The charm of autumn in Hanoi

Autumn in Hanoi always makes people slow down to listen to the city's breath.

Photo caption — *Khanh leisurely strolls around Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Khanh Hoa/VNA*

Autumn in historical memory

Autumn in Hanoi is associated with sacred milestones of the nation. In the autumn of 1945, the whole country burst into joy with the success of the August Revolution, opening an era of independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people. And in the autumn of 1954, Hanoi was once again brilliant with the red color of flags and flowers on the Capital Liberation Day, October 10 - the autumn of reunion, victory and tears of happiness.

In those October days, Hanoi's sky was clear, the golden sunlight spread over the rooftops and each street was filled with red flags and yellow stars. On the morning of October 10, 1954, the victorious troops of the Vietnam People's Army entered Hanoi "in waves", amidst cheers and the song "Marching to Hanoi" echoing throughout the streets. The solemn flag-raising ceremony took place at the Flag Tower yard (now Doan Mon - Thang Long Imperial Citadel). The red flag with yellow star fluttered on top of the Hanoi Flag Tower in the autumn wind, marking the historic moment opening a new era for the capital of a thousand years of culture.

Seventy-one years have passed, Hanoi today has changed dramatically – modern, civilized, dynamic, but the autumn colors of the capital still retain their profound and proud appearance. Under the shade of the rows of dracontomelon and rosewood trees that have witnessed many ups and downs, people can still feel the breath of a Hanoi “past and present” – where every cool breeze seems to still carry the echoes of the day of returning to history.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Thang (Cau Do 1 residential group, Ha Dong ward - one of the witnesses of the Capital Liberation Day) was still moved when recalling: “Early in the morning, when the streets were still quiet, the street vendors' cries echoed on the street corners: bread, hot sticky rice, banh khuc here... Then the clanging of trams, the sound of wooden clogs gently tapping on the street. A dreamy, elegant, civilized Hanoi with clear blue lakes, rows of shady old trees and the graceful, gentle, polite people of Trang An. Time has passed but Hanoi still retains many of its original features”.

Autumn in Hanoi not only brings the yellow color of leaves but also the red color of victory flags. It is the autumn of memories, beliefs, and aspirations for peace . Every time autumn comes, Hanoians feel their hearts warm up in the cold weather as if to remind them that in every wind, treetop, and street corner, there still echoes the breath of history and national pride.

A place to keep memories

It is no coincidence that Trinh Cong Son’s song “Remembering Hanoi’s Autumn” has become a symbol of the capital’s autumn. The song was born during his return to Hanoi in 1985, and is the voice of the artist standing in the space with “yellow rice trees, red-leafed banyan trees, old streets, old houses, and dark brown tiled roofs”.

Every time autumn comes, that melody resounds in the heart of the street, stirring up many memories and nostalgia. For Hanoians, autumn is not just a time of year but a season of emotions and return. Ms. Phuong Anh (a resident of Hoan Kiem ward) still maintains the habit of walking around the old town and enjoying familiar snacks on chilly evenings. “When the cool breeze blows, tamarind leaves fall on Ngo Quyen street, I clearly feel Hanoi in the golden autumn color, in the scent of milk flowers that makes people slow down, return to old memories. Every street corner, roof, and pagoda contains a story of memories and attachment,” Ms. Phuong Anh shared.

According to Ms. Phuong Anh, typical dishes such as fried green rice, sweet soup of Ba Cot or fried shrimp paste... are not only about flavor, but also about nostalgia and sophistication in Hanoi's culinary culture. Walking around Hang Dao, Hang Ngang or Ta Hien - Dong Xuan, visitors can feel the vibrant pace of life; while in Cua Bac, Hang Ruoi, Lo Ren, there is a quiet Hanoi, where the smell of new green rice and a cup of hot tea is enough to remind one of an autumn.

Not only in the hearts of Hanoians, autumn also captivates international tourists. Mr. Gary (43 years old, British nationality) shared: “This is the third time I have returned to Hanoi and each time brings me very special emotions. I love beef noodle soup, bread and coffee here. In England there are also four seasons, but autumn in Hanoi has its own unique features - gentle, clear and full of life. What impresses me most are the people of Hanoi: close, friendly and warm”.

Autumn in Hanoi is also the season of reunion and gratitude – Vu Lan season, the bustling Mid-Autumn Festival, the season of returning to school and the wedding season. The sound of lion dance drums, the scent of new green rice from Vong village, the lantern lights on Hang Ma street… create a picture of autumn that is both familiar and brilliant.

Time Out magazine (UK) once voted Hanoi as the 5th in the top 7 most beautiful autumn destinations in Asia because of its very unique autumn - chilly and full of nostalgia. In the modern pace, Hanoians still maintain the habit of "slow living" - mornings cycling around the lake, afternoons sitting at roadside cafes watching leaves fall. It is not only a lifestyle but also the style and eternal elegance of the people of Trang An.

Advantages of tourism and creative economy

Not only stopping at emotions, autumn also opens up strong development opportunities for tourism and creative economy of the Capital.

Ms. Sonja (58 years old, German nationality) shared: “This is my first time coming to Vietnam and Hanoi autumn really impressed me. The mild sunny weather, cool breeze, and fallen yellow leaves on the streets create a romantic scene. I especially love walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter in the morning - when the air is fresh and peaceful. If I have the chance, I will definitely come back to enjoy this beauty again.”

For Lieve (20 years old, Dutch nationality), Hanoi autumn is like “an open gallery in the middle of the city”. She captured many memorable moments at Hoan Kiem Lake, Phan Dinh Phung Street and Thang Long Imperial Citadel – destinations that are imbued with Hanoi’s identity. “During the 12-day trip, I had the opportunity to fully experience the autumn atmosphere of Hanoi and it was an extremely wonderful experience”, Lieve shared.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, in the first 9 months of 2022, the capital welcomed about 13.87 million visitors; of which more than 766,000 were international visitors. Total revenue from tourism reached 39,690 billion VND. This demonstrates the strong appeal of Hanoi on the regional tourism map.

Autumn is also the "golden material" for developing creative tourism with many typical products such as: Hanoi - 36 streets, A glimpse of Europe in the heart of Hanoi, A day to explore West Lake... The walking street space of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi book street or cultural festivals such as Mid-Autumn Festival in the Old Quarter, World Cultural Festival, Autumn Fair... become attractive cultural rendezvous - where visitors can immerse themselves in modern life while still fully feeling the "soul of the old town".

However, experts say that to maintain that attraction, Hanoi needs to develop autumn tourism in a sustainable and harmonious way - protecting trees, preserving green spaces, avoiding excessive commercialization. The city should build "autumn streets" associated with typical experiences: admiring leaves, drinking tea, enjoying cuisine, exploring culture and history in the same journey.

Autumn in Hanoi is a “specialty” of calmness, elegance and Vietnamese soul. Preserving and spreading that beauty is not only to attract tourists, but also to make every child who goes far away want to return and those who come here for the first time want to stay longer just to see, feel and love Hanoi’s autumn more.

Source: Tin Tuc Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/suc-hut-mua-thu-ha-noi.html