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Peach Blossoms: A Vibrant Symbol of Tet in Northern Vietnam

Peach blossoms are especially bright during the Tet festival and spring season. In Northern Vietnam, peach tree branches are also used as Tet decorations. However, few people understand why it is related to the celebration.

Legend of the Tet Peach Branch

On the eastern slope of Soc Son Mountain stood an ancient peach tree, its sprawling branches and dense foliage casting a generous canopy of shade. This venerable tree was home to two deities, Tra and Uat Luy. Known for their benevolence, these guardian spirits played a crucial role in the lives of the local people. They tirelessly protected the villagers, keeping malevolent demons and evil spirits at bay, ensuring peace and safety in the region. 

Each year during Tet, the guardians would meet the Jade Emperor in heaven, leaving the earthly realm unprotected and susceptible to mischief. To safeguard their homes during this vulnerable period, people started placing peach blossoms in vases or hanging drawings of the deities on red paper at their doorways. 

This practice started as a way to seek protection and became a beloved Tet tradition. Peach blossoms and deity drawings symbolized protection and good luck, reflecting the community’s hopes for a prosperous year. Over time, it maintained cultural significance, combining respect for the divine with Tet’s joyful celebration. 

Although belief in the supernatural has waned among Vietnamese people, the enduring tradition of adorning homes with peach blossoms and vibrant red papers inscribed with hopeful wishes for a prosperous new year persists steadfastly. Rooted deeply in Vietnamese culture, this practice symbolizes optimism and good fortune, ensuring that the New Year is celebrated with enthusiasm and reverence.

Importance of Tet Peach Blossom Branch

Over the years, peach blossoms have come to embody various sentiments such as beauty, warmth, joy, love, and hope, particularly during the Lunar New Year. They symbolize not only graceful beauty and close friendships but also an ancient pledge of brotherhood. Today, a garden adorned with peach blossoms evokes a deep sense of tradition, fostering strong bonds among friends and loved ones.

Spiritually, peach branches hold significant meaning as tools to ward off demons, a practice upheld especially on Tet, the Vietnamese New Year’s Eve. During this time, it’s customary for people to place peach branches at their home’s entrance to safeguard against malevolent forces. Valued highly in Feng Shui for their protective qualities, families plant peach trees in front of their homes during the New Year to ensure good fortune and ward off evil spirits.

Peach blossoms are not merely beautiful flowers; they also hold significant symbolic value as harbingers of renewal and growth, particularly cherished during the Lunar New Year festivities. Embedded in ancient beliefs, these blossoms evoke a profound sense of new beginnings and promising futures, embodying the festive spirit and aspirations for prosperity that mark this auspicious time of year.

Northern Vietnam Prefers Peach Blossoms: Exploring Regional Preferences

Spring is a time of new growth and vibrant flowers. Every Tet holiday, Vietnamese homes are adorned with either peach blossoms in the North or apricot blossoms in the South. This regional preference is rooted in climate, weather, and cultural beliefs, as explained in the book “100 Things to Know about Vietnamese Customs.”

  • Northern and Southern Region Weather and Climate

Plum blossoms are low-maintenance plants that grow well in pots or in the ground, requiring moist soil and sunlight but avoiding waterlogging. They flourish in temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius, making them well-suited for the late-year climate in Southern. Conversely, cherry blossoms prefer cooler climates, such as those found in Northern regions, and struggle to bloom in warmer areas. Historically, due to underdeveloped flower delivery services between North and South Vietnam, people favored locally-adapted plants for Tet holiday decorations. Over time, this practice shaped unique regional customs for displaying and appreciating these floral beauties.

  • Customs in Northern and Southern Regions

The apricot blossom is one of the revered four noble plants, alongside pine, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, often celebrated in poetry and art. In Southern Vietnamese culture, its yellow hue symbolizes the earth element, embodying prosperity and wealth.

The apricot tree’s strong roots represent resilience against storms and winds. They symbolize virtues such as patience and noble sacrifice. In Southern Vietnam, during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, homes are decorated with yellow apricot blossoms to bring luck and good wishes for the upcoming year.

In Northern Vietnam, peach blossoms are preferred over apricots. Celebrated for their beauty, they symbolize harmony between heaven and earth. In feng shui, they are valued for warding off negativity and bringing tranquility and joy throughout the year.

According to Northerners, peach blossoms ward off evil spirits. They’re commonly planted in front of homes during Tet and spring. Peach blossoms symbolize the beauty of Northern girls—reserved, graceful, and gentle. That’s why Northerners choose them to wish for a lucky, safe, and prosperous new year.

Northerners’ Tet Peach Blossom Arrangements Unveiled

Let Impress Travel expertly navigate you through the intricate process of selecting and arranging these exquisite blooms, meticulously curated to adorn both private residences and public spaces. These flowers epitomize the essence of Tet, symbolizing new beginnings and ushering in auspicious blessings with their vibrant colors and delicate fragrances.

Essential Tips for Selecting Lunar New Year Peach Blossoms

  1. Choosing Peach Trees for Planting:

Vietnamese plant peach trees with strong roots and thick trunks to keep them fresh without roots getting tangled or branches drooping. They choose trees with evenly spread small branches that have buds. They also make sure the trees have healthy blooms without pests, with petals that are intact, and they match the tree’s appearance to its pot.

  1. Pruning Peach Tree Branches:

When Vietnamese people prune branches, their goal is to achieve a rounded shape that evenly distributes flowers along each branch. They carefully space out smaller branches, preferring a natural curve over perfect straightness to maintain balance and harmony. By cutting fresh from the tree, they ensure the branches appear healthy and encourage robust growth.

  1. Buying Peach Blossom Branches:

During Tet holiday, Vietnamese traditionally purchase peach blossom branches several days in advance to ensure they bloom at the auspicious time. Potted peach trees, although aesthetically pleasing, bloom at a slower rate compared to pruned branches. People choose potted trees with lots of blossoms that bloom just in time for Lunar New Year.

Essential Tips for Decorating with Peach Blossoms to Suit Every Home Space

In Vietnamese homes, the placement of peach blossoms during Tet reflects careful consideration of space and aesthetic harmony. In larger, airy spaces, the focal point is often a centrally positioned peach blossom pot, selected for its substantial size to enhance the room’s grandeur. This choice not only emphasizes the festive spirit but also serves as a visual centerpiece, drawing attention to its vibrant blooms.

Conversely, in smaller living rooms, Vietnamese tradition adapts by acquiring peach branches, elegantly arranged in vases atop tea tables. These vases typically stand about 1 meter tall, with branches spanning approximately 0.5 meters. Such dimensions are meticulously adjusted to suit the available space, ensuring that the display maintains a proportional balance. This approach prevents the branches from overwhelming the modest tea table or appearing diminutive in a larger setting.

In these setups, color is really important. Vietnamese decorators pick peach blossoms that stand out against the walls. In smaller or darker spaces, they like lighter colors like white or light peach to make things brighter and more noticeable. Conversely, in brighter, more expansive spaces, deeper shades like pink or goat’s breath peach are favored, imparting a warmer ambiance to the surroundings.

Exploring Vietnam’s Most Expensive Peach Blossom Tree Variety

It would be a significant omission not to acquaint oneself with the That Thon peach variety, also known as the “peach of the royal progress." Historically, this esteemed fruit was reserved solely for the elite and Vietnamese monarchs. Today, the fascination with this peach variety persists, embodying both luxury and cultural heritage.

A small That Thon peach tree, 30-40 cm tall, costs between 2,000,000 VND and 2,500,000 VND per pot. These miniature trees offer a glimpse of the larger ones’ splendor. Larger, more magnificent specimens can fetch prices from tens to hundreds of millions of dong, reflecting their rarity and beauty.

Notably, the ancient That Thon peach trees, steeped in history and tradition, are particularly prized. These venerable trees, with their enduring legacy and cultural significance, are esteemed at an astonishing 160 million dong, representing a blend of botanical rarity and historical reverence.

The That Thon peach variety embodies Vietnamese heritage, symbolizing more than just fruit. Each tree not only produces fruit but also holds a story of prestige, exclusivity, and royal patronage. This variety highlights Vietnam’s cultural significance and historical allure, reflecting a deep connection to its royal past.

In conclusion

Peach blossoms are highly valued in Vietnamese culture, especially during Tet. They symbolize vitality, luck, and renewal, representing the hopes and dreams of Vietnamese people during the Lunar New Year. With their pink petals and sweet scent, peach blossoms decorate homes and streets, reminding everyone of Tet’s cultural and spiritual importance. By cherishing these traditions, we recognize how peach blossoms bring joy, prosperity, ensuring they remain an essential part of Tet celebrations for generations.

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Amazing Hanoi - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh: 5 days

Genesis cruises halong bay
Genesis cruises halong bay
Ninh Binh Tam Coc
Ninh Binh Tam Coc
Hanoi people
Hanoi people
Hanoi Van Mieu
Hanoi Van Mieu
Hanoi - HCM Mausoleum
Hanoi - HCM Mausoleum
Hanoi Bike through rice field
Hanoi Bike through rice field
Hanoi Cyclo Tour
Hanoi Cyclo Tour
Hanoi Farm tours
Hanoi Farm tours
Halong Bay
Halong Bay
Halong Boat
Halong Boat
Glory Cruise
Glory Cruise
Halong islet
Halong islet
Halong Bay
Halong Bay
Genesis cruises halong bay
Ninh Binh Tam Coc
Hanoi people
Hanoi Van Mieu
Hanoi - HCM Mausoleum
Hanoi Bike through rice field
Hanoi Cyclo Tour
Hanoi Farm tours
Halong Bay
Halong Boat
Glory Cruise
Halong islet
Halong Bay

We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. First, North Vietnam Hanoi Tour will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city, with a half-day city tour, you will visit the most iconic attractions in Hanoi such as President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter of Hanoi. After Hanoi, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. For ending two days of Inspirational Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Tour, we will spend one night stay on a cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world. Let’s explore the Magnificent North of Vietnam with Impress Travel.

 Email:northvietnamtour@impresstravel.com or contact the hotline (Whatsapp, Zalo, Viber, Skype) at +84.912 379 189 – Mr. Alex.

Tours Itinerary

Day 01

HANOI ARRIVAL – GREETING – HANOI CITY TOUR– Private Tour (L)

  • Good morning, pick you up at Noi Bai International
  • Airport and transfer to Hanoi Capital city.
  • Check-in the hotel then have lunch at the restaurant.
  • Afternoon sightseeing tour begins with a visit to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( closed on Monday and Friday, every afternoon, and whole from 15 June – 15 August, view the outside the building). Inside the mausoleum, there are sightseeing of the Presidential Palace (view from outside), President’s Fishpond, House On Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
  • Next, we will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature. It is where Confucius – The founder of Confucianism was worshiped. This place as known as the first National University of Vietnam. It is where kings, mandarins, talented people of Vietnam training to the functionary.
  • Our tour continues with an exciting visit. We will visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, we will go to the Ngoc Son Temple, which is in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
  • Continue a short walking tour around the old quarter with a tour guide.

Day Inclusions: Private A/C transfer, English-speaking tour guide in Hanoi, lunch, entrance fee, hotel in Hanoi

Day 02

HANOI – NINH BINH (TAM COC, HOA LU) TOUR (B/L)

  • Good morning, have breakfast at the hotel.
  • 7.30 – 8.00 AM: Pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter and transfer to Tam Coc.
  • 8.00 – 10.00 AM: After two hours of transferring, our tour guide will introduce you to Vietnam as the history, culture, lifestyle of local people. On the conical hat, we will have a mini-game show to teach you how to say and write some Vietnamese simple words such as Xin Chào, Tạm Biệt, Tôi yêu Ninh Bình, etc. We will give you a little souvenir and you can wear it during the trip.
  • 10 AM: We will prepare for a boat trip to visit the beautiful Tam Coc. It takes 1.30 hours rowing along the Ngo Dong river through the three mysterious caves. You can enjoy spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks.
  • 11.30 AM: We will get on Thanh pier for a short walk to visit Thai Vi Temple, which is one of the well-known temples in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. We will continue 10 minutes walking along majestic valley with rice fields, rivers and lotus ponds for Tam Coc Nature Lodge where we will relaxing
  • Enjoy your lunch in here – Vietnamese food.
  • 1.30 PM: you have a chance to be a fisherman and learn how to catch the fish in the pond or river.
  • 2:00 – 3:00 PM: We ride a bike to Thung Nang, along the river among the rice field, lotus ponds, and limestone Mountains. We will continue to through a peaceful Dan Khe Trong village. This area is a real picture of the rural countryside in the north of Vietnam.
  • 15: 00: Return the van, drive to visit Hoa Lu Ancient citadel which was built in the 10th century, and the temple dedicated to King Dinh and King Le
  • 4:00 PM: Back to Hanoi Capital.
  • 18:30: Arrive in Hanoi & we will drop you at your hotel in the Old Quarter.
  • Have dinner is available on your request.
  • Overnight at the Hanoi Hotel.

Day Inclusions: Car/Mini-Van, Outstanding English speaking guide, Lunch – Vietnamese Cuisine at Tam Coc Nature Eco Lodge, All sightseeing tickets, Good bike with gears, 02 bottles of Mineral water, Services charges and government tax, Rowing boat to visit Tam Coc, One conical hat as souvenir, Demonstration of teaching to learn how to write, speak Vietnamese, and catch fish

Day 03

HANOI – HALONG CRUISE (B/L/D)

  • Good morning! Enjoy your with have breakfast at your hotel, then check-out the hotel.
  • 07:30 am – 08:00: Pick up from your hotel to travel to Halong Bay (notice: pickup time can be a bit flexible depending on each different Cruise, distance Hanoi – Halong bay is 160km, a stop for break time on halfway for a refreshment).
  • You enjoy the drive and sightseeing the peaceful countryside scenery during the bus trip (4 hours), we arrive at the Ha Long bay seaport at around noontime.
  • 12h 30: You will aboard the cruise, check-in & enjoy a welcome drink while your cabin will be assigned.
  • Check-in your cabin and put your luggage in, relax and may do a short inspection tour by moving around the cruise to discover about the cruise’s architecture & design
  • Enjoy the sumptuous lunch with fresh seafood meal while cruise slowly gliding out into the Halong bay.
  • 15h00 – 16h00: Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
  • 16h00 – 17h00: Cruising to Titop Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titop or climb up to the top of the island for a view panorama of Halong Bay.
  • 17h00 – 17h30: Return to the boat, enjoying beautiful seascape on the way.
  • 17h30 – 19h00: Enjoy Sunset Party on the sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.

Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, shuttle bus A/C transfer, English speaking tour guide on CRUISE only, entrance fee, full board, joint Cruise in Halong bay with private cabin (2 persons share 1 cabin)

Day 04

HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

  • Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
  • 07h00 – 07h30 Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.
  • 08h30 – 09h30 Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave.
  • 09h45 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
  • 10h00 – 10h30 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
  • 10h30 – 11h30 while heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
  • 11h45 – 12h00 Disembark V’Spirit Classic.
  • 12h15 – 12h30 Transfer back to Hanoi.
  • About 16:00 – Arrival back to Hanoi central city, recheck in the hotel
  • Dinner is available on your request.
  • Free time & Overnight in Hanoi city

Day 05

HANOI CITY CENTER TO NOI BAI AIRPORT – DEPARTURE (B)

  • Good morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, you have some free time to explore Hanoi city before going to Noi Bai airport for your scheduled flight.
  • The end of the tour, thank you and see you again!

What’s included in this trip :

  • A/C accommodation with DOUBLE or TWIN ROOM (2 persons share 1 room; single room can be available on request) with daily breakfast
  • A/C transfer from Airports to the hotel and other tourist destinations according to the itinerary
  • Bus round trip to Hanoi – Ha Long Bay; (private land transfer available on request)
  • 2 days 1 night on Joint Cruise trip in Ha Long Bay, with DOUBLE or TWIN (2 persons share 1 cabin; single cabin can be available on request), full meals on board
  • Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary. (Breakfast = 04; Lunch = 04; Dinner = 01)
  • English- speaking guides as specified (Chinese/ Malaysian speaking guide can be available on request)
  • Entrance fees
  • Mineral water (2 bottles/ per day with sightseeing tour)
What’s excluded in this trip:
  • All international and domestic flights
  • Specified as Chinese/ Malaysian/ Indonesian/Thai speaking guide can be available on request to pay for extra-fee.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals not mentioned
  • Tips for tour guides, drivers, crew members in Ha Long Bay, other attendants if may have (3 USD/pax/day)
  • Other personal expenses not mentioned.

3 STAR HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM  SELECTED

 

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

Hanoi 3-star Hotels

Adamas Deluxe City 

ADAMAS HANOI HOTEL
Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/

3-star Halong  Bay Cruises

Swan Cruise Deluxe

SWAN CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/


4 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

 

Destination

Room Type

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

  Hanoi  4-star Hotels

The light deluxe with window

THE LIGHT HOTEL HANOI

Refer: thelighthotelhanoi.com/en/

4-star Halong Bay Cruises

Sealife Suite Canbin

HUONG HAI SEALIFE CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: www.sealifegroup.com

5 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED

 

Destination

Hotel Category

HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE

  Hanoi 5-star hotels

Deluxe Sketch Apricot Hotel

 APRICOT HOTEL HANOI

Refer: apricothotels.com/room/sketch

5-star Halong bay Cruises

Deluxe Room with Ocean View Margaret

MARGARET CRUISE HALONG BAY

Refer: https://margaretcruises.com

 

The hotels and cruise are subject to change to similar category in case of fully booked

Vietnam Travel Map: 15 Days

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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