During the final days of March and early April in the Gregorian calendar, Quang Tri travelers on the historic Ho Chi Minh route will be treated to the spectacle of blooming trareu flowers, creating a dreamy natural masterpiece.
Discover Quang Tri: Enchanted by the Blooming Trareu Flowers along the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Trareu trees showcase diversity in their species, with different regions boasting various types. Although they share a single-petaled flower type, some have blush pink petals, while others elegantly cascade in shades of purple. The sight of distant trareu flowers appears pristine white, yet in specific areas, they emanate a subtle hue of light purple. Some flowers feature five petals, while others flaunt seven or eight.

In Vietnam, trareu varieties like wrinkled trareu (Vernicia Montana) and smooth trareu (Vernicia fordii) are more prevalent. However, sightings of trareu flowers resembling Vernicia Cordata – a species more common in Japan – are not uncommon. Trareu trees favor moisture and light, blossoming abundantly during the season, defying all weather adversities.

Explore Quang Tri: Heading west, travelers will encounter picturesque roads adorned with rows of trareu trees. These trees line the lengthy roads, leaning against the mountains to proudly display their vibrant colors. Among these areas, the highest concentration of trareu flowers and the most beautiful blossoms can be found in villages along the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh trail.

In Quang Tri, trareu trees typically thrive in dry, well-drained soil, either in sparse or dense forest areas. With heights ranging from 10 to 15 meters, they have expansive canopies. During the season, trareu flowers bloom abundantly on all branches, creating a sensation akin to a white cotton ball tree when viewed from a distance.

Trareu flowers bloom for about two weeks, followed by scattered and extended blossoms lasting around a month. Six months later, trareu fruits begin to ripen and naturally fall. Locals venture into the forests to collect and extract the seeds, selling them to traders at prices ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 per kilogram of dried seeds. This serves as a significant source of income for many Van Kieu and Pa Co families living in the Ho Chi Minh trail area.

Apart from trareu flowers, while exploring Quang Tri along the Ho Chi Minh trail, visitors may also encounter blooming jasmine and daisy flowers showcasing their vibrant colors. Additionally, tourists can visit other captivating destinations such as the eco-tourism points of Chenh Venh Waterfall, Ta Puong Waterfall, and Sa Mu Pass.

As per Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourApril 21, 2023