Every spring, when the plum blossoms bloom, the entire Nà Ka valley in Mộc Châu district (Sơn La) wears a pristine white coat. Amidst the vast expanse of white, each plum branch stretches towards the sun, creating a picturesque scene that captivates visitors from near and far.
Nà Ka valley is about 16 km from the center of Mộc Châu town, Mộc Châu district (Sơn La). It is surrounded by towering mountain ranges, creating a peaceful and poetic atmosphere. This is the land of the largest and most beautiful plum orchards in Mộc Châu, attracting a large number of tourists every year. In early February, we had the opportunity to visit Nà Ka plum valley when the spring atmosphere still lingered throughout the mountains and forests. According to local residents, this is the best time of the year for visitors to come and immerse themselves in the white hues of plum blossoms.
From the territory of Hang Kia commune, Mai Châu district (Hòa Bình), along National Route 6 leading into Mộc Châu district, alongside the pink-red of peach blossoms are patches of plums blooming white in the forest. However, the plums in Nà Ka valley are the most impressive, as this is the largest “plum hub” in Mộc Châu, covering an area of over 100 hectares. This is also the location chosen by Mộc Châu district to host the annual Fruit Picking Festival, attracting a large number of tourists and local residents.
When we arrived in the Nà Ka area, many local residents were there to welcome and guide visitors into the orchards. Following the driver’s instructions, we chose to enter one of the plum gardens located in the center of the valley. It was the season of flowers, and the plum trees in Nà Ka seemed to change leaves together, with their slender branches now covered in pure white blossoms. Not only were there flowers, but the plum trees were also laden with off-season fruit. With an entrance fee of 40,000 VND per person, tourists could freely take photos and enjoy the plums in the garden. The garden owner even thoughtfully prepared dipping salt, enhancing the visitors’ experience.
Ms. Nguyễn Phương Thảo, a tourist from Hanoi, shared that this was her second visit to Nà Ka. Her first visit was in May 2024 during the plum-picking festival. Impressed by the beautiful natural scenery and the juicy red plums, she decided to return during the plum blossom season to explore the different beauty of this place. “This time coming to Nà Ka, I was truly overwhelmed by the landscape of the valley blanketed in plum blossoms. The atmosphere here is fresh and peaceful, making me feel incredibly relaxed. I even picked some plums to take home as gifts. This has truly been a very interesting experience in the early days of the new year,” Ms. Thảo shared.
With its picturesque scenery, Nà Ka plum valley is also an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts. Here, many young people and photographers have traveled hundreds of kilometers to reach Nà Ka and capture the most beautiful moments of spring in the Northwest. Since after the Lunar New Year, Mr. Đức Hưng, a photographer from Hải Dương, has been continuously “working hard” in Mộc Châu. Mr. Hưng shared: “Throughout the year, I have many shooting schedules for clients in Mộc Châu. This is a place with many very unique and distinctive locations. At this time, the plum blossoms are blooming beautifully, so many clients have booked shooting schedules quite densely; there are days we stay overnight in Mộc Châu to continue shooting the next day.”
Not only does it have unique landscapes, but Nà Ka plum valley is also attractive for its fresh, cool air, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, there are still houses of the Hmong people that preserve traditional cultural features. From Nà Ka plum valley, one can explore famous sites in the Mộc Châu plateau, such as the heart-shaped tea hill, Dải Yếm waterfall, or Áng village pine forest.
It can be said that stepping foot in Nà Ka this season, one can not only immerse in the vibrant nature but also feel the gentle breath of the Northwest’s sky and earth. And then, anyone who leaves will carry a little nostalgia, looking forward to another season of plum blossoms…
