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Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is located at the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula, covering 331,699 sq. km, with a population of over 98 million inhabitants, making it the world's 15th-most populous country.
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Bauhinia variegata is native to an area from China through Southeast Asia to the Indian subcontinent Common names include orchid tree (though not belonging to the family Orchidaceae) and mountain ebony
Bauhinia variegata is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers and also used as a food item in Indian cuisine
If Bombax ceiba is reminiscent beauty of the Northern countryside, Bauhinia variegata is the signature flower of the Northwestern mountains. Such flower is widely grown in Ciputra Hanoi, from Eco Path to each porch of villa area
Bauhinia variegata blows dramatically in March, when drizzle has stopped and warm sunshine has been up
For generations, Hoa Ban (Bauhinia) flowers have been associated culturally and spiritually with Thai and Tay ethnic minority groups living in Vietnam’s northwestern mountains
Local people consider Ban, which bloom in March, “the king” of flowers. In the Thai language, “ban” means “sweet”. A Ban tree is 2 to 6 meters tall and has rough, grey bark and abundant long branches
Ban flowers have soft, sweet fragrance. In March, when Ban season peaks, mountain sides covered in flowering Ban trees create a romantic picture
The five-petaled flowers can be purple, white, or red, but the majority are white. White Ban flowers often appear in poems to symbolize the charm and beauty of Thái and Tày women
There are three myths explaining the origin of Ban flowers, all of which praise the flower as a symbol of pure, faithful love as well as filial piety and gratitude
Local legend has it that in the northwest there was a beautiful girl named Ban, blessed with a voice that could make any boy fall in love
Overhearing her father discussing betrothing her to a rich man’s son, Ban left home to find her lover, but without success
Finally, she died of exhaustion and turned into a white flower locals call Ban or Bauhinia - a symbol of faithful love. Khum, who eventually passed away, turned into a lonely bird
With pristine white, “ban” petals create a limpid beauty for northwestern forests and mountains
H'Mong women walk on narrow and dangerous mountainous roads surrounded by Bauhinia flowers to go to their fields.
The Thai people have discovered that Ban trees have many benefits. The bark can be used as an indigo dye, the flowers and leaves can cure sore throats, and the seeds and buds can be boiled and eaten
Ban flowers can be eaten, too, and are often mixed into salads with galangal, bamboo shoots, and wild vegetables, or stir-fried with garlic, stewed with trotters, and then boiled and served with “cham cheo” – a local spice made of wild herbs. Dishes made with Ban flowers are eaten as an everyday meal or served at banquets. The flower has become a signature ingredient of the Thai people
Despite originating from mountainous northern area, Ban flowers (or Bauhinia Variegata flowers) has recently become popular on the land of the capital city of Vietnam
The image of Ban trees lines flowering in purple during February besides Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or along small streets of Hanoi has attracted many visitors for photos taking
Bauhinia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae Common names include orchid tree, purple bauhinia, camel's foot, butterfly tree, and Hawaiian orchid tree
Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong orchid tree) Bauhinia purpurea
