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Thien Nguyen
Golden flame trees herald the arrival of spring on the Bao Loc Pateau.
In the early days of the year, when morning mist still lingers on the hillsides, the Bao Loc Plateau awakens beneath a brilliant wash of yellow. While crimson flame trees are often associated with summer and schoolyard nostalgia, the golden flame tree chooses spring – its season of renewal and vitality – to burst into bloom.
In the crisp, cool air of the highlands, these luminous yellow canopies glow like pockets of sunlight, warming the landscape and giving the plateau a gentle yet vibrant charm.
A tree rooted in memory and history
Despite its familiar Vietnamese name, the golden flame tree actually belongs to the legume family. It was introduced by the French in the 1950s and planted across major plantation zones in Di Linh and Bao Loc. More than half a century later, it has become deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the highlands – so much so that spring in Bao Loc now feels incomplete without it.
The flower also carries spiritual significance in Buddhist culture. Its golden hue evokes the color of the monks’ monastic robes, earning it the affectionate name “Buddha’s robe flower.” Symbolizing clarity, serenity, and awakening, the golden flame tree is often found in pagodas, monasteries, and quiet contemplative spaces where people seek peace of mind.
The golden glow of spring
When winter recedes, and spring begins its steady return, Bao Loc’s golden flame trees erupt into bloom as if heralding the new season. Across Loc Thanh, Loc Tien, and Loc Tan, streets are lined with radiant clusters of flowers.
Locals call the blossoms “sunlight on branches” – a symbol of life and joy. As the trees trade winter’s stark branches for fresh coats of yellow, the entire city seems reborn. For photographers, painters, and nature lovers, the golden flame tree is an endless source of inspiration.
While red flame trees blaze with bold, fiery color, the golden species carries a gentler grace. The yellow trees bloom quietly, their contemplative beauty complementing the calm spirit of this highland town.
Bat Nha Monastery – where golden blossoms meet the sky
One of the most beloved places to see the trees in full bloom is Bat Nha Monastery, perched on a hill about eight kilometers from Bao Loc’s center. Surrounded by rolling tea plantations, the monastery transforms in spring as dozens of golden flame trees flower simultaneously, bathing the entire sanctuary in a radiant golden aura.
From the monastery courtyard, visitors can admire sweeping green tea hills merging with the golden sheen of blossoms. Under the morning sun, the flowers shimmer above the sloping fields, where tea pickers move gracefully between rows.
Beyond its spiritual atmosphere, Bat Nha Monastery has become a favorite stop for travelers seeking that perfect moment when golden flowers meet drifting mist or gentle sunset light. With its rare combination of highland scenery and floral brilliance, the monastery has become an essential spring destination for anyone visiting Bao Loc.
A symbol of spring journeys
Together with its vast tea fields, waterfalls, and cool year-round climate, the golden flame tree has become a defining image of Bao Loc’s spring. During the Lunar New Year season, the city welcomes thousands of sightseers and pilgrims. Recognizing this appeal, travel agencies have begun designing tours that blend tea-hill experiences, monastery visits, and golden-flower viewing, offering a harmoniously paced journey through nature and local culture.
Beyond its visual charm, the tree holds cultural and emotional resonance. For Bao Loc residents, it symbolizes prosperity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a highland city striving toward a greener, more sustainable future.
Amid the rush of daily life, pausing on the Bao Loc Plateau to watch the golden flame trees bloom, hear distant monastery bells, and smell the soft fragrance of tea leaves leaves travelers with a lingering sense of peace. More than just a flower, the golden flame tree has become an emblem of Bao Loc’s spring: a beacon of hope, calm, and renewal in a region that’s full of life.
