March in An Giang: Admiring the Radiant Beauty of Lip Flowers

The lips of the Southwest, while not as ostentatious as roses, boast a delicate and vibrant beauty, rivaling the cherry blossoms of Da Lat.

March in An Giang: Revel in the Splendor of Lip Flowers

There are various explanations for the name 'lip flower.' Some say it's because when eating the fruit picked from the tree, the lips turn from red to deep black ('black' in Chinese is 'ô'). Others believe it's due to the many compartments inside the fruit, each resembling a part of the flesh, hence called 'lip flower.' The lip tree originates from South America, belonging to the grape family, with a tall trunk ranging from 10 to 20 meters. The flowers bloom in clusters, sparsely arranged with a faint pink hue, gracefully dangling amidst the fallen leaves.

The beauty of lip flowers has deeply woven into the spiritual life of the people in the Mekong Delta. It's reflected in the famous song 'Bông ô môi' and resonates in simple, intimate poems, much like the lives of those living amidst the rivers and waters:

The most beautiful and vibrant season of lip flowers is at the end of March, the beginning of April, when the early-season rains hurriedly arrive and swiftly depart. Under the brilliant sunshine of March, the color of lip flowers shines with a gentle and refined pink, alleviating the relentless heat of the flatlands. Roads adorned with numerous lip flowers are submerged in pink, so bright that it seems only flowers exist, without any leaves. The lip flower season extends for several months, enveloping the sky in the serene countryside.

Discovering the Subtle Beauty of Lip Trees in the Mekong Delta

From afar, the canopy of lip trees resembles a tall, proud pink torch. In the past, Long Xuyen had a ferry named O Moi, and this area used to be abundant with lip trees. However, today, this place no longer hosts this tree species. As lip trees grow wild and haven't been extensively cultivated for tourism, apart from the Vinh Trach area, tourists visiting An Giang need the guidance of local 'earth guardians' to find and admire the blooming lip trees.

Lip trees aren't just beautiful when in bloom, showcasing their colors to the world; their dried fruits are also a tempting delicacy, especially for children. After blooming for nearly a year, lip fruits begin to dry. The long, rough lip fruits resemble large black sticks, about the size of a child's wrist, measuring around five or six spans. With each gust of wind, the lip fruits collide, creating a rhythmic sound like a countryside symphony. Dried lip fruits have a crunchy, sweet, spicy taste with a distinctive and unforgettable aroma.

In An Giang during March, besides marveling at the blossoming lip flowers, tourists can explore other attractions such as Forbidden Mountain, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, or visit the fish sauce kingdom at the Chau Doc market.

Source: Ngoisao

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Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour