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"Hanoi in autumn, the autumn of Hanoi,"
When the milk flower season arrives, its fragrance is carried on every breeze.
The season of green rice flakes has arrived, their fragrance carried by little hands.
"Street-side sticky rice with milk, its aroma wafts through the air."
Every year around mid-August, those melodies resound, and at the same time, images of Hanoi in autumn reappear in the memories of so many people. With the arrival of autumn, Hanoi dons a new dress, becoming more romantic, more dreamy, and gentler.
"I was born and raised in Hanoi, so I can say I've spent nearly thirty autumns here. Even though I've experienced so much, every year the feeling of excitement and anticipation for those cool, pleasant days remains the same, unchanged," shared Nguyen My Linh, a photographer in Hanoi who is passionate about capturing every moment of the capital city with emotionally evocative images.
The capital city heralds autumn with cool weather, streets covered in golden leaves, and the faint scent of milk flower blossoms.
Each season in Hanoi possesses its own unique beauty. But perhaps autumn remains the most memorable for many. The delicate combination of the gentle breeze, the clear blue sky, the falling golden leaves, and carts laden with flowers seem to carry the essence of autumn along the streets. Famous streets like Phan Dinh Phung and Hoang Dieu are also adorned with a gentle and charming beauty, like the young women of Hanoi, further showcasing the beauty of autumn in Hanoi.
"Autumn brings with it the distinctive scent of milk flower blossoms, the season of young green rice flakes. Although green rice flakes are now sold year-round, those in autumn are still a specialty, impossible to find anywhere else. Even the most ordinary streets seem to become more 'romantic' and peaceful when autumn arrives," My Linh confided.
It's not difficult to spot vendors selling sticky rice flakes on the streets.
Young green rice flakes, infused with the flavors of the earth and sky, are a distinctive feature of autumn in Hanoi.
Hanoians quietly welcome and admire autumn with all their senses. Without fanfare or ostentation, they simply sit peacefully, like a gentle morning, at a roadside coffee shop, sharing a few words, and watching autumn drift languidly through the streets, creeping over rooftops and old alleyways...
Visitors to Hanoi during this time also have the opportunity to admire the beauty of autumn everywhere. Sharing with Travellive, My Linh said that tourists can take photos with flower carts on Phan Dinh Phung street, buy sticky rice cakes to enjoy with friends, sit and have lemon tea at the Grand Cathedral, or enjoy a delicious egg coffee in the cool weather – all experiences worth trying.
Strolling around familiar streets...
Sitting in a cafe and watching the people go by is a poetic moment that many people choose to welcome autumn.
Sitting at a roadside stall near the Grand Cathedral, listening to the church bells ringing every morning and evening, blending with the sounds of the old town, is also a memorable experience.
For My Linh, admiring the streets of Phan Dinh Phung covered in falling golden leaves is something she looks forward to every autumn. Phan Dinh Phung Street is perhaps the most beautiful street in Hanoi, with its two rows of straight, leafy old tamarind trees. In Hanoi during autumn, this street is radiant with magical rays of light piercing through the canopy of centuries-old trees. The street attracts the most young men and women to take photos, as under the gentle autumn sunlight, the fallen leaves paint the street with romantic golden hues.
Visiting this place, you can also encounter the unique beauty of Hanoi: bicycles laden with newly bloomed flowers, pristine daisies, and vibrant heather still glistening with morning dew. On a clear autumn day, people strolling through the streets take the opportunity to stop by the flower stalls to bring home a touch of the golden season's charm. At this time, every moss-covered street corner seems to be adorned with many striking colors, brimming with life.
These flower carts carry the essence of Hanoi's autumn.
To capture breathtaking photos of Hanoi in autumn, My Linh readily shared her secret: "I think everyone has their own unique perspective. Hanoi in autumn offers so much that people can photograph and preserve moments that only come once a year. And I'm very happy that my autumn photos have been so well-received and shared. Each photo tells a story, and the most important thing is the 'feeling,' putting emotion into each picture and the love for the city where I was born and raised. No matter what equipment you use, a camera or a phone, the ultimate goal is to capture what you've experienced."
Through My Linh's lens, Hanoi appears simple yet possesses a unique beauty.
