The phoenix tree on Thuy Van Street, Vung Tau City has flowers on the seaside, and green leaves on the other side, is becoming a place to attract tourists to take pictures.
The phoenix tree is planted on the sidewalk in front of the tourist area on Thuy Van street, Vung Tau city. Phuong is grown quite a lot in the coastal city, but the difference between this tree is that it only blooms half of the canopy, facing the back beach. The other half has green leaves and less cotton.
Mr. Tuan, a photographer on the beach, said that the phoenix tree has existed for more than 30 years and blooms every summer. About 10 years ago, when the resort dismantled the restaurant on the seaside, the phoenix tree blossomed like it is today. “No one has noticed before. This year the flower bloomed the most beautifully, making it suddenly famous online”, Mr. Tuan said.
In recent days, many people have stood in the heart of Thuy Van street to watch and take pictures with the phoenix tree. Mr. Pham Khac To, Director of Vung Tau City Tourist Support and Management Center, said that this phoenix tree has been “half leaf and half flower” for many years. The reason flowers only bloom on the sea side is because the salty wind blows the leaves off. “The phoenix tree is similar to the apricot flower, if you don’t pluck the leaves, it won’t bloom,” said Mr. To.
Living in Vung Tau for more than 20 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien (far left, left) first knew about this phoenix tree. On the morning of May 6, she and her friends came to take pictures. “I go to the beach, go back and forth a lot. But before you sent me the photo, I didn’t know this strange phoenix tree at all,” said Ms. Hien.
The tree tends to lean towards the mainland, so Vung Tau city authorities use iron rods and fixed straps.
After posting photos on social networks, Thuy Kieu, a tourist from Binh Thuan, broadcasted live for friends and relatives to see the tree together.
From Ho Chi Minh City to travel, Huyen Nhu came to check in. She said she was quite satisfied with the photos taken with the phoenix tree.
The phoenix tree has two fairly uniform trunks, growing many large branches. The body is more than 10 m tall, the base is big enough for an adult to hug.
“The tree does not flower on its own but divides it in two. It’s the first time I’ve seen such an interesting phoenix tree,” said Le Huyen Tran, from Ba Ria city who is taking a photo with her friend.