Northern Vietnam's rocky highlands turn pink as buckwheat flower season begins

The 12th Buckwheat Flower Festival officially opened on Sunday evening under the theme “Echoes of the Stone Highlands,” kicking off one of the region's most anticipated tourism seasons.

Each autumn, delicate buckwheat flowers emerge among the jagged limestone peaks of the plateau, transforming the rocky landscape into a colorful attraction for nature lovers and photographers.

The flowers are also deeply connected to the culture and daily lives of local ethnic communities, which have traditionally grown buckwheat as a food crop.

This year's festival features cultural performances, traditional crafts, local cuisine, and tourism activities celebrating the region's landscapes and ethnic heritage.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Do Hung Duc, vice-chairman of the Tuyen Quang People's Committee, emphasized the importance of developing tourism while preserving the region's natural environment and cultural identity.

Tourists flock to Dong Van,  award-winning Lo Lo Chai Village

The arrival of buckwheat flower season has brought a surge of visitors to Dong Van and nearby Lo Lo Chai Village, with accommodations filling up during the festival's opening days.

Lo Lo Chai, a traditional cultural tourism village located in Lung Cu Commune, was named one of the Best Tourism Villages of 2025 by UN Tourism.

Known for its traditional earthen houses and distinctive Lo Lo ethnic culture, the village has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking an authentic highland experience.

More than 1,000 accommodation rooms in Lo Lo Chai were booked ahead of the festival, reflecting strong demand for overnight stays.

Sung Manh Hung, a homestay owner in Dong Van, said visitor numbers typically surge during weekends, holidays, and festivals, advising tourists to book accommodations and plan dining arrangements in advance.

Meanwhile, Thuat Nguyen, administrator of a local travel review group, warned travelers to verify booking information carefully before making deposits, as accommodation scams tend to increase during the peak tourism season.

When and where to see buckwheat flowers

Buckwheat flowers, known in Vietnamese as tam giac mach, typically bloom from October to December across the northern highlands, with late October and November generally offering some of the most attractive displays.

The flowers gradually change from white to pink and deeper purple as they mature, creating a striking contrast against the gray limestone mountains.

For the 2026 season, Tuyen Quang has planned approximately 400 hectares of buckwheat fields across the Dong Van Karst Plateau, with planting staggered to extend the blooming period through December.

Popular viewing spots include Dong Van, Lung Cu, Tham Ma Pass, and areas near the Nho Que River, where travelers can combine flower viewing with mountain scenery and visits to ethnic villages.

The festival's cultural and tourism activities will continue through December, offering visitors more opportunities to discover the landscapes and traditions of Vietnam's northern highlands.