Vietnamese
scientists have announced the discovery of 30 species of do quyen
(Rhododendron) in the Hoang Lien national park in Lao Cai, a northern mountain
province.

Dr. Nguyen
Quoc Tri, Director of the Lao Cai Department of Science and Technology, said
that of the 30 Rhododendron species in the park, 28 yield flowers so they can
be planted as ornamental trees.

There are
five species which can be used as medicines and six species that are suitable
for planting in forest.

Rhododendron
trees grow along the road from Tram Ton to Fansipan mount, the highest mount in
Southeast Asia. A forest of Rhododendron
at the height of 2000 meters has become a tourist attraction in Lao Cai.

Rhododendron
blossoms the whole year, except for December. The Hoang
Lien National
Park, therefore, is called the kingdom
of Rhododendron flowers in Vietnam.
It is recognized as the ASEAN heritage garden.

In Vietnam, Rhododendron grows naturally in
mountain areas, such as Sapa in Lao Cai, Bach Ma in Da Nang, Tam Dao in Vinh Phuc, Da Lat in Lam
Dong.

PV