Published:  13:39 Wednesday - December 29, 2010

Visitors to the northern town of Sapa at this time will be welcomed by the enthralling sight of the cherry blossoms blooming early this year.

After some chilly days with the temperature dropping down to 5 degrees centigrade, the flowers, which came from Japan, are now sparkling under the warm sunlight. The sight has caught the eyes of visitors as well as local people to come and snap some photos.

According to chairman of the Sapa District People’s Committee, Le Duc Luan, these flower trees were a gift from the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association on the 100th anniversary of Sapa Town in October 2003.

“The land and climate in Sapa is suitable for the trees to grow very well,” Luan said. “Some among the 100 trees grown at the gate of the People’s Committee’s headquarter have become big trees and blossom with beautiful flowers every December.”

A local photographer named Pham Gia Chien, said that the blossoms will be visible until the new year. “There are two places where visitors can admire the flowers: on Ham Rong Mountain and around the lake in Sapa Town’s centre.”