An over-four-meter-high gate formed from two yellow apricot blossom trees in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam has recently become a sensation as people have come to take pictures with it on the Lunar New Year (Tet) occasion.

The trees have been grown by Vo Van Banh at his house in Dinh My Commune, Thoai Son District for the past 31 years.

During this year’s Tet holiday, the 70-year-old farmer is no longer surprised to see people stopping by his house and asking to take photos with his impressive gate.

“The trees have been blooming in recent days so a lot of people stopped over for a few pictures,” Banh said.

“I’m happy that people enjoy it.

“Many of them, especially young people, were very polite.”

In southern Vietnam, yellow apricot blossoms are considered a Tet symbol, with growners taking care of the trees in order to keep flowers in full bloom in time to celebrate the holiday. 

Le Thi Mang, 64, from the provincial capital of Long Xuyen was so fascinated with the beauty of the gate that she had to stop while going by it on her way to visit her mother’s hometown in Dinh My Commune.

“I have never seen a gate like this before,” she said.

Banh said it took him more than ten years to shape the yellow apricot trees into the gate.

“The trees were the size of a chopstick when I started planting them, and now they have grown up into a gate of over four meters in height,” Banh said.

“The gate has witnessed a lot of my memories.

“I am old now, so besides working in the field, I take care of ornamental flowers as a hobby.”

Banh said people offered to buy his trees, but the septuagenarian turned them down and decided to keep the gate for his enjoyment.

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