Camellia oleifera (also known locally as tra mai, tra mai hoa, or oil tea camellia) is a characteristic tree of Binh Lieu. Traveling to Binh Lieu toward the end of the year, visitors can marvel at vast forests draped in the pure white blossom of camellia oleifera.
Camellia oleifera flowers bloom white across Binh Lieu at year-end
Toward the end of the year in December, camellia oleifera flowers begin blooming across the hills and mountains, becoming a signature spectacle of this mountainous district. Visitors taking a trip to Binh Lieu in winter therefore have the chance to admire this pristine blossom and join the vibrant Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival.
Camellia oleifera tree in Binh Lieu
Camellia oleifera is an indigenous plant deeply intertwined with the daily lives of ethnic minority communities in the mountainous district of Binh Lieu. In the past, the trees grew wild across mountains, forests, and villages, and locals often gathered cut branches for cooking firewood.
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Photo: Ha Noi Moi Newspaper.
Oil from camellia oleifera brings high economic value
Ever since traders began purchasing the fruits to extract essential oils, local residents have paid much greater attention to cultivating camellia oleifera. Moreover, its seeds are pressed into camellia seed oil—a nutritious edible cooking oil known to help lower cholesterol and boost immunity.
Taking photos with camellia oleifera flowers. Photo: binhlieu.quangninh.org.vn.
Cooking oil extracted from Binh Lieu camellia oleifera is highly regarded, possessing an Omega 3-6-9 content comparable to olive oil. The roots and bark of the tree can also be used in traditional remedies for stomach aches, sprains, and twisted ankles.
Photo: binhlieu.quangninh.org.vn.
Camellia seed oil also serves as an industrial raw material for machine oil, lubricants, anti-rust oil, printing inks, and pharmaceutical oils. In addition, it is utilized in the production of plant protection agents and organic fertilizers. Dried husks are used as fuel or activated charcoal, while the pressed seed cake residue is used to clean shrimp ponds.
Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
In Binh Lieu, the cultivation area of camellia oleifera continues to expand; alongside cinnamon and star anise, it has become a staple crop for ethnic minority communities. As the pristine white blooms flourish, so too does the livelihood and prosperity of the local people.
Showcasing local specialties. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
For residents in the border district of Binh Lieu, camellia oleifera not only provides a stable income, but also contributes to developing a new type of local tourism: winter tourism.
Various cultural performances at the festival. Photo: Online Newspaper of the CPV.
Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival
First organized in 2015, the Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival not only promotes local strengths and honors the cultural, scenic, and economic values of the plant, but also helps attract investors and travel enterprises to develop Binh Lieu tourism.
Photo: VnExpress.
The Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival features engaging activities such as community folk performances, tours of the blooming forests, and photo exhibitions celebrating the scenic beauty of Binh Lieu.
Camellia oleifera brings high economic value. Illustrative photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Joining the festival, travelers on a Binh Lieu trip have the chance to admire young ethnic women dressed in their finest traditional attire, pose for photos amid the blooms, and take part in distinctive local experiences.
Camellia oleifera forest. Photo: VOV.
Alongside annual activities, the festival also presents photography exhibitions on terraced rice fields and the natural wonders of Binh Lieu, most notably the paragliding experience "Gliding amidst the Camellia Forests", leaving visitors with unforgettable memories.
“Gliding amidst the Camellia Forests”. Photo: VOV.
The annual Binh Lieu Camellia Oleifera Flower Festival stands as a hallmark cultural event. Domestic and international visitors can take in the pure, rustic charm of the white blossoms while gaining a deeper understanding of the life and culture of ethnic communities in Vietnam's northeastern frontier.
