Yellow apricot blossoms signal Tet arrival in former Hue imperial city

The first-ever yellow apricot festival is set to open at Thuong Bac park in Hue city on January 13 and will last through to January 19.

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An exhibition displaying yellow apricot trees will be held at Thuong Bac park to celebrate the festival.

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Hoang Mai, or Ochna integerrima, is a famous yellow apricot tree in Thua Thien-Hue province which are usually planted in front of houses around the locality.

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People in Hue and those from the whole of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue use blossoming yellow apricot trees or branches to decorate their homes during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

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The highlight of the festival will be a contest of beautiful apricot trees, an exhibition showcasing various apricot trees, and an auction space.

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The festival will see many gardeners from across the country gather together to bring more than 300 bonsai apricot trees for competition.

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Ochna integerrima is renowned in Thua Thien-Hue province. The timing of the yellow flowers of the plant make it very popular in both central and southern Vietnam, with the bonsai apricot trees often being purchased during Tet.

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To get the most beautiful flower pot possible, gardeners often pay attention to trimming and bending branches, and creating a posture to have unique shaped Ochna integerrima pots.