Cat Tien bursts into bloom

Cat Tien National Park in Nam Cat Tien commune is entering its peak flowering season, with signature species such as pink cassia, crape myrtle, and yellow allamanda in full bloom.

The flowers stretch along visitor trails and extend deep into the forest, creating a vivid natural landscape that helps ease the intense summer heat of the Southeast region.

Visitors to Cat Tien National Park can cycle through forest paths to explore unique ancient trees while enjoying pink cassia and crape myrtle flowers blooming on both sides of the road. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Visitors take photos under pink cassia trees. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Tourists are captivated by the vibrant colors and gentle fragrance of pink cassia flowers. Photo: Ngoc Lien

One of the most distinctive flowers in Cat Tien is the pink cassia (scientifically known as Cassia javanica), a member of the Fabaceae family. The species grows abundantly throughout the park and reaches its peak bloom from late April to the end of May. During this period, its striking appearance has earned it the popular name “Cat Tien cherry blossom.”

With soft, delicate petals in shades of pink and white, complemented by bright yellow stamens, the flowers create a striking visual effect. At peak bloom in early May, clusters of pink cassia resemble silk ribbons draped across sections of the forest, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Crape myrtle flowers are also in full bloom at Cat Tien National Park. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Alongside pink cassia, crape myrtle is also in full bloom, covering forest routes with vivid shades of purple. At the Da Co crape myrtle forest, visitors can cycle through an area home to ancient trees more than 300 years old. Each trunk carries its own distinctive shape, resembling a living sculpture and contributing to the park’s unique landscape.

A garden of bright yellow allamanda flowers along the riverside at Ko Nia guesthouse attracts visitors. Photo: Ngoc Lien

In recent years, beyond its native forest flora, Cat Tien has also introduced ornamental flower gardens featuring allamanda and bougainvillea, blooming along the riverbanks, offering appealing check-in spots for visitors.

In addition, at this time of year, butterflies also enter their breeding season, so along every route, visitors can not only admire the flowers, trees, and greenery, but also witness swarms of butterflies, with thousands of them fluttering across the paths. No photograph can fully capture these unique scenes; they can only be truly appreciated with the naked eye.
 

Visitors are encouraged to visit Cat Tien during the flowering season to capture its most beautiful moments. Photo: Ngoc Lien

A cluster of pink cassia flowers seen from above. Photo: Gia Vinh

Located along the Dong Nai River, Cat Tien National Park offers river-based forest tours for visitors. Photo: Gia Vinh

By N.Lien, G.Vinh – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho