The 2018 Cherry blossom – Yen Tu yellow ochna flower festival will take place in the northern province of Quang Ninh from March 24-28, as part of National Tourism Year 2018 (Illustrative photo: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 2018Cherry blossom – Yen Tu yellow ochna flower festival will take place in thenorthern province of Quang Ninh from March 24-28, as part of National TourismYear 2018.
The festival was held in Ha Long cityfor the last four years, with this the first time it will take place at the YenTu relic site of Uong Bi city, also the land of founding Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen.
The yellow ochna flower is indigenousto the area near Yen Tu Mountain. Legend has it that the species was grown inthe area by King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third King of the Tran Dynasty.
The King abdicated when he was 35 andspent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practicing and propagatingBuddhism. He founded the first Vietnamese School of Buddhism called “ThienTong” or Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen on the 1,068m-high Yen Tu Mountain.
The Cherry blossom – Yen Tu ochnaflower festival has drew the participation of many Vietnamese and Japanesebusinesses and visitors over the years. It promotes the images of Yen Tu relic siteand the yellow ochna flower, along with introducing cherry blossoms andJapanese culture to attendees.
Through the festival, Quang Ninh aimsto promote its image and strengths in economy, culture and tourism to Japanesepeople, thus enhancing cooperation and trade between businesses and tiesbetween the province and Japan’s localities and agencies.
A series of art programmes will be heldat the festival, including a show on traditional and modern clothing of Vietnamand Japan, art performances, a display of 50 cherry blossoms trees, 5,000bonsai trees and more than 100 Yen Tu yellow ochna flower trees and a tradefair introducing local farm produce.- VNA
