Hanoi bathed in gentle hues of ban flower season
Every late spring, Hanoi transforms into a soft canvas of purple as ban flowers (Bauhinia variegata) come into full bloom.
THE HANOI TIMES — Originally native to Vietnam’s northwestern mountains, this beloved flower has found a second home in the heart of the capital, gracing its iconic streets with gentle color and serene beauty.
In early April, visitors to Hanoi are treated to a peaceful and poetic atmosphere. Deeply rooted in the cultural life of the ethnic Thai and Tay people, ban flower symbolizes grace, purity, and the gentle beauty of mountain women. In poetry and folklore, it often represents love and nostalgia.
When the ban trees bloom, their old leaves fall away to reveal clusters of delicate and odorless flowers with soft purple petals, pink stamens, and subtle lilac veins. The contrast of these elegant blooms against the weathered walls of French colonial buildings and ancient relics evokes a sense of timeless charm.
Some of the most breathtaking ban flower displays can be seen along Thanh Nien, Hoang Dieu, Dien Bien Phu, and Bac Son streets. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times
These areas become popular spots for locals and tourists, especially teenagers capturing the perfect spring photo under a violet canopy.
From early morning until late afternoon, many Hanoians dress in ao dai (traditional dress) to pose beside the blooming rows of ban flowers.
Thu Phuong, a resident of Hoan Kiem District, said: "I really love the purple hue of ban flowers. It gives me a nostalgic feeling. Every year, I come back here in this season to take photos."
"Standing among these flowers in the heart of the capital is like being transported to the mountains and forests of the northwest," said a group of young people from Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
Hanoi's ban flowers last for about a month.
Ranging from two to six meters in height, ban trees - with their rough, gray bark and graceful, arching branches - line Hanoi's avenues like sentinels of the season.
Their flowers, humble yet enchanting, add a nostalgic touch to the city's vibrant soul.
The simple, elegant flower has won the hearts of many visitors to Hanoi.
Visit Hanoi in April and immerse yourself in the peaceful rhythm of spring, where every stroll becomes a memory, and every street tells a floral story.
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