In the mild weather, mixed with a slight chill of the monsoon wind, what could be better than strolling through the streets, watching the golden leaves fall, or sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying Vong village's sticky rice flakes, a characteristic treat of Hanoi's autumn? All of this is subtly "packaged" in the "Hanoi Autumn Street" space, offering people a complete experience of the flavors of autumn of yesteryear at the Autumn Fair 2025, at the National Exhibition Center (Dong Anh, Hanoi).

Visitors take souvenir photos at the 2025 Autumn Fair.

The golden and red hues of the foliage, blending with the colors of the national flag lining both sides of the road leading to the exhibition booths, make visitors feel as if they are immersed in the true autumn scenery of Hanoi. Here and there on the "small streets," you can spot groups of elderly people, dressed in their finest clothes, taking photos of each other.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (62 years old, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi) said: “I came to the Autumn Fair 2025 with my group of friends. In the “Hanoi Autumn Quintessence” area, I saw many characteristic colors of the capital's autumn, and many traditional craft villages. While Hanoi's autumn outside is quiet and nostalgic, inside it is recreated more brightly and vibrantly, with many cultural activities such as free movie screenings, music and dance performances, and enjoying dishes like sticky rice cakes, Trang Tien ice cream, and Hanoi specialties.”

The calligrapher gifted calligraphy.

In the autumnal atmosphere, visitors can admire familiar images of Hanoi, such as calligraphers, colorful toy stalls, pottery and handicraft shops, or the Trang Tien ice cream stand and Giang coffee shop with its distinct Old Quarter charm.

Walking around the exhibition space showcasing the capital's cultural products, we encountered many groups of young people enjoying the exploration . For them, "Hanoi's Autumn Road" is not only a place to learn about traditional crafts, but also an opportunity to enjoy the autumn atmosphere, capture memorable moments, and feel the harmonious blend of old and new in Hanoi.

Vu Nhu Quynh (a student at Phuong Dong University) shared: “I am very impressed with the exhibition space here, it's like a miniature Hanoi, especially the 3D area recreating the old houses, combined with stalls selling traditional ao dai, embroidery, and Dong Ho paintings. I think this is a new way to 'chill,' a way to 'change things up' and enjoy the autumn atmosphere of Hanoi for young people like us.”

If you've ever visited Hanoi and strolled around Ho Guom Lake, you're probably familiar with the vibrant colors of the tò he (traditional Vietnamese toy figurines) stalls and the skillful hands of the artisans. On the "Hanoi Autumn Street," amidst the handicraft stalls and fair lights, a small corner dedicated to the Xuân La tò he village attracts many visitors, especially young people. The bright colors of the tò he, the faint aroma of rice flour, and the lively conversations make the stall seem to carry the spirit of the old town into a modern, integrated space.

Vu Nhu Quynh (in the red shirt) and her friend visit the traditional toy display area.

Mr. Dang Dinh Tung, an artisan from Xuan La traditional toy-making village, shared: “This is the first time our toy-making booth has been displayed at such a large-scale fair. I am very happy and proud to bring the traditional art and culture of Hanoi to the 'Hanoi Autumn Road' space. In my opinion, displaying at a commercial, international fair like this helps the craft village become more widely known compared to when it appears in the Old Quarter. The toy-making takes on a different meaning, leaning towards nostalgia and honoring traditional cultural values.”

Mr. Dang Dinh Tung introduces his booth.

For this young artisan, tò he (traditional Vietnamese clay figurines) are not just toys, but also a way to preserve memories and spread Vietnamese cultural values. Therefore, amidst the bustling fair, his tò he stall remains a special stop: a place where adults rediscover their childhood, and young people explore a traditional beauty that is reviving in modern life.

Perhaps, every little corner of "The Essence of Hanoi's Autumn" seems to tell visitors from all over the world that Hanoi's autumn is not just a memory, but is vibrantly alive in every creative breath of an integrated, open, and lively capital city.  

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/an-tuong-tinh-hoa-thu-ha-noi-994873