Hanoi gracefully passes through 12 flower seasons, each one exuding its own captivating fragrance, evoking love and nostalgia. Amid modern life, where flower stalls are gradually replaced by floral-laden vehicles, the capital’s streets transform into a blossoming haven.
With each passing season, flowers will weave unique emotions for each person on every street corner. Photo by: Giang Trinh
Interestingly, despite their simplicity and gentleness, the flower carts in the capital always evoke a distinct emotion during each seasonal transition. As autumn sets in, strolling around the corners of Hanoi, it’s not hard to encounter these “flower stalls” resembling a mobile autumn sky, captivating many passersby.
The arrival of autumn brings relief from the sweltering weather, and it’s also the time when these flower vendors take to the streets, imparting an air of serenity and softness, stirring emotions in those on the go. Each season, these floral-decked vehicles enhance the charm of Hanoi’s neighborhoods, contributing to the city’s unique beauty.
The methods of transporting flowers to the streets vary, from motorbikes to bicycles and even on foot. No longer confined to a pair of shoulder poles as in the past, fresh flowers are now arranged in baskets and trays, securely placed on the back of bicycles as vendors traverse every alley.
Flowers grace every street and corner in Hanoi, with bicycles weaving through every lane throughout the year, adding a simple yet refined beauty to the city. These bouquets, following the vendors through narrow alleys, play a part in creating a distinctive cultural image, becoming a characteristic element of Hanoi’s street culture.
Hence, these floral vehicles seem to carry all four seasons throughout the year, with each season showcasing the unique beauty of different flower varieties. Thanks to this romantic and dreamy allure, Hanoi remains truly poetic, romantic, and serene with its multicolored flower bicycles meandering through every street. Perhaps, this is why many people feel that Hanoi is a land brimming with vitality, gentleness, freshness, and tranquility.
In Hanoi, every season, marked by the blossoming flowers, feels intimately close, encapsulating the essence of the land and reflecting the graceful spirit of the people of Trang An. It is a connection to the fragrant tapestry of the earth and a reflection of the souls dwelling in this serene place. When one ventures far from Hanoi, the memory of each floral season suddenly floods back, a reminiscent yearning for the corners of the city.
The quaint flower carts of Hanoi bring vibrant blooms to everyone, to every home. Almost every alley you explore unfolds scenes of these floral bicycles. Sustaining these flower-laden bicycles on every street is not merely a means of livelihood; it is a collective effort of Hanoi’s residents to preserve the essence of each corner, contributing to the conservation of the city’s sophisticated and unique cultural heritage.
Hanoi is not just a convergence of the nation’s cultural essence; it is also a gathering of the finest floral varieties, each exuding the fragrance of the four seasons. The flower carts, adorned with a myriad of scents, leave an indelible mark on every individual. Observing these floral caravans traverse the streets, one can sense the onset of a new season. The most beautiful and vibrant flowers grace the streets seasonally, enhancing the capital’s elegance and refinement. The wandering flower carts in the city’s corners are the beautiful “specialties” of Hanoi, weaving a narrative of the city’s 12 seasons of blossoms.
Hanoi, in my heart, is not only Hoan Kiem Lake with its legendary tales, Long Bien Bridge, a witness to history, or Ba Dinh Square, sacred and majestic. It is also the imagery of flower carts meandering through every small alley, leaving an imprint with their unique beauty. These images paint a space that is quintessentially Hanoi – poetic, gentle, and romantic, blending seamlessly with the modern vibrancy.
Thuy Linh
Tìm khúc giao mùa Hà Nội bên những “gánh hàng hoa” (kinhtedothi.vn)