Yellow apricot blossoms: an unmissable flower for Tet celebrations

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The yellow apricot tree burst into a breathtaking display of golden blossom (Source: Collected)

As the Lunar New Year approaches, homes across Vietnam come alive with the vibrant and symbolic presence of the yellow apricot blossoms. These blossoms not only serve as ornamental decorations but also carry deep cultural and spiritual significance, making them an integral part of the Tet festivities. Let’s delve into the rich history and meaning behind the yellow apricot blossoms, exploring their role in ushering in the Vietnamese New Year with joy and hope.

1. The distinctive characteristics of yellow apricot blossoms

1.1. Appearance

• Mai dai loc (dai loc apricot blossoms): Known for their larger and thicker blooms with up to 36 stacked petals, these hybrid apricot blossoms offer a prolonged blooming period and vivid, colorful flowers.
• Mai chieu thuy (water’s reflection apricot blossoms): This unique apricot variety stands out with its pure white blossoms and a delicate fragrance, setting it apart from the traditional golden-yellow hue. Its robust yet flexible stems make it a favored choice for bonsai cultivation and indoor decoration, adding a touch of elegance to any space.
• Mai do (red apricot blossoms): This apricot variety, imported from China, has gained significant popularity in recent years. It’s characterized by its petite stature but remarkable ability to produce large and eye-catching red blossoms. What sets red apricot blossoms apart is their prolific blooming, making them ideal for indoor decorating or adorning work desks. These vibrant red blooms add a lively touch to any space.
• Mai truyen thong (traditional apricot blossoms): These are a perennial favorite, characterized by small, five-petal yellow blooms and large, long-lived trees that can endure for centuries. While their flowers are relatively modest and have fewer petals compared to hybrid varieties, they remain cherished for their cultural significance and enduring beauty.
• Mai tu quy (four seasons apricot blossoms): Originating from Thailand, these woody plants produce small yellow flowers with a distinct twist. After the yellow petals drop, the sepals gradually turn a vibrant red, forming a captivating red flower. This unique transformation makes them highly popular in Vietnam.

This unique combination of color and shape enhances their elegance and delicacy, making the yellow apricot blossoms the cherished flowers of Vietnam.

The yellow apricot flower tree, with its radiant blooms, adds a vibrant and festive touch to our Tet decorations (Source: Collected)

1.2. Fragrance

The fragrance of yellow apricot blossoms is a delicate, sweet scent that fills the air with a sense of freshness and renewal. It carries a subtle hint of floral notes, offering a soothing and inviting aroma that symbolizes the arrival of spring and new beginnings during Tet celebrations. The fragrance of these blossoms is not only a sensory delight but also a reminder of the joy and hope that the Lunar New Year brings to people’s lives.

The fragrance of yellow apricot blossoms is gentle and sweet (Source:Collected)

1.3. Time of blooming

The timing of apricot blossoms blooming is highly significant in Vietnamese Tet culture. Apricot blossoms typically bloom during the spring season, specifically from the end of the lunar month of December to the beginning of the lunar month of January, which corresponds to around mid-January to the end of February in the Gregorian calendar. 

To predict the blooming of apricot blossoms in time for the Tet festival, Vietnamese people follow a series of steps. Between the 7th and 10th of the 12th lunar month, if the tree doesn’t appear vigorous and small buds are evident, it suggests extended cold weather. In such cases, they defoliate the tree from the 13th to the 16th of the lunar month. For trees with many petals, defoliation may occur earlier, around the 4th to the 6th of the lunar month.

Before defoliation, they stop watering for 1-3 days, then defoliate, water thoroughly, and apply foliar fertilizer like 10-55-10 NPK fertilizer. By the 23rd of the 12th lunar month, if the buds open, it’s a good sign the flowers will bloom in time for Tet. Optimal watering times vary with temperature, avoiding early mornings and cool evenings.

These steps, observed meticulously, ensure that apricot blossoms bloom beautifully in typical Vietnamese houses in perfect harmony with the Tet festival.

Apricot blossoms typically bloom during the spring season (Source: Collected)

>>> Explore some Vietnamese New Year decorations to make your home more vibrant during the Tet holiday!

2. The cultural significance of yellow apricot blossoms

In Vietnamese culture, the yellow apricot blossoms (hoa mai) hold immense cultural and symbolic importance. While peach blossoms (hoa đào) are prominent in Northern Vietnam, the iconic yellow apricot blossoms are associated with South Vietnam, and their significance is embraced by Vietnamese people throughout the country, from North to South and even in Central Vietnam. The vibrant yellow color symbolizes prosperity and wealth.

Bringing an apricot tree home during Tet signifies a wish for a prosperous year. The belief is that the more petals on the apricot blossoms, the luckier and more prosperous the household will be in the coming year.

Apricot trees, with their deep roots and resilience against harsh weather, symbolize virtues such as patience, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people. They also represent nobility and prestige.

Yellow apricot blossoms, blooming every Tet, usher in the new year with hope for a prosperous and joyful year ahead. The color yellow represents hope, prosperity, and wealth, and adorning homes with potted apricot trees is a tradition aimed at inviting wealth, happiness, and warmth into the household.

The yellow apricot flower’s meaning extends beyond its vibrant beauty (Source: Collected)

>>> Discover some Vietnam holidays and enchant your trip with festivities throughout the year!

3. Where to admire yellow apricot blossoms during Tet Holiday?

If you’re seeking to experience the beauty and cultural significance of yellow apricot blossoms during the Tet holiday, here are some places you can consider: 

3.1. Yellow apricot flower villages

The yellow apricot flower villages are special places in Vietnam where the beauty of apricot blossoms comes to life, becoming an essential part of the Tet season. Here are some renowned apricot blossom Vietnamese villages across the country:

• Vo Dong Apricot Blossom Village, famous for its thriving apricot trees, has benefited from a climate that supports these beautiful blossoms for many years. Today, the village is home to over 10,000 apricot trees, making it a stunning sight during Tet.
• Mai Hao Duc in Binh Dinh has long been a trusted brand when it comes to apricot trees. The apricot trees here are known for their graceful appearance, thanks to the skilled hands of local artisans. They boast robust blossoms with vibrant colors and a pure fragrance, which is a result of absorbing the pristine essence of the countryside near the Con River at the foot of the city of Hoang de.
• Phuoc Dinh Yellow Apricot Village, located in the southwestern part of southern Vietnam, takes pride in its enchanting golden apricot blossoms. It’s an excellent destination for exploration and experiencing the beauty of apricot trees in a rustic rural setting.
• Thu Duc Flower Village, situated near Ho Chi Minh City, is known for the richness of apricot and peach trees during the Tet season. It’s a fascinating place to enjoy the lively atmosphere of spring and shop for various apricot trees.

Some famous yellow apricot blossom villages in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

3.2. Tet flower markets

Tet flower markets are a vibrant part of the Tet celebration in Vietnam, and you can find apricot blossoms in most of them, particularly in the southern, western, and central regions. Here are some of the well-known Vietnamese markets for yellow apricot blossoms in Ho Chi Minh City:

• 23/9 Park Flower Market
• Binh Dong Wharf Flower Market
• Gia Dinh Park Flower Market
• Binh Loi Flower Market
• Binh Dien Spring Flower Market
• Le Thi Rieng Park Flower Market
• Phu My Hung Spring Flower Market

The Tet flower markets add a lively dimension to the Tet festivities in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

3.3. Temples and pagodas

In the beautiful land of Vietnam, many traditional temples and pagodas are home to precious apricot trees. During the Tet season, these apricot trees burst into full bloom, creating a traditional and captivating atmosphere. One of the most renowned regions for apricot blossoms during Tet is the Yen Tu region.

During Tet, visiting Vietnamese pagodas to admire these blossoms has become an integral part of exploring Vietnamese culture. The sacred surroundings, combined with the traditional ambience, make visiting and witnessing the apricot trees at these religious sites a meaningful and respectful experience during the Tet festival.

Exploring Vietnamese culture during Tet now includes the tradition of visiting pagodas to appreciate these blossoms (Source: Collected)

>>> Learn how to say Happy New Year in Vietnamese and express your wishes to your loved ones!

The traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year is one of the most significant festivals in Vietnam. It’s a wonderful time to immerse yourself in the country’s rich cultural traditions. You can choose Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc to enjoy your unforgettable Tet holiday during your Vietnam travel journey.

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The yellow apricot blossoms hold a special place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people and are an essential element of Tet celebrations. Their vibrant, golden flowers symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and new beginnings, making them an unmissable and cherished aspect of this significant holiday. Beyond their cultural significance, the beauty of the yellow apricot blossoms captivates all who behold them, further enhancing the festive atmosphere of Tet.