Each March, as you journey along National Highway 14G towards the lush mountains of western Da Nang, the vibrant bloom of rì rừng flowers captivates your spirit. These wild blossoms flourish along forest paths, streams, and scenic viewpoints, embodying the region’s essence—especially at the famed “flower stream,” creating a vivid portrait of springtime in Quang’s highlands.
From Hoa Phu Commune (Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City) towards Ba and Tu Communes (Dong Giang District, Quang Nam Province), the rì rừng flowers grace the streambanks, gently enhancing the poetic beauty of the landscape.
Blooming just once a year, between March and mid-April, these flowers appear in solitude or clustered in groups, often nestled by rocks or waterways in the highland forests of Da Nang and Quang Nam. Their subtle yet striking presence softens the grandeur of the surrounding wilderness, reminding us of the fleeting beauty of nature.
The wide canopies of the trees arch over streams adorned with dense, symmetrical foliage. From these green crowns, thousands of tiny blossoms burst forth in radiant clusters, cloaking the entire tree in a vibrant bouquet – an exquisite sight against the raw, untouched forest backdrop.
Along Highway 14G, travelers are greeted by the sight of rì rừng flowers in full bloom at popular tourist spots. A poetic view at Toom Sara Co Tu Cultural Village (Phu Tuc Hamlet, Hoa Phu Commune, Hoa Vang District) showcases how these blossoms transform the landscape.
Known by names such as “hoa trang rừng” or “hoa trang nước”, “rì rừng” belongs to the Rubiaceae family. In season, these flowers dazzle with hues shifting from golden yellow to orange to fiery red, accompanied by a gentle, pleasant fragrance.
For the Co Tu ethnic community, rì rừng transcends beauty; it is an integral part of their cultural identity. Its image weaves into traditional brocade patterns and graces community festivals and significant cultural rituals, underscoring the profound connection the Co Tu people have with these flowers.
Blooming along mountain streams, rì rừng creates the dreamy vision of a “flower stream” – an iconic image of spring in the heart of the highlands. Beyond Da Nang, rì rừng flowers also grace locations like the Tà Má Stream (Vinh Thanh District, Binh Dinh Province) and the Van Hoa Plateau (Son Hoa and Tuy An Districts, Phu Yen Province).
The brilliant blooms of rì rừng infuse the natural scenery with vibrancy and enhance the allure of Hoa Phu, an ideal retreat nestled in the majestic mountains of western Da Nang. It invites travelers near and far to explore and reconnect with the beauty of nature.
DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
Photo credit: @son_dx (Doan X. Son)
