvesting season.

The root fields are picturesque, humble, and rustic, attracting many visitors for photography. Every day, there are visitors coming to take pictures. Some travelers from distant places venture here just to admire the simple beauty of this place.

Many couples opt for this dreamy field for their wedding photoshoots. However, due to many people damaging the trees while taking photos, the locals here have to carefully watch over them. Young visitors who want to take pictures should stand on the edge of the field, and if they enter the field, they should tread lightly, being careful not to step on the trees.

By Phuong Hue/Tuoi Tre

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour