Hanoi - A yellow mustard blossoming season

1. Hanoi welcomes winter with the magnificent yellow mustard season

Each year beginning around November, visitors flock to riverside villages near Hanoi to witness the splendor of the annual mustard blossoms.

Couple come there to take photos for wedding

Fields of luscious yellow blooms are located 30 km west of Hanoi and holidaymakers, especially city-dwellers with little time, are drawn to the area for its breathtaking beauty.

Every year when the cold comes in from the north, the mustard plants come into bloom and last until March. The golden flora has even become a symbol of northern Vietnam’s countryside. 

Fields of mustard blossoms in villages along the Duong River banks in Gia Lam District of Hanoi and Thuan Thanh District of Bac Ninh Province are the most famous, with a strip of yellow blooms stretching all the way to the horizon.

An ideal place for photographer 

2. Hanoi yellow mustard blossoming season - a heaven for photograph.

There are three kinds of mustard flowers native to Vietnam. One is white in color, giving the blossoms a look of purity, the second is a brilliant yellow variety, and another is a deep golden hue giving the impression of tiny sunflowers.

Hanoi - A yellow mustard blossoming season

Mustard is also grown along the national highway from Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi’s city center, dazzling visitors upon their arrival.

Hanoi - A yellow mustard blossoming season

Read more about Hanoi Flower season

Trang Le, a reporter from Vietnam television, said she liked to sit on a dyke and watch the endless fields of golden blooms. It gives her great joy to see visitors delight over the spectacular scenery, she added.

Hanoi - A yellow mustard blossoming season

Mustards blossoms are also used in cooking or to garnish dishes, but many say they look most impressive growing wild in their natural environment. No matter what the weather, the flowers have a way of brightening even the cloudiest of days.

Hanoi - A yellow mustard blossoming season

The delicate flora also makes the perfect backdrop for photos and provides unlimited inspiration for artists. Others, meanwhile, simply like to sit quietly and take in the stunning surroundings.

The most important thing is to experience nature and a different feeling from that of living in urban areas, said Nguyen Thanh, a student from Thang Long University.

“Although the mustard fields aren’t that far from Hanoi, when you stand amongst them it seems like the traffic, pollution, and bustling activity of the city just melt away,” he added.

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Source: Vietwindtravel

Hanoi Flower Seasons

If you want to explore the distinction of 4 seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter in Vietnam, let’s take a trip to Hanoi and feel it. Each season, Hanoi has its own specificites, special foods and flowers.

 The sua trees are blossoming on the streets of Hanoi

 Hoa Sua, also known as Dalbergia bouruana gagu flowers, have become an integral part of Hanoiains.At this time of March the city is adorned with white blossoms, even though drizzles continue with no signs of stopping

The lily with its elegant white beauty is called the flower of April which blossoms once a year

Those who visit Hanoi in April cannot resist the beautiful white color and gentle fragrance of lilies which are carried on the back-seat of street-vendors to every corner of the capital.

Lotus in West Lake is one of the most famous flower of Hanoi. Lotus season is on June

Every year, from May to July according to the lunar calendar, the ponds near the West Lake are covered with the pink of lotus blossoms, which have become a favourite rendezvous of young people in Hanoi and the endless inspiration for artists to create art. During this time of the year, the fragrance of lotus flowers follow vendors to every corner of the streets and its alluring perfume seems to mingle into the air and reminds Hanoians of the past. It is hard to find another flower with a fragrance that is more attracting than that of lotus.

Hanoi also has many precious lotus varieties, especially those from the West Lake area.

Some parts of lotus flowers are used as medicine or to scent tea, making it a tonic drink for a healthy physical and mental life. Visiting the West Lake area during the lotus season, people have a chance to not only enjoy the pure beauty of lotus flowers - the symbol of culture, spirit and elegant personality of the Vietnamese, but also to buy lotus scented tea, a famous specialty of Hanoi.

 Quynh Flower - This unique flower only bloom at 10pm and last to 7am

Milk flowers are traditional symbol of Hanoi’s autumn

Milk flowers are traditional symbol of Hanoi’s autumn. There're many songs and that mention  their charming   fragrance.Walking along Hanoi’s streets and besides its lakes, you breath in the beautifully sweet fragrance of Hoa Sua, or Milk Flowers. The streets where milk flower abound such as Phan Dinh Phung and Hoang Hoa Tham, and the National University’s campus don beautiful cloaks of white when the season of milk flowers returns.

The fragrant “milk flower” has been the symbol of autumn in Hanoi for generations. Blossoming when fall arrives, it delights everyone who loves the city. Ms Thanh, a Hanoi resident says:“I love Hanoi with all its memories of my childhood and family. I still remember my school days and poems about the flowers blossoming in Hanoi’s streets.”

 Milk flower trees line the streets, perfuming the night air and creating an area of romance for young couples out on a date. Hanoians say when the  milk flowers are in bloom, it’s the best time to visit the capital city.

 Narcissus  for Tet in Hanoi

Read more about Snail noodle soup in Hanoi

When spring comes, in addition to pink peaches and yellow apricots, charming narcissus add more color to the spring picture and excite the Tet atmosphere. The elegance, nobility and light fragrance of narcissus inspire a lot of flower connoisseurs.

Flowers are considered messages of the soul and the symbol of beauty. It’s a meticulous job to care for the narcissus, but it’s a tradition for Hanoians. Displaying this elegant flowers during Tet, people wish to recall the past and preserve a beautiful cultural tradition.

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Vietwindtravel

5 PLACES TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS NIGHT IN HANOI

Although Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, it has been received much recognition from the local residents. From the beginning of December, Hanoi’s streets are all decorated with Noel’s patterns that create a festive environment helping any expats off being homesick in the night of Christmas. Hanoi’s weather also supports the day which is often cold and dry; the only missing factor for a perfect Noel is snow.

Integrating with Hanoi’s festive environment, you can totally have fun for this Christmas if you are in Hanoi. Here are our suggestions to the best place to go for Christmas in the capital city:

Hang Ma Street in Hanoi Old Quarter 

Hang Ma street in Christmas

Located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hang Ma Street always catches up with the trend by selling ornaments in special events like International Children’s Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year Eve, Tet Holiday and Christmas. Anything you need to decorate your Christmas tree as well as gifts and greeting cards can easily be found here with low prices.

Making full use of your trip to walk around Hanoi’s Old Quarter should be a good idea since it may remind you of your hometown with Christmas Trees being put up in front of restaurants; snowmen made from cotton near Ice-cream shops or numbers of Santa and his reindeers on sides of clothe stores. It’s not weird if you see one or two Santa driving motorbike instead of the reindeers on streets because they are actually gifts delivers.

Hanoi Church

Hanoi Church

Praying in church is an indispensible for any Christian believer in the night of Christmas. Luckily, there are many churches around Hanoi in which ones may enjoy a wide variety of religious activities as well as hymns singing and other music performance. Among the churches around Hanoi, Saint Joseph Cathedral (40 Nha Trung Street, Hoan Kiem) should be the most magnificent and famous one. Besides, ones may visit Ham Long Church (21 Ham Long Street, Hoan Kiem) or Cua Bac Church (56 Phan Dinh Phung, Ba Dinh).

Hotels dinner buffet in Hanoi

Christmas is when high-star hotels in Hanoi offer the most luxury buffet party and hilarious music performance. Standing out among the hotels should be Sofitel Metropole Hanoi where 1001 fairy tales are reproduced in one night in its La Beaulieu and Spices Garden restaurant. Artists wearing Aladdin, Snow White or Peter Pan costume will entertain you with special art shows while tasting excellent international foods. The price is USD 75 for an adult, USD 46 for children aging 9-12 and USD 33 for kid from 3-8.

With a lower price range, from USD 20-40, tourists can still enjoy a luxury Christmas night at Hilton Hanoi Opera, Melia Hanoi or Hanoi Daewoo.

Read more about Five Hanoi Cafes Trends.

Music shows and parties

Hanoi Opera House

On the night of Christmas or the night before, there are many fantastic music shows of many genres such as pop-ballad; classic or jazz occurring in Hanoi, especially the outside area of Hanoi Opera House and the inside as well. The themes of those shows are no doubt about Christmas.

Additionally, international organizations and universities and embassies usually organize Christmas party to welcome their native civilians and ones with the same interest to join and cheer up for the night.

Shopping malls in Hanoi

Shopping mall in Hanoi at Christmas

Because there is no Black Friday in Hanoi, Noel and New Year Eve are good chances for shopping malls launching their biggest promotional campaign of the year which shocking sale off and hundreds of new arrivals. Parson, Vincom Plaza Tower, Ruby Plaza and Garden Mall are the most remarkable shopping centers in Hanoi. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to pick up one or two most trendy pieces of fashion.

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Source: Vietnamonline

Ancient House In Hanoi

Ma May ancient house in Hanoi

1. Ma May ancient house - the corner of old time in Hanoi

Located modest new buildings painted with flashy billboards, flashy, the house at 87 Ma May Street old beauty, simple like brushstrokes common in competition “City Mission”. This is one of the few remaining old houses.

Ma May Street located north of Hoan Kiem lake along the banks of the Red River, between May and Item Silver (ancient or sell gold code). Where “on the boat dock under” crowded trade, perhaps so that the house at 87 Ma May bold architectural of the Kinh States. Designed tubular, roof tiles, narrow width, has more class separation. Is outside the store, instead of wood-frame wall system with handy sliding doors. Inside a rooftop sun for a light, or rain water to water. Behind two home goods space and as a place to cook.

Ancient Houses In Hanoi

The house at 87 Ma May was identified to be about 110 years old. Originally, Ma May Street consisted of two shorter streets: the first section was Hang May street, where goods made from rattan were marketed, and the second one constituted a part of Hang Ma Street with things for sacrifices made from paper. In this street there were numerous businessmen, both domestic and foreign. In 1954, five Chinese families came and installed themselves in this house. That is why the house was strongly deformed, and the traditional architecture was damaged

The house at 87 Ma May is a place to present the typical architecture of Hanoi’s ancient houses. The ancient houses have generally a small, pretty form and appearance like the Vietnamese people themselves. Following the former feudal ideology, houses were not allowed to be higher than the shoulders of the King’s palanquin, because when the King was in his palanquin, nobody was allowed to see the face of His Excellency.

2. Ma May ancient house where preserve the typical characteristics of ancient Hanoi

The ancient houses had a tube - like shape. Their width is usually narrow, sometimes only of 2m, while their length can amount up to 60 - 70m. Under such circumstances, to get enough light and fresh air, there is always a yard between houses. The principal construction material used is wood. However, during 100 recent years, people began to use bricks and traditional mortar made from honey and leaves to build walls or stick tiles on slope roofs. The window bars, doors and roof rafters are all decorated with dragon - or phoenix - shaped vignettes, and other designs. 

Ancient Houses In Hanoi

Read more about Hanoi Favourite Restaurant

The house at 87 Ma May Street was built in the late nineteenth century, in 1954 a merchant selling herbs buy over and over again to change the other. By 1999 the house was restored and certified national historic monument in 2004. Currently, it became interesting tourist destination between the old town to the people throughout the country and international friends. In addition to cultural activities such as singing in the evening’s categories of teachers wards Thang Long Ca Tru, it also showcases multifaceted and promote our country’s traditional crafts such as: silver encrusted, paper paintings Wind, lacquer, Dong Ho painting village or national instrument of the commune.

It is a place preserving the marks of passing time since the days  of old Hanoi.

It is a place preserving the marks of passing time since the days
 of old Hanoi. 

Ma May Street has the largest number of ancient houses, which were “tube houses” with a narrow front and long house with an open air  space in the centre to help circulation.

Ma May Street has the largest number of ancient houses, which were
“tube houses” with a narrow front and long house with an open air
 space in the centre to help circulation. 

Time seems to stop here amidst the overwhelming modern life  of the city

The unique features of the ancient house remain undamaged  even after all the ups and downs of history.

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Vietwindtravel.

FIVE HANOI CAFÉS TRENDS

 

vintage style cafe

Mentioning Hanoi, people may immediately think of a cultural space with various etiquettes and customs from the old time. Although tea is a big thing, coffee and the way people enjoy it are also among the most recognizable characteristics of this ancient capital city. Beginning a day with a cup of hot coffee is an indispensible hobby of many working Hanoians, though each one has his or her own way in his or her own favourite place. And unlike major capital cities elsewhere in the world, coffee in Hanoi is hardly found in chain with standard menu, but very versatile and unique. Coffee houses spread anywhere from sidewalk to office building, from being colorful to attract teenagers to offering more human-animal interaction in the busy Hanoi.

1.      Sidewalk cafés in Hanoi

Sidewalk cafés

Sidewalk cafe on Nguyen Du Street is a popular gathering place

Appearing in Hanoi since the first years of 19s, during colonial time, street café is undoubtedly the most popular choice of Hanoians to enjoy a cup of coffee. Here, there is no light, no candle, no flower nor beautiful bartenders; people can only see simple installation with little chairs and even no tables, a lot of noise and even dust.

However, drinking coffee on pavements has gone to the heart of coffee holics in this city, where people can watch the busy life of Hanoi and express any feeling or laugh out loud carefree of interruption, since everyone coming to such coffee shop with the same purpose. Frequent customers of street cafe is also the most diverse, with both office staffs, students and sometimes housewives.

Ones may doubt about the quality of coffee on pavement shop but don’t worry because these shops have appeared long enough to prove their stable position. From subjective view of a coffee holic, I can say confidently that street coffee is the cheapest but the best quality of this drink in Hanoi. Most famous street café shops are Giang on 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, café Nguyen Du, Tonkin, café Dao Duy Tu or café Thai Phien.

2.      Office Cafés in Hanoi

Ciao Cafe 

Ciao Cafe on 2 Hang Bai street is a good option for hanging out with colleagues

This category is named “Office Café” because besides coming to drink coffee, customers of these shops seeking for a professional decorated ambiance; beautiful view; excellent service to work, read newspaper or books; discuss serious or business matters; or simply to have quiet moments for a cup of coffee fleeing from the hustle and bustle of social life.

Most of the upmarket coffee shops in Hanoi follow this style, usually on top or inside a high-star hotel with stunning overview from the above of Hanoi of lying silently inside the lush green of a garden giving relaxing glimpse to its customers.

In addition, for such high quality coffee shops, there are live music performances daily or weekly is another plus point for ones’ consideration.

  
Find more about The Acient House in Hanoi

3.      Teenagers’ Cafés in Hanoi

 Unicorn's Home Cafe - lý Thường kiệt street

Cookie Jar - 79D Ly Nam De - is hot spot for Hanoi teens who love romance

This type of coffee shop has been expanded dramatically in recent year which is especially invented for teenagers and the youth. Coffee is no doubt the main course of these shops but their menu usually composed of vitamins, yogurt, cocktails and fast-foods. The interior of teen café is well decorated by wall painting with animated themes creating a hilarious but cozy ambiance for teenagers to either gossiping or studying effectively. To comment, this coffee style is more entertaining than enjoying coffee.

4.      Themed cafés in Hanoi

Themed cafés - Vintage style

Pursuing market demands and standing out from the others, coffee shops in Hanoi are now designed in specific themes. Those themes are very diverse which may vary from an address for people with the same interest like pets’ coffee for animal lovers or antique coffee for ones who are interested in collecting antiques.

To select out the most unique theme cafés shop in Hanoi, Bird Cafés on Nguyen Du Street is no where can be found in the world. Here, thousands of rare species of birds creating melodious orchestras are displayed in front of the very eyes of customers. Besides sipping a cup of coffee to power up oneself, contemplate beautiful birds and listen to their songs is another way to dismiss stresses.

Another very special coffee shop in Hanoi is Art Coffee on 76 Quan Thanh Street, whose theme is antiques. The shop seems to be a small stadium preserving antiques of all regions in Vietnam of different dates. Art coffee is really a meeting-place of all archaeology lovers in not only Vietnam but also foreigners with the same interest

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Source: Vietnamonline