During the weeks ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year), many streets in Hanoi are covered with flowers, peach blossoms and Kumquat trees. Their vibrant colours seem to turn the city into a huge flower garden.

Visiting famous flower growing areas such as Nhat Tan, Phu Thuong (Tay Ho), Tay Tuu (Tu Liem) and Me Linh (Phuc Yen), one can feel the Tet ambience. The jubilant atmosphere is dominant in these suburban areas where flower growers are happily awaiting a bumper crop. Night flower markets are also boisterously thronged with traders from dawn.

It is easy to catch a street florist riding a bike loaded with flowers roaming around on Hanoi streets these days. Carrying flowers from the outskirts to the downtown, they seem to carry colours, fragrances and in general a sense of spring to Hanoi.

By Tat Son