Thái Bình in mid-March: ancient red silk-cotton trees burst into fiery bloom
Once you fall under the spell of these ancient red silk-cotton trees, flower-hunting enthusiasts have little choice but to grab a backpack and hit the road.
March is often called the festival month in Vietnam, and every year at this time many people rush off on trips and outings. In particular, many find it hard to resist heading out to photograph the red silk-cotton trees (Bombax ceiba, known in Vietnamese as "hoa gạo") as they burst into bloom.
The red silk-cotton tree is familiar to almost everyone and grows in many places. Recently, however, internet users were left "heart-struck" after discovering a "sky" covered in stunning silk-cotton blossoms. It is not far away at all: it is the former Thái Bình province in northern Vietnam, now part of Hưng Yên province.
In a post on a travel check-in group, a Facebook user shared gorgeous, highly poetic shots of a series of red silk-cotton trees in full bloom in Thái Bình.
Twin silk-cotton trees beside Quán communal house (Đình Quán), Quang Bình commune, in the former Kiến Xương district of Thái Bình. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
Each photo was taken at a different spot in this gentle, endearing land. From Quang Bình to Kiến Xương, you cannot help but be amazed when you see with your own eyes the dreamy beauty of ancient silk-cotton trees whose crimson flowers light up the sky.
A simple, rustic yet deeply poetic beauty. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
Silk-cotton flowers blanket a patch of sky in red. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
A silk-cotton tree beside the gate of the Đình Ngái historical and cultural relic site (Ngái communal house), Thái Bình. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
Beneath the post, thousands of comments quickly poured in, marvelling at the beauty of the silk-cotton trees of Thái Bình. Many people also eagerly invited friends to make a "silk-cotton tree tour" to take photos to their heart's content.
A scene that has set many hearts fluttering with its peace and tranquility. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
"There really are lots of silk-cotton trees in Thái Bình. Every time I come home for the Thanh Minh tomb-sweeping festival, I get to admire them in glorious bloom,"
"So beautiful and peaceful. A piece of the Vietnamese countryside soul, utterly captivating,"
"I suggest we schedule it right away so our team can do a 'silk-cotton tree tour' this April."
This ancient silk-cotton tree stands right at the gate of the lower secondary school in Thái Thịnh commune, in the former Thái Thụy district of Thái Bình. (Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
(Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
(Photo: Vũ Ngọc Thiện - Checkin Việt Nam)
Perhaps no one can ignore the stirring, brilliant beauty of silk-cotton blossoms. Their blazing red lights up a whole corner of the sky and leaves onlookers endlessly enchanted. Because the flowering season is fairly short, people treasure these blooms all the more.
So, flower-"hunting" travellers, are you ready for a "silk-cotton tour" across Thái Bình? Pack your bag and hurry over to enjoy the view and capture some beautiful moments with the ancient silk-cotton trees here.
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