Spring arrives on the streets.

Hanoi's Old Quarter, a repository of the thousand-year-old cultural heritage of the capital city, becomes enchantingly beautiful every time Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives. The winding alleyways, the moss-covered houses, and the sounds of night vendors blend together to create a truly special spring scene—familiar yet fresh and delightful.

From early morning, Hang Luoc flower market was bustling with people. Crowds of people busily selected branches of peach blossoms and kumquat trees. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, chatter, and bargaining, imbued with the spirit and soul of the countryside. The vibrant peach blossoms and branches of kumquats laden with golden fruit seemed to bring the essence of spring to every home. Hanoians go to the flower market not only to shop but also to experience the scent of Tet, the breath of tradition still lingering amidst the changing times.

In the vibrant and pristine spring landscape of Hanoi, the pink hue of peach blossoms always stands out, stirring emotions in people's hearts. It evokes memories of the Nhat Tan peach blossom garden, a cultural symbol of spring in Northern Vietnam.

Hang Ma Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) is ablaze with the colors of spring. Photo: THAI HUNG

As the chilly wind still lingers on the streets, the first peach blossoms begin to bud, a familiar sign that spring is knocking at the door. Nhat Tan, Hanoi's oldest peach blossom growing village, enters a bustling season. Farmers diligently care for and skillfully prune each branch, leaf, and flower to ensure they bloom in their most beautiful form for Tet (Lunar New Year).

For the people of Hanoi, Nhat Tan peach blossoms are not just a type of flower, but also a cultural symbol of the Lunar New Year. From small, compact branches displayed on ancestral altars to large, sprawling peach trees, each variety possesses its own unique beauty that captivates hearts. In particular, the Thất Thốn peach blossom – an ancient, "aristocratic" variety from Nhat Tan, with its thick-petaled, blood-red blossoms – is always the coveted prize for peach blossom connoisseurs.

Along Hang Luoc Street, Hang Ma Street is ablaze with twinkling lights, bright red lanterns, and rows of red envelopes. It's delightful to see children excitedly pulling their parents' hands, their eyes sparkling with delight at the simple yet colorful Tet toys. Adults leisurely choose red paper scrolls and couplets to hang on their ancestral altars. Good wishes and philosophical verses, skillfully written by calligraphers, remind us of our roots and express our gratitude.

Stepping from Hang Ma Street into Dong Xuan Market to shop for Tet (Lunar New Year), one immediately feels the bustling and vibrant atmosphere. From early morning, the market is crowded with buyers and sellers. Each person has their own way of preparing for the traditional Tet holiday, but hidden within that hustle and bustle is a sense of relaxation and sacred memories of spring. From the stalls selling trays of five fruits and sweets to the vendors in traditional ao dai dresses, everything perfectly recreates a cultural picture of Tet.

Dong Xuan Market is not only a familiar shopping destination for the people of Hanoi, but also a treasure trove of beautiful traditional products. Fragrant packages of coconut jam, or beautifully displayed boxes of sticky rice cakes and glutinous rice cakes evoke memories of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) of yesteryear. Each vendor, with their friendly voices and gentle smiles, acts as a bridge connecting the past and the present.

Walking along the small streets in early spring feels like enjoying a feast of colors and sounds. There's the pink of peach blossoms, the yellow of apricot blossoms sent from the South, and the green of banana leaves. The calls of street vendors, the tinkling of bicycle bells, blend with the chatter of people, car horns, and the hurried footsteps of those busy preparing for Tet, creating a familiar and characteristic spring rhythm of Hanoi.

Hanoi's streets in springtime possess a unique beauty. The familiar roads and old rooftops of the Old Quarter suddenly seem to brighten in the early morning sun. The fragrance of flowers wafts from the vendors' stalls, mingling with the aroma of freshly made sticky rice cakes, preserves, and banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), stirring a sense of nostalgia in the heart.

Someone said that Hanoi in spring is beautiful not only for its scenery but also for its traditional soul and the deep affection of its people. Walking through the streets of Hanoi during the spring days, one can still hear sounds echoing from the past. These are the New Year's greetings from strangers, the joyful laughter of children, and the excited heartbeat of each person, anticipating a prosperous and successful new year.

As spring arrives in Hanoi , it always retains its unique soul – a beauty that evokes a sense of wistfulness, leaving everyone with a deep and lingering longing.

HA AN

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Source: https://baodaknong.vn/xuan-ve-tren-pho-241463.html