Golden mustard flowers by Long Bien Bridge herald Hanoi’s gentle transition to spring
Before spring fully arrives, a stretch of riverbank beneath Long Bien Bridge quietly signals change, as mustard flowers light up Hanoi’s winter landscape with warmth and color.
THE HANOI TIMES — At the foot of the Long Bien Bridge, fields of golden mustard flowers burst into bloom, transforming the Red River’s winter banks into a vivid seasonal landmark.
The bright yellow blossoms mark a familiar shift: Hanoi is edging closer to spring.
Along the river, a simple yet evocative scene unfolds as women in traditional ao dai, broad fields of mustard flowers and the steel silhouette of the century-old bridge spanning the water. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times
In the depth of winter, when temperatures often fall to around 10 degrees Celsius, the mustard fields stand out sharply against the city’s gray tones. Their radiant yellow feels almost warming, hinting that the cold season is nearing its end.
In early 2026, Phuc Xa flower wharf in Hong Ha Ward emerged as a striking feature of Hanoi’s urban landscape.
Here, mustard flowers bloom alongside pale purple butterfly flowers and deep red peonies, all flowering at once and reshaping the riverbank into a seasonal tableau.
These blooms once grew wild along the Red River, nourished by fertile alluvial soil. Over time, local farmers recognized their quiet beauty and began cultivating the area as a flower garden.
The wharf has since become a favored destination, especially for photography enthusiasts during peak bloom.
For visitors like Nguyen Thu Ha from Cau Giay Ward, the journey has become an annual ritual. Each year, she and her friends return when the mustard flowers appear, capturing photos to mark the passing year.
“The mustard flowers may seem simple, but they are a distinctive sign of Hanoi’s winter,” she said. “They are known as one of the 12 flowers that represent each month of the year. That meaning makes the visit special.”
Though compact in size, Phuc Xa flower wharf feels abundant, filled with dense mustard fields at full bloom.
Traditionally associated with December, the mustard flower symbolizes closure and renewal.
A broad sea of yellow frames the weathered arches of Long Bien Bridge along the Red River.
Fed by rich alluvial soil, the mustard stalks grow taller than a child’s head.
Farmers arrange the flowers in orderly rows, leaving narrow paths that invite visitors to walk slowly through the fields.
The vivid blooms and relaxed visitors soften the sharp chill of Hanoi’s winter days.
Rows of flowers stretch across the riverbank, forming a bright “sea of yellow” in the heart of the city.
Cosmos and peonies bloom beside the mustard flowers, layering the riverside landscape with color.
Amid the golden fields, visitors pause, letting the moment linger along the Red River.
The delicate blossoms offer a brief refuge from Hanoi’s fast-paced urban life.
Once overgrown and neglected, Phuc Xa flower wharf has transformed into a welcoming green space.
Today, it stands as a place where people and nature meet, quietly marking the seasonal rhythm of the Red River.
