President of the Institute of Vietnamese Culture and Education Tran Thang has presented six Yoshino cherry trees to the central highlands city of Da Lat. — Photo thanhnien.com.vn

HA NOI  (VNS) — President of the Institute of Vietnamese Culture and Education Tran Thang has presented six Yoshino cherry trees to the central highlands city of Da Lat.

In early 2015, Thang visited Da Lat for the first time during the apricot cherry blossom season. He was impressed by its beauty and thought about organising a cherry blossom festival in Da Lat similar to those held in Japan and Washington. However, apricot cherry trees here are scarce and yet to make an impression on visitors.

To rectify this, Thang bought six trees worth US$ 2,000 in North Carolina to give to Da Lat.

"If the flowers bloom, we will raise money to senf 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees to Da Lat to be planted around Xuan Huong Lake," he said.

Yoshino is one of the most beautiful cherry blossoms Japan that Tokyo presented to Washington more than 100 years ago.

"I hope Da Lat will become the third venue in the world to hold a cherry blossom festival and attract millions of visitors," added Thang. — VNS