During scorching May days, crape myrtle trees in Hanoi bloom with panicles of purple flowers.

Many streets such as Kim Ma, Hoang Quoc Viet, Nguyen Thai Hoc and the like are covered by flowers of purple in every shade, partly assuaging the hot weather in the capital city.

Purple crape myrtle blossoms are closely linked to schooldays. The trees begin to blossom in summer, when students leave their schools, teachers and classmates for a vacation or graduation. The blossoming season therefore is a signal of farewell bidding time.
 

Purple crape myrtle flowers next to an ancient building in the old quarter of Hanoi.

The gentle purple of crape myrtle flowers next Sword Lake.

A crape myrtle tree by The Huc Bridge is in bloom.

A crape myrtle tree by Sword Lake is blossoming.

The canopy of a crape myrtle tree shades the Hoa Phong Tower by Sword Lake.

Schoolgirls wearing Ao dai pose for photos near a line of blooming purple crape myrtle trees.

Purple crape myrtle flowers.

Crape myrtle flowers on Hanoi streets.

A visitor takes photos of purple crape myrtle flowers.

Due to the blossoming time, the flowers’ colours vary significantly, from purple to violet.

Purple crape myrtle flowers fully cover Kim Ma Street.

Crape myrtles produce purple flowers in panicles of 20-40cm length