As autumn arrives, and the first chilly winds of the approaching winter begin to weave through the streets, Ba Vi National Park dons its vibrant golden coat of wild sunflowers. This wildflower, with its elegant beauty and vitality, has become a signature symbol of Ba Vi in late autumn, attracting numerous visitors to admire and immerse themselves in the poetic natural landscape.
The Beauty of Ba Vi Wild Sunflower Season: When Yellow Hues Paint the Mountains and Forests
Wild sunflowers, also known as Mexican sunflowers or tree marigolds, are plants with remarkable vitality, easily growing and thriving even in barren lands. Every late autumn, early winter, from late October to early December, the wild sunflowers bloom profusely, displaying their bright and warm yellow amidst the cool weather.
Each wild sunflower has about 13 petals, spreading in a circle with a diameter of 8-10cm. The petals are a radiant yellow, like sunlight, always facing the light, expressing pride and indomitable spirit in the face of nature’s harshness. Beyond their captivating beauty, wild sunflowers are also known as symbols of faithful and unwavering love. This is why many tourists visit Ba Vi during the wild sunflower season not only to admire the flowers but also to send wishes for beautiful and lasting love and friendship.
Despite their profound meaning and heart-stirring beauty, wild sunflowers are not typically given as gifts in social interactions or romantic relationships like many other flowers. Instead, people seek out wild sunflowers to admire them, to feel their untamed beauty, to immerse themselves in the vast natural space, and to capture moments of emotional elevation before the mesmerizing beauty of this flower.
In Ba Vi National Park, wild sunflowers were planted by the French from 1930-1945. Today, after nearly a century, wild sunflowers have become an indispensable part of the Ba Vi landscape, contributing to the unique appeal of this region every autumn and winter.
Vibrant yellow wild sunflowers blooming in Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi Wild Sunflower Season 2023 Travel Guide
To ensure visitors have a complete and memorable trip to Ba Vi during the wild sunflower season, “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) shares the following helpful tips:
Peak Bloom Time for Wild Sunflowers
The wild sunflower season in Ba Vi usually lasts from late October to early December each year. In 2023, the blooming season is expected to take place from October 21, 2023, to December 4, 2023. However, the peak bloom time may vary depending on weather conditions. For the most accurate information, visitors should follow updates from Ba Vi National Park or reputable travel websites before planning their trip.
The ideal time to admire wild sunflowers is in the early morning or late afternoon. At these times, the sunlight is soft and not too harsh, allowing you to take beautiful photos without being blinded by the glare. Moreover, the air is also fresher and more pleasant, perfect for strolling and enjoying the natural scenery.
Best Places to See Wild Sunflowers in Ba Vi
The wild sunflower forest in Ba Vi National Park covers a vast area of over 10 hectares, spread across 5 different zones. To reach the sunflower forest, after purchasing your entrance ticket and passing through the control gate, continue moving up to elevation 400m. Along the winding curves, you will begin to see strips of vibrant yellow wild sunflowers on both sides of the road.
After passing the pine forest at elevation 400m for about 200m, park your vehicle and walk an additional 300m along the trail to reach the official “Wild Sunflower Forest.” Here, you can freely explore walking paths stretching over 3km, weaving through the endless yellow flower carpet, interspersed with the vast green of the Tan Vien mountains and forests.
Tourists enjoy taking photos in the wild sunflower forest in Ba Vi
Entrance Fees and Other Costs
Entrance fees to Ba Vi National Park in 2023 are as follows:
- Adult ticket: VND 60,000/person/entry
- Student ticket: VND 20,000/person/entry
- Student ticket: VND 10,000/person/entry
- Concession ticket (seniors over 60, disabled persons…): VND 30,000/person/entry
To receive concession tickets, visitors need to bring their student ID, senior citizen card, or valid proof.
In addition to the entrance fee, you will need to pay parking fees:
- Motorcycle parking: VND 5,000/bike/entry/point
- Bicycle parking: VND 3,000/bike/entry/point
- Car parking (hourly rate):
- Up to 9-seater cars: VND 25,000/hour (hour 1, 2), VND 35,000/hour (hour 3, 4), VND 45,000/hour (from hour 5 onwards)
- Over 10-seater cars: VND 30,000/hour (hour 1, 2), VND 45,000/hour (hour 3, 4), VND 55,000/hour (from hour 5 onwards)
Ba Vi National Park uses electronic card software for automatic parking fee calculation, which includes 60 minutes of travel on internal roads.
If you need accommodation or dining in Ba Vi National Park, you can refer to the following services:
- Bavi Resort (elevation 400m): Phone 0977908669 (Ms. Oanh)
- Tent rental: Phone 0976380979 (Mr. Tan)
- Dining at elevation 1100m: Phone 0987501363 (Ms. Hai), 0948323332 (Mr. Tan)
Directions to Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park is about 60km from the center of Hanoi, with convenient transportation. Visitors can travel by various means:
- Motorbike, private car:
- Route 1 (Thang Long Avenue): Follow Thang Long Avenue, then go straight onto Provincial Road 414 (Son Tay – Da Chong) to Km8 + 800m, turn left according to the signs to Ba Vi National Park.
- Route 2 (National Highway 32): Follow National Highway 32 to Son Tay intersection, turn left onto Provincial Road 414 (Son Tay – Da Chong) and proceed similarly to Route 1.
- From Vinh Phuc: Cross Vinh Thinh Bridge, turn left onto the Son Tay bypass, at Son Loc intersection turn right onto Provincial Road 414, then follow the signs.
- From Phu Tho: Cross Trung Ha Bridge, Van Lang Bridge or Dong Quang Bridge, ask for directions to Ba Vi National Park.
- From Hoa Binh: Follow National Highway 6 to Xuan Mai, turn left onto Xuan Mai – Son Tay road, then turn left onto Provincial Road 414. Or take the Hoa Binh – Che – Da Chong route, turn right and ask for directions to Ba Vi National Park.
- Bus: Take bus number 214 (Yen Nghia Station – Xuan Khanh) or 71, 74 (My Dinh – Xuan Khanh) to Son Tay bus station, then take bus number 110 (Son Tay – Ba Vi National Park) to reach the National Park.
Aerial view of a section of the wild sunflower forest in Ba Vi
Important Notes for Traveling to Ba Vi Wild Sunflower Season
To ensure safety and a smooth trip, visitors should note the following:
- Traffic safety: Check your vehicle carefully before departure, fill up with fuel. If traveling by motorbike or private car, pay attention to driving safely on mountain roads, avoid speeding, reckless overtaking, and do not coast downhill.
- Attire: Choose low-heeled sports shoes or hiking boots for easy movement and to avoid slipping. Wear discreet, comfortable clothing suitable for the cool autumn-winter weather.
- Environmental awareness: Maintain general hygiene, do not litter, and bring waste to designated places. Do not arbitrarily pick flowers, break branches, uproot plants, or hunt animals in the National Park.
- Compliance with regulations: Do not drive over the speed limit, do not swerve or perform wheelies, do not drink alcohol beyond the permitted concentration, wear a helmet, and have a full driver’s license.
Violations will result in refusal of service and no refund of entrance tickets.
In case you need assistance, you can contact the following phone numbers:
- Center for Environmental Education & Services: 0966173119; 0963871996 (Mr. Hung)
- Mobile Forest Protection Station: 0987165113; 0974061038 (Mr. Luan)
- Forest Protection Station at elevation 1,100m: 0979718872 (Mr. Chinh)
Visitors posing with wild sunflowers in Ba Vi
Conclusion
Ba Vi wild sunflower season is one of the wonderful travel experiences you should not miss every year-end. With its brilliant beauty, fresh natural space, and helpful travel tips that “Du lịch khắp thế gian” has just shared, we hope you will have a truly memorable and joyful trip to Ba Vi National Park. Plan your trip today to explore and fully enjoy the beauty of Ba Vi wild sunflower season 2023!