The camellia tree (also known as mai tea, flowering mai tea, or tea-oil tree) is a characteristic tree of Binh Lieu. Traveling to Binh Lieu at the end of the year, visitors can admire forests covered in the pure white of vast expanses of camellia blossoms.
White camellia blossoms in Binh Lieu at the end of the year
At the end of the year, in December according to the Gregorian calendar, camellia blossoms begin to turn the hills and mountains white, becoming a defining feature of this mountainous district. Therefore, visitors traveling to Binh Lieu in winter have the chance to admire these pure blossoms and attend the Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival.
Binh Lieu camellia trees
The camellia is a native tree closely associated with the lives of the ethnic communities in the mountainous district of Binh Lieu. In the past, camellias grew wild throughout the forests, mountains, and villages, and local people often cut branches to bring home for firewood.
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Photo: Hà Nội Mới Newspaper.
Camellia oil brings economic value
But once traders began buying camellia fruit to process into essential oil, local people became more interested in cultivating camellias. In addition, camellia seeds are used to press camellia oil, an edible oil rich in nutrients that helps reduce body fat and boost resistance.
Taking photos with camellia blossoms. Photo: binhlieu.quangninh.org.vn.
Binh Lieu camellia cooking oil is highly regarded, with Omega 3, 6, and 9 content comparable to olive oil. Camellia roots and bark can also be used to treat stomachaches, sprains, and twisted ankles…
Photo: binhlieu.quangninh.org.vn.
Camellia oil is used as a material in the manufacture of engine oil, lubricants, rust-preventive oil, printing ink, and oil for medical use. It is also used to produce plant-protection products and fertilizer. Dried camellia bark is used as fuel and activated carbon, while the residue left after pressing crude oil helps clean shrimp ponds.
Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival. Photo: Quảng Ninh Newspaper.
In Binh Lieu, the area planted with camellias is growing steadily. Along with cinnamon and star anise, camellia is one of the main crops of local ethnic minorities. As the white blossoms become ever purer, the lives of local people also continue to flourish.
Exhibition of local specialties. Photo: Quảng Ninh Newspaper.
For people living in the Binh Lieu border area, camellias not only provide a source of income but also contribute to the development of a new type of tourism here: winter tourism.
Many cultural and artistic activities at the festival. Photo: Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper.
Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival
First held in 2015, the Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival not only promotes and introduces the locality’s strengths and honors the cultural, scenic, and economic values of the camellia, but also helps attract investors and travel businesses to develop tourism in Binh Lieu.
Photo: VnExpress.
The Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival features engaging activities such as community performances, visits to camellia forests, and exhibitions of beautiful photographs of Binh Lieu.
Camellias bring high economic value. Illustrative photo: Quảng Ninh Newspaper.
By attending the camellia flower festival, visitors to Binh Lieu have the chance to admire young women dressed in their finest traditional outfits, take photos among the flowers, and experience unique activities.
Camellia forest. Photo: VOV.
Alongside its annual activities, the festival also features exhibitions of photographs of terraced fields and Binh Lieu’s nature. In particular, the paragliding activity “Flying Among the Camellia Forests” offers visitors an unforgettable experience.
“Flying Among the Camellia Forests.” Photo: VOV.
The annual Binh Lieu Camellia Flower Festival is a notable cultural event. Domestic and international visitors can admire the pure, rustic beauty of the camellia blossoms and gain a deeper understanding of the life and culture of the ethnic communities in the northeastern region of the country.
