Admire the pure white color of Hanoi's milk flowers
When autumn comes to Hanoi, the sweet fragrance of milk flowers begins to spread throughout the streets. This flower has become a symbol of autumn, deeply imprinted in the memories of many generations with long streets filled with cool breezes, the gentle scent of milk flowers as if it were a piece of Hanoi's soul. The pure white, tiny flowers form into small clusters, creating a white sky. Just one blooming milk flower tree is enough to fill the entire street corner with its fragrant scent.
This flower is grown a lot on familiar streets such as Nguyen Du, Le Duan, Quan Thanh... Although not everyone likes its scent, inhaling the scent of milk flowers on Hanoi streets is still an experience worth trying when coming to Hanoi in the fall.
Enjoy the specialty of Vong village green rice
Autumn in Hanoi has its own specialties, first of all, green rice and green rice products such as green rice pudding, green rice cake... delicious, soft and sticky, making Hanoi's culinary enthusiasts fascinated. When mentioning green rice, people will immediately think of Vong village, where the tradition of making green rice is the oldest and most famous. Walking along the streets of Hanoi in autumn, you will easily come across street vendors selling green rice wrapped in taro leaves, covered with lotus leaves, tied with straw to prevent drying.
But to enjoy the green rice dish properly, you have to taste it slowly to be able to gradually feel the full flavor of the sticky, fragrant, sweet taste in each grain of green rice. In addition, Hanoians often like to use ripe bananas or ripe persimmons to dip with green rice, bringing a unique flavor that is also irresistible.
Walking around Phan Dinh Phung street
Phan Dinh Phung Street is a peaceful street between two rows of shady green old trees, known as one of the most romantic streets in Hanoi. And no one knows since when that street has become a symbol of autumn in Hanoi.
When autumn comes, the rows of old trees along the road begin to shed their leaves, making the road covered with fallen yellow leaves, making it so beautiful that it makes the heart ache. This already romantic scene becomes even more poetic. That is why every season, photographers from professionals to amateurs come here to capture this once-a-year moment.
Warm your stomach with a bowl of hot banh duc
When the weather in Hanoi turns to autumn and brings a chilly atmosphere, it would be a big mistake to forget hot banh duc. Although not a delicacy, hot banh duc is an afternoon treat that fascinates many Hanoians.
A bowl of hot banh duc cannot be without minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, shallots and coriander. People usually scoop the thick banh duc into a small bowl with a wide mouth, then add minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, fried onions and coriander on top, and finally pour the broth with a little oil. The rich taste of the thick banh duc, a little richness from the minced meat, the aroma of fried onions, coriander and the sweet and sour taste of the broth blend together to create a perfect dish. This bowl of banh duc is even more delicious if you add a little pepper and chili powder.
Watching Long Bien Bridge in Autumn
An experience that you should not miss in the autumn of Hanoi is to walk and admire Long Bien Bridge. After more than a century of existence, Long Bien Bridge is not only a witness to the great history of Hanoi, but also a familiar corner that evokes the memories of many generations of Hanoians.
Walking along the bridge, you will see green alluvial plains with banana gardens, vast vegetable fields and blooming reed forests along the river banks and sandbanks in the middle of the Red River. On Long Bien Bridge, there are street vendors selling some local gifts such as star fruit, guava, jicama or shrimps, fishes just caught in the river brought to the bridge by the people. In particular, Long Bien Bridge in the afternoon sunlight of autumn days is even more romantic. All create a beautiful scene and become a source of inspiration for photographers, at the same time attracting many tourists when visiting Hanoi.
Enjoy a glass of sour plum juice
Autumn in Hanoi cannot be missed with a glass of cool apricot juice. Simply a common fruit soaked in sugar, apricot juice has become a Hanoi specialty that captivates many people with its sweet and sour taste, combined with the fragrant smell of ginger juice.
You can find this drink anywhere on the sidewalks and corners of Hanoi. On a cold day, sipping a glass of sour plum juice and chatting with friends in the middle of the street will make your autumn afternoon more complete and meaningful.
Watching the sunset at West Lake
If asked where is the most peaceful place, Hanoians will certainly answer “West Lake”. Because no matter how crowded and bustling the city is, when you stop on any road around the lake, you can enjoy the peaceful beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.
In particular, West Lake is also considered the most beautiful place to watch the sunset in Hanoi. Every afternoon, no matter where you stop around the lake, you can admire that romantic scene. In the chilly autumn weather of Hanoi, what could be more wonderful than a walk around the lake, stopping and watching the sunset gradually fall on West Lake?
Eat cartilage porridge at night
Pork rib porridge has long been a popular snack loved by many people in Hanoi. People eat pork rib porridge regardless of the time of day or season of the year, but perhaps the most suitable is still on autumn nights, when the weather starts to get chilly.
Over the years, the flavor and ingredients of the bowls of cartilage porridge have not changed. The porridge is cooked thoroughly with cartilage ribs, and when eating, people often order fried breadsticks and pork floss. Such a simple and rustic dish, but its flavor is rich and irresistible.
