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The yellow apricot blossom (scientific name: Ochna integerrima) is a flower deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, particularly during the Lunar New Year. The brilliant yellow color of these blossoms signals the arrival of a new spring, bringing hope for prosperity, good fortune, and happiness. Let's explore this special flower with Vietnam Airlines through this article.
The yellow apricot blossom is the most common and familiar name for this flower, especially in southern Vietnam. In the ancient capital of Hue, the flower is also known as Golden Apricot Blossom, which translates to "royal apricot blossom" or "golden apricot blossom of the royal family," emphasizing its noble beauty. Scientifically, the yellow apricot blossom is officially known as Ochna integerrima, belonging to the Ochnaceae family.
The yellow apricot blossom is the most common and familiar name for this flower, especially in southern Vietnam (Source: Internet)
This iconic flower stands out not just for its vivid color but also for its unique growth patterns and form.
The yellow apricot blossom has delicate petals, typically featuring 5 small petals with bright golden colors. However, the diversity of yellow apricot blossoms shows in the premium varieties, where layers of petals stack on top of each other densely, sometimes reaching up into 36 petals, creating more brilliant and magnificent flowers.
The difference also lies in the number of petals, from the traditional five petals to dozens of petals in precious varieties. While golden yellow is the main color, some variants or hybrid varieties may have different shades of yellow, from bright lemon yellow to warm orange-yellow, enriching the beauty of this flower.
The yellow apricot blossom has delicate petals, typically featuring 5 small petals
The yellow apricot blossom typically blooms during the Lunar New Year, from late December to early January (lunar calendar). Having apricot blossoms bloom on the first day of the new year is extremely important, bringing wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Therefore, the growers often apply sophisticated techniques like leaf pruning or adjusting watering amounts to encourage flowers to bloom at the perfect "golden" moment.
Especially in northern Vietnam, yellow apricot blooms trees in the Yen Tu mountain area can bloom later, extending into the second lunar month. This creates a unique and spiritual spring landscape amid the sacred Yen Tu mountains.
The yellow apricot blossom typically blooms during the Lunar New Year with the meaning of wellness and prosperity
The yellow apricot thrives in tropical climates, making it well-suited to Southern and Central Vietnam. It prefers warm temperatures and abundant sunlight. The soil conditions also play an important role, with well-draining and fertile soil being preferred for optimal growth.
The yellow apricot thrives in tropical climates, suited to the Southern and Central Vietnam
The world of yellow apricot blossoms is incredibly diverse, with many different types, each carrying its own unique beauty:
The Red Apricot Blossom (Hoa mai do): This is the Moc Qua variety originating from China and Japan. The flowers have five petals transitioning from red to pink, lasting up to a month.
The Red Apricot Blossom has five petals ,with the meaning of propensity and luck (Source: Internet)
The Marigold Apricot Blossom (Mai cuc van tho): The highlight is the wavy petals stacked on top of each other, from 30 to 50 petals, with brown-orange stamens. This flower variety is suitable for growing in southern regions.
The Marigold Apricot Blossom is special for its wavy petals and the colorful appearance (Source: Internet)
The Orange Apricot Blossom (Hoa mai cam): Deep yellow petals and dark green leaves, prized for their longevity.
The Orange Apricot Blossom has a deep yellow tone with 24 petals (Source: Internet)
The Platinum Apricot Blossom (Mai giao bach kim): The flowers have 8 to 12 petals with large, strong, long-lasting blooms in characteristic bright yellow. The leaves are long, pointed, and with white marble spots.
The Fortune Yellow Apricot Blossom (Mai dai loc): This apricot variety has 10 to over 30 petals per flower, with large, round, thick flowers in eye-catching deep yellow. With its meaning of prosperity and high durability, this flower is loved by many people for displaying at home during the Lunar New Year.
The Fortune Yellow Apricot Blossom is the symbol of prosperity and high durability (Source: Internet)
The Water Jasmine (Mai chieu thuy): This plant belongs to the Apocynaceae family with small flowers, pure white color, and blooms in clusters. The highlight of this flower is its flexible stem, easy to bend and shape into artistic bonsai with unique poses.
In addition, the western river region of Ben Tre is famous for its special fragrant yellow apricot variety. Central Vietnam has a type of yellow apricot with large stems and sturdy wood called "stone apricot" (mai da), with sturdy wooden stems, large and long-lasting flowers that grow naturally in coastal forests, carrying a wild, strong beauty.
Yellow apricot blossoms have deeply penetrated Vietnamese consciousness, becoming meaningful feng shui and cultural symbols. This flower is closely connected to spiritual life and wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Attracting luck and prosperity: The brilliant golden color of apricot blossoms is compared to gold and precious gems. Having a yellow apricot tree bloom in the house during Tet is considered a good omen for wealth and business success. The more petals and blooms, the more fortune is believed to come.
People in Southern Vietnam often display apricot blossoms with fruit trays on the Lunar New Year holiday to pray for luck and fortune
Representing health and longevity: The apricot blossom tree symbolizes vigorous vitality and resilience as it blooms through cold weather when spring arrives, representing longevity and abundant health. Placing yellow apricots in the house during the Lunar New Year is a wish for energy and health for all family members.
Peaceful beginnings and happiness: Blooming apricot flowers bring joy and a warm atmosphere to families during the Lunar New Year. They signal a new beginning with favorable conditions and promising developments ahead.
The yellow apricot blossoms are often decorated with parallel sentences that have good meanings
Containing spiritual and historical values: In the Yen Tu mountain area, yellow apricots connect to the legend of King Tran Nhan Tong, who planted the first apricot trees when he practiced Buddhism. This makes Yen Tu yellow apricots a "treasure" of Vietnamese nature and culture.
Visitors can choose these famous locations below to admire the beautiful yellow apricot blossom and bring it home to celebrate the Lunar New Year:
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market (Ho Chi Minh City): This is one of the largest and most vibrant flower markets in Ho Chi Minh City, especially bustling during the Lunar New Year. You can get lost in a "forest" of all types of yellow apricots, from cute mini apricot pots to ancient apricot trees with unique shapes.
September 23 Park (Ho Chi Minh City): The September 23 Park becomes one of the must-visit destinations in Ho Chi Minh City with its Spring Flower Market. You can easily find beautiful apricot trees of various sizes and prices while feeling the bustling Tet atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
The September 23 Park is one of the must-visit destinations in Ho Chi Minh City if you want to admire the colorful yellow apricot blossoms (Source: Internet)
Mekong Delta apricot gardens (Vinh Long, Ben Tre): Going down to western provinces like Vinh Long and Ben Tre, you will visit vast yellow apricot blossom gardens. These places gather many skilled apricot blossom-growing artisans, where you can admire and learn from gentle farmers.
Phuoc Kien Yellow Apricot Blossom Village (Nha Be, Ho Chi Minh City): Located not far from Ho Chi Minh City center, Phuoc Kien yellow apricot blossom village is one of the major suppliers for the Lunar New Year throughout the city and neighboring provinces. You will be amazed by thousands of apricot blossom trees blooming, creating an impressive golden landscape.
The Phuoc Kien yellow apricot blossom village is amazing with the landscape of a thousand flowers blooming (Source: Internet)
Traditional flower villages in Thua Thien Hue: In Thua Thien Hue, you will find yellow apricots grown extensively in traditional flower villages and areas around the city. The Hue yellow apricot blossoms are famous for their elegant beauty, light yellow petals, and characteristic fragrance.
Yen Tu Mountain (Quang Ninh): A unique destination for those who want to learn about yellow apricots connected to history and spirituality. You will find ancient yellow apricot blossom trees hundreds of years old, blooming brilliantly in the spiritual space of the Yen Tu relic complex.
Yen Tu Mountain is famous for its special yellow apricot blossom plant (Source: Internet)
The yellow apricot blossom, with its radiant beauty and deep symbolism, is a cultural cornerstone of Vietnamese Tet. It embodies hope, prosperity, resilience, and the artistic spirit of the Vietnamese people. Book your flight with Vietnam Airlines to travel throughout the country, discover the brilliant beauty of yellow apricots, and the traditional Lunar New Year’s atmosphere!
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