Queen crape myrtle transforms Hanoi into a sea of purple
As summer arrives, this regal flower transforms the city's streets, captivating every visitor with its stunning violet hues.
THE HANOI TIMES — Every May, the streets of Hanoi are transformed by the vibrant purple blooms of the queen crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), or bang lang in Vietnamese.
This flower signals the arrival of summer and is an iconic part of the city's charm .
The queen crape myrtle blooms only once a year, during the summer. Alongside the red flamboyant, it has been the inspiration for countless poems and songs, particularly those about students.
Its bloom often coincides with the end of the school year, evoking bittersweet feelings of farewell among teenagers before summer break. For those living away from the capital, the approach of summer is accompanied by regret for missing this annual purple spectacle.
The queen crape-myrtle tree is originally from Africa and has been extensively planted in Hanoi in the 1980s. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times
The streets of Hanoi, such as Tho Nhuom, Kim Ma, Dao Tan, Tran Thai Tong, and Tran Nhat Duat, are awash in shades of romantic purple.
While light purple is prevalent, one may also encounter pale purple-white and dark purple variations.
The flowers grow in dense clusters, with each spike reaching up to 50 centimeters in length.
These clusters are made up of dozens of small flowers, each of which has six delicate, silky petals and numerous yellow pistils.
Although the flowers are odorless, their beauty captivates many locals and visitors alike.
Magnificent purple blooms adorn Nguyen Khanh Toan Street.
The deep purple flowers leave an indelible impression on those who behold them for the first time.
