Plum blossoms have begun blooming earlier than usual in parts of Moc Chau Plateau in Son La Province, attracting tourists and photographers to local orchards.

Several plum gardens in Na Ka Valley, a well-known plum-growing area, have reported early flowering. At Ban Moc Farm in Tan Yen Commune, garden owner Vu Trung Hai said his family’s orchard of around 300 mature plum trees, averaging 25 years old, is currently in full white bloom.

Hai said the early flowering is the result of controlled bud-stimulation techniques applied by growers. The method alters the trees’ natural growth cycle, allowing them to flower and set fruit earlier than normal. To reduce the risk of crop loss and prevent all trees from flowering at the same time, orchard owners in the area stagger the application of flowering stimulants in intervals of 10 to 15 days. This approach helps extend the blooming season by one to two months. Extending the flowering period gives visitors more time to explore the orchards and helps stabilize income for plum growers, he added. Set against mountainous terrain, the white plum blossoms create a striking landscape across Na Ka Valley. Depending on weather conditions, each flowering phase typically lasts one to two weeks before the trees shift to fruit development.

Other orchards in the valley are also experiencing early blooms. Anh Tuyet, owner of Anh Tuyet Plum Garden, said her family currently has seven orchards in bloom, with staggered flowering expected to continue through the Lunar New Year holiday. Each orchard maintains peak viewing conditions for seven to 15 days. Her orchards also offer traditional H’Mong ethnic costumes for rent to meet the growing demand for photography and sightseeing. The early blossom season has also created opportunities for visitors to engage with local residents and learn about plum cultivation and rural life in Moc Chau.