Along the winding Mang Den mountain pass in central Vietnam, a small forest of giant crape myrtle trees beneath Dak Rve Bridge briefly transforms the mountainside each year, drawing travelers to slow down and take notice.

Located in Dak Rve Commune in Quang Ngai Province, the nearly-one-hectare patch of forest has no signs, no services, and no official designation as a tourist site.

Yet during its short leaf-changing season, it becomes a natural focal point amid the vast highland landscape.

Thousands of giant crape myrtle trees shed their leaves in staggered fashion, turning the slope into a mosaic of pale green, yellow, orange, and deep red.

Because the color change does not occur simultaneously, the forest appears to shift with each angle and changing light.

From above, the trees line a stream that runs beneath the bridge, with their tall, straight trunks reflected in clear water below.

At the center of the grove, a small waterfall spills down a rock face, its white current cutting through the stillness of the forest and contrasting with the warm tones of the foliage.

In the morning, sunlight filters through the canopy, highlighting individual patches of color.

By the afternoon, softer light casts the forest in more muted shades, giving the scene a quiet, settled feel.

Many travelers say they are surprised to encounter such a seasonal display along Mang Den Pass, which is better known for its cool year-round climate, winding roads, and largely untouched scenery.

“I’ve been to Mang Den many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen the giant crape myrtle forest change color so clearly,” said Nguyen Minh Thuan, a visitor from Da Nang, who stopped on the bridge to take photographs.

“Looking down from above, it feels more like a film scene than real life.”

Drivers passing through the area often pull over briefly to watch, take photos, or fly drones, even if only for a short stop in an otherwise continuous journey.

According to local residents, the leaf-changing season occurs only once a year, lasts just a few weeks, and depends heavily on weather conditions.

Once the reds and yellows fade, the forest returns quietly to its familiar green, blending back into the mountainside beneath the bridge.

Unmarked and uncrowded, the giant crape myrtle forest’s brief transformation has become an unexpected highlight for nature-loving travelers, offering a fleeting but distinctive moment along the Mang Den route.