As in previous years, Cau Dat Tea Hill is the first location in Da Lat where cherry blossoms bloom. Local tourism professionals and residents reported that this year, the flowers in the area began blooming on Jan. 9, about two weeks later than last year.
Da Lat is about 300 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City.
Located 20 kilometers from the city center, Cau Dat Tea Hill is a well-known destination for visitors every spring. Photographer Pham Kim Nhan, a Da Lat resident, shared that while many trees have started to bloom, they have yet to reach full bloom across the entire hill.
"This year, Cau Dat Tea Hill isn't as crowded with photographers as last year," Nhan noted, adding that visitor numbers typically increase from the second day of Tet, which is Jan. 30 this year.
The cherry blossom trees at Cau Dat Tea Hill stand 5 to 7 meters tall with a canopy spread of 3 to 5 meters. The trees have thick trunks, similar to peach trees found in the northern mountains, but their flowers have five petals and stamens resembling apricot blossoms from the south.
To reach this spot, visitors can follow Tran Hung Dao - Hung Vuong route from the city center and follow the signs to Trai Mat Station. From there, they can ask locals for directions to the tea hill.
Nhan takes photos of the cherry blossoms early in the morning.
Da Lat's cherry blossoms bloom under favorable weather conditions, with warm daytime temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius and cooler mornings and evenings at 11-12 degrees Celsius. According to Nhan, the best time for photography is around 7 a.m. when the sky is clear, and the sunlight is soft. The midday sun can be harsh, and the afternoons are often cloudy.
A cherry blossom tree in full bloom at Cau Dat.
Kim Minh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, arrived in Da Lat on Jan. 15 and noted that the city was quiet as it was a weekday just before Tet. Minh visited Cau Dat Tea Hill early in the morning and found fewer than 10 visitors at the site.
"Right now, the flowers are not in full bloom and may not be as stunning as after Tet, but the upside is fewer crowds, making it easier to take photos. Navigating through the city is also more comfortable," Minh said.
Cau Dat Tea Hill is open to visitors for free, allowing them to enjoy the blossoms and take photos. Visitors are requested not to litter or pick the flowers.
Another location where cherry blossoms have started blooming is Mong Dao Nguyen, about 17 km from Da Lat's city center and 40 kilometers from Cau Dat Tea Hill.
Mong Dao Nguyen is a forested area behind the Langbiang Mountain slopes, home to hundreds of ancient cherry blossom trees that bloom around Tet.
Local photographer Sam Sam visited Mong Dao Nguyen on the morning of Jan. 16 and reported that the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom. The cherry blossom forest is vast, but the main area accessible to visitors has only about a dozen trees. Other blooming areas are located on hillsides or within coffee plantations, requiring permission from local farmers for closer access.
The route to Mong Dao Nguyen is considered challenging. Visitors can head toward Dankia Street from the city center and use GPS to locate "Mong Dao Nguyen" on the map.
"During Tet, the flowers here will reach their peak bloom," said Sam Sam.
Cherry blossoms blooming on Sao Nam Street, Ward 11, 7 kilometers from the city center, on Jan. 14. This is the first location near the city center where the flowers have begun to bloom.
Nhan mentioned that after Jan. 18, Da Lat is expected to experience sunny weather until the end of the month, creating ideal conditions for cherry blossoms to bloom in full splendor. This period also offers visitors the chance to capture cloud formations and sunsets.
"The days leading up to Tet in Da Lat are always beautiful, with fewer visitors and reasonable service prices," Nhan added.
