Every spring, when the golden apricot blossoms begin to bloom, a vibrant atmosphere spreads throughout the villages of Southern Vietnam. In this picture,
Tan Tay Plum Village stands out as a special destination, where apricot blossoms are not only a harbinger of spring, but also the soul of the entire countryside, closely linked to many traditional crafts.
In partnership with Tan Tay Plum Village in community projects, MLifeOn had the opportunity to visit this land, directly experience traditional crafts, and appreciate the beauty and culture of the area.
Visiting Tan Tay Plum Village
Tan Tay Plum Village is located in Tan Tay commune, Tay Ninh province (formerly Long An province), a fertile land in Southern Vietnam, where gentle rivers and lush green fields have nurtured the lives of countless generations.
"Tan Tay Plum Village" is a name derived from the administrative unit of the former Long An province (Tan Tay commune, Thach Hoa district, Long An province) and the region's outstanding specialty: vibrant yellow apricot blossom gardens stretching across the villages.
After the merger, "Tan Tay Plum Village" retained its name and became part of Tay Ninh province, adding a touch of yellow to this border region.
Despite some changes in administrative divisions, the place retains its original rustic and simple charm. Therefore, anyone who hears the name "Tan Tay Plum Village" will immediately think of the famous apricot blossom growing village in the Southern region of Vietnam.
Having been involved in apricot blossom cultivation for many years, the people here have transformed the yellow apricot blossom into a symbol of prosperity and pride for their homeland.
What's special about the apricot blossoms in Tan Tay?
Although the cultivation of apricot blossoms in Tan Tay is a relatively new practice compared to many other localities in Vietnam, the apricot blossoms here have always held a unique position thanks to their distinctive characteristics. Among these, the most outstanding feature is undoubtedly the root system.
The Tan Tay apricot blossom tree has a large, sturdy trunk with beautifully winding, exposed roots, creating a stable and vibrant form. It is precisely this characteristic that makes the Tan Tay apricot blossom tree highly valuable, considered by apricot blossom enthusiasts to possess a "soul," combining ancient beauty with the graceful elegance of a flower believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
The ancient apricot blossom trees here, some decades old, have become treasures for many families, meticulously cared for and a source of pride whenever they are mentioned.
Besides being famous for its apricot blossom cultivation, Tan Tay Plum Village also preserves many unique traditional crafts associated with apricot blossoms. The locals utilize apricot blossom wood to make incense sticks, bracelets, and other handcrafted products that bear the distinct mark of local culture.
incense making
Yellow apricot wood is ground into powder to make incense.
bracelet making
These occupations are not only a means of livelihood, but also reflect the creativity and love of the people here for the flower that symbolizes spring in the southern land.
A unique experience
Upon arriving at Tan Tay Plum Village, we felt like we were truly villagers.
In the morning, we joined everyone in the garden to visit and care for each plum tree. At noon, we tried our hand at making incense sticks from plum wood. This type of incense has a uniquely gentle fragrance, making everyone feel peaceful. In the afternoon, gathered in a small house, we meticulously strung the wooden beads together to make bracelets, chatting and feeling the strong connection of the village atmosphere and the simple charm of Tan Tay Plum Village.
Experience visiting the apricot blossom garden
experience making incense
experience making bracelets
Here, every experience evokes incredibly special emotions, making us realize: "Preserving and developing traditional crafts requires a great deal of patience, skill, and love for our homeland."
Each product made from apricot blossoms carries the essence of nature, the skillful hands of the craftsman, and the pride of the homeland.
Incense cones made from yellow apricot wood.
Partnering with community projects
In partnering with Tan Tay Plum Village on community projects, MLifeOn doesn't just view this as a job; more than that, we hope to contribute to community activities together, aiming for a longer-term journey with the ultimate goal of sustainable development for Tan Tay Plum Village:
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Developing community-based tourism: bringing tourists closer to the life of traditional craft villages. Beyond simply visiting gardens and admiring flowers, visitors can experience activities closely linked to local culture.
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Preserving and spreading traditional crafts: supporting locals in maintaining traditional crafts such as growing apricot blossoms, making incense, and crafting bracelets, while creating culturally valuable products for wider dissemination.
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Connecting people with cultural values: ensuring each trip is not just a sightseeing journey, but also a journey of feeling, understanding, and sharing.
We hope that when each visitor comes here, they will not only be traveling, but also learning about the people and culture, experiencing firsthand, and gaining a deeper understanding of Tan Tay Plum Village and its traditional crafts.
Conclusion
Accompanying Tan Tay Plum Village in its journey to develop community tourism, MLifeOn has had the opportunity to directly participate in experiencing and appreciating the beauty of the scenery, culture, and people of this place. We hope that in the future, MLifeOn will work with Tan Tay Plum Village to bring many more interesting and useful experiences to domestic and international tourists.
Amidst the golden hues of apricot blossoms, the warm, fragrant smoke of incense, and the laughter of the local people, we felt that spring doesn't just come once a year, but is always present in Tan Tay Apricot Blossom Village.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Quan Tran
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Trung Huynh
