The Yellow Apricot Blossom of Yen Tu is a rare and unique flower that is native to the sacred Yen Tu mountain. The yellow apricot blossoms bloom late in the spring, waiting for the season to “ripen” before they burst forth in vibrant color and fragrance, amidst the tender buds and fresh, green leaves full of life, releasing a mild, pure scent.
The flowers typically bloom in the second month of the lunar calendar, and their blooming season usually lasts for about a month. The apricot branches stretch out to greet the spring sunshine and breeze, adding to the spring landscape of the sacred Yen Tu mountain.
According to legend, in the 13th century, after King Trần Nhân Tông abdicated in favor of his son and retreated to Yen Tu mountain to practice meditation, he and his disciples planted the first apricot trees. Over time, Yen Tu developed into a forest of apricot trees. Some of these trees are over 700 years old and are respectfully called “Great Elder Yellow Apricot Trees of Yen Tu.”
The beauty of the yellow apricot blossoms was highly praised by Phật Hoàng Trần Nhân Tông in many of his poems, notably in the poem Tảo mai kỳ 1 (Morning Apricot Blossom):
Round, five-petaled, golden stamen unfold,
Drowned in coral shadow, fish scales rise,
Winter’s three cold months, branches stand white,
Spring one sunny day, branches shine bright,
Sweet fragrance in the dew, waking butterflies,
Night glows with moonlight, luring birds to fly.
If the goddess Chang’e knew of the beauty of the apricot,
She would abandon her moon palace.
The yellow apricot blossoms of Yen Tu are primarily concentrated around the Hoa Yen Pagoda, Mot Mai Pagoda, Van Tieu Pagoda, and Bao Sai Pagoda. Growing on sacred land, amidst steep cliffs, these flowers live for hundreds of years. They symbolize purity, resilience, and the spirit of overcoming adversity. The petals fall when the flowers are in full bloom, symbolizing the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence and the spirit of letting go.
The ancient apricot trees growing on Yen Tu Mountain have distinct features. The flowers have five petals, bloom in clusters, are bright yellow, and have a light fragrance. They are regarded as a precious genetic resource of Vietnam that should be preserved and propagated. The trees have also been granted geographical indication protection.
From a legend about a flower personally planted by the Buddhist King at the summit of the sacred mountain, the yellow apricot blossoms of Yen Tu have become a symbol of spiritual cultural tourism in the Northeast, blooming alongside the cherry blossoms of Japan during the Yen Tu Cherry Blossom – Yellow Apricot Festival at the Truc Lam Cultural Center.
The sight of the yellow apricot flowers in full bloom on Yen Tu Mountain has become a magnificent landscape that everyone should see at least once. The entire forest is bathed in the golden hue of the apricot blossoms, resembling the “imperial robe” of royalty. From a distance, it looks like a monk’s robe draped over the sacred mountain — a fusion of natural and spiritual beauty. Hence, the Yellow Apricot Forest of Yen Tu has become a symbol of the Zen Buddhist spirit in the Truc Lam sect. It represents a place where one can find harmony, rely on nature, and achieve inner peace.
If you visit Yen Tu in the spring, you will witness the entire sacred land bursting with the colors of the yellow apricot. It is a beauty that shines brightly and spreads, touching the spirit of Zen.
