Crape myrtle blossoms in the streets

Lagerstroemia, a flower characteristic of tropical South Asia, was initially planted for urban landscaping and shade, gradually becoming a familiar highlight of Hanoi every summer.

Lagerstroemia flowers come in many different colors such as purple, pink, and pale white… but purple is the most familiar color to the people of Hanoi. Lagerstroemia flowers usually grow in clusters at the end of branches, 20 to 40 cm long. They bloom from the end of April to mid-June each year during the summer. Each flower has 6 petals, each about 2 to 3.5 cm long, and when in bloom, the petals spread wide.

The enchanting purple color of the crape myrtle captivates everyone who passes by, making them stop to admire it. The purple of the crape myrtle symbolizes fidelity and is also associated with the childhood memories of countless generations of students.

In Hanoi, crape myrtle trees are planted along many streets, but the most beautiful and impressive ones can be found on streets such as Dien Bien Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Kim Ma, and Hoang Quoc Viet…

The crape myrtle tree has a dense and wide canopy, making it a popular shade tree in important buildings, parks, and streets. Additionally, it is often planted along roadsides, adding greenery and reducing the congestion, noise, and heat from traffic.

It's unclear when exactly, but the purple crape myrtle has become a familiar image, deeply intertwined with the memories of many Hanoi residents. Without even checking the dates, simply seeing the purple crape myrtle blossoms on the street is enough to know which season is approaching.

The purple color of the crape myrtle also symbolizes loyalty and is associated with the childhood memories of countless generations of students.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao