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In late December 2025, the outskirts of Da Lat entered the cherry-like apricot blossom season. Cau Dat Tea Hill, located 20km from the center of Da Lat, was one of the first locations to record blooming flowers. According to locals, the blooming season at the tea hill arrived 10-15 days earlier than last year. This early bloom was caused by cold spells in the final months of last year, which stimulated the trees to shed their leaves and bud prematurely.
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Cao Ky Nhan, a photographer from Ho Chi Minh City, visited the tea hill during the final two days of 2025 to capture the early-season blossoms. Having last visited the hill four years ago, he was surprised to find many trees now standing over 7 meters tall with wide canopies and dense flowers, creating a “more vibrant and poetic scene.”
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According to Nhan, cherry-like apricot blossoms are also blooming in other locations across Da Lat, such as Mong Dao Nguyen, café shops, and streets. But, the flowers in Cau Dat are the most attractive to tourists because they create a vast and distinct landscape.
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The tea hill spans approximately 200 hectares at an altitude of over 1,600 meters above sea level. The gentle slopes are covered in Oolong tea, interspersed with small paths and wind turbines. Clusters of cherry-like apricot trees were scattered throughout the area starting 30 years ago.
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This year, Da Lat’s cherry-like apricot blossoms arrived under favorable weather conditions. Days are mildly sunny with temperatures around 21-23°C, while early mornings and evenings are chilly at 13-14°C. Nhan suggests that tourists should visit Cau Dat Tea Hill at around 7:00 a.m. or in the late afternoon. During these times, the light is soft, the mist gradually dissipates, and slanted sunlight helps the floral colors pop while giving the scenery more depth.
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Cau Dat Tea Hill area is open for visitors to sightsee and take photos free of charge. Travelers can rent motorbikes or cars from central Da Lat and follow National Highway 20 through Xuan Truong to reach Cau Dat, a journey of about 45-60 minutes depending on different means of transport.
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In addition to admiring the cherry-like apricot blossoms, visitors can arrive early for “cloud hunting,” take walks, visit an ancient tea factory, and learn about the tea production process in Cau Dat.
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The cherry-like apricot trees planted at Cau Dat Tea Hill are a woody species, standing 5-7 meters tall with canopies 3-5 meters wide. The trunks are large and tall, resembling peach trees found in the northern mountains, but the flowers have five petals and stamens similar to apricot flowers of the South. The blooming cycle typically lasts about 6-8 weeks, from the first scattered blossoms until the petals have completely fallen.

Translated by Song Anh