Parasol flowers in full bloom overlooks the citadel’s entrance - PHOTO: HIEU TRUONG

HCMC - In the third lunar month every year (around late March and early April), ngo dong, or Chinese parasol trees, are in full bloom throughout the Imperial City of Hue, Thua Thien-Hue Province. In the 19th century, King Minh Mang (1820-1841) of the Nguyen Dynasty brought parasol seeds from China to plant around Can Chanh Palace and other important spots in the citadel. The king hoped that he would soon have a prince when planting these trees. Vietnamese then believed when a phoenix perched on a parasol tree, a prince would be born.

This year, visitors can contemplate the pink flowers as this tourist attraction has been opened again after its temporarily closure because of Covid-19.

The sun shines on a parasol tree

A closer look of Chinese parasol tree, known in Vietnam as ngo dong

Parasol trees in Thai Hoa Palace

A lady in white ao dai under the shadow of a parasol tree

A procession near a parasol tree