Lotus ponds with tranquil and rustic beauty in the Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces have become a magnet for visitors and photography enthusiasts.

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Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

In May-June every year, Tran Minh Tri, 32, living in Quang Nam province, travels to the rural areas to capture photos of lotus ponds.

The above picture is the Tra Ly - Dong Lon lotus pond in Chanh Loc village, Duy Son commune, Duy Xuyen district. It covers about 20 hectares and is the most beautiful and largest of its kind in Quang Nam, VnExpress reported.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Tra Ly - Dong Lon lotus pond is nestled amid the green forest and undulating mountains, creating a serene beauty. Thanh Van, from Da Nang, said she really liked this lotus pond because it offered a variety of spectacular check-in corners.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Hanh Nguyen, also from Da Nang, wears a white Ao Dai (the traditional Vietnamese long dress) to take photos with lotus.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

The best time to admire and take photos of the lotus is from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., when dewdrop still lingers on flowers and leaves.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Two girls are eagerly taking photos at the Tra Ly - Dong Lon lotus pond. Apart from taking photos, tourists can also buy flowers as gifts for their relatives and friends.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Chanh Loc village now has about 50 households growing lotus on an area of more than 40 hectares. Lotus ponds have brought a significant income source and have become an attractive eco-tourism destination for tourists from neighboring localities such as Da Nang, Hoi An, and Tam Ky.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Another not-to-be-missed lotus pond is located next to the rice fields in La Thap Dong village in Duy Hoa commune, Duy Xuyen district.

“La Thap Dong villagers alternately grow lotus and rice. In addition, more spacious concrete roads leading to the village have been built, facilitating tourists to visit and take pictures of lotus ponds,” Tri said.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

In Quang Nam, it is not difficult to seek a romantic lotus pond, like the one in the Binh Quy commune in the Thang Binh district. The pond has burst into full bloom. Coming here, visitors can see trains passing by.

Photo: Tran Minh Tri/ via VnExpress

Rustic houses behind Binh Quy lotus pond.

According to Tri, at several lotus ponds, tourists need to pay fees.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

A peaceful morning at a lotus pond in La Chu village, Huong Chu ward, Huong Tra town, about 12 km from downtown Hue.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

The picturesque beauty of La Chu village with a pink lotus pond on one side and a golden rice field on the other.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

A lotus bud under the sun.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

The locals grow lotus from April to July and harvest them within 30 days.

Old lotus flowers are brought ashore for their seeds to be split and sold to traders.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

This photo was taken in Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, around 27 kilometers from the Hue city center.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

In Quang Loi commune, pink lotuses are mainly grown for their seeds and flowers. Fresh, unpeeled lotus seeds are sold for VND45,000-50,000 (US$ 1.96- US$ 2.18) a kilo, with prices rising to VND55,000 a kilo at the end of the harvest season.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

After visiting pink lotus ponds, do not miss out on the opportunity to admire the Tinh Tam white pond in Thuy Bang commune in Huong Thuy town. The pond is close to the tomb of King Minh Mang, about 10 km south of Hue city center.

Photo: Kelvin Long/ via VnExpress

Lotus ponds in Hue have been expanded. Lotuses are mainly grown in Phu Vang, Phu Loc, Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra, and Huong Thuy.

For many years, Hue has been famous for its lotus tea with a distinctive flavor.

Malie Nguyen