Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

By Ngoc Thanh   October 24, 2025 | 06:17 pm PT
The first cool days of fall bring a shift to Hanoi: soft breezes, warm light, and the fragrance of green rice drifting through the streets.
Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Autumn has arrived in Hanoi, bringing cool weather and golden light that filters through the city's streets. At dawn, the aroma of com young green rice floats on the breeze, a fragrance inseparable from the season.

Across the city, the leaves begin their shift to yellow and red, adding tranquility to the neighborhoods despite the movement of urban life.

Hoan Kiem Lake's Turtle Tower stands reflected on the still water, a symbol of peace in the heart of the city.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

The red The Huc Bridge across the Sword Lake is striking under the sun, welcoming visitors strolling along the lakeside paths.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

The Temple of Literature lies beneath green foliage refreshed after recent rains.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Across central neighborhoods, locals pedal through the streets, taking in the air of the early morning.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Flocks of pigeons wander across Trang Tien Street at dawn, adding to the calm of the city as it wakes.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Morning exercise groups gather in the park near Thuy Loi University, kicking off the day with dance movements.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

On the outskirts of Thanh Oai District, sunlight filters through a mist that blankets the fields where farmers begin their work at dawn.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

In Me Tri Village, known for its com craft, residents have entered the harvest season.

The young green rice is made from the nep cai hoa vang glutinous variety grown in suburban rice fields. Villagers often hire workers to harvest the rice and bring it home early in the morning.

Elderly residents then remove the leaves and strip the stalks, which are later dried and used to make household brooms.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

From Me Tri, the green rice is carried into the city, sold along the streets to locals and visitors. On Ngo Quyen Street, vendors selling young green rice offer a taste that is tied to Hanoi’s autumn, evoking nostalgia for those who grew up with it.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Autumn is also the season when fruit ripens. In markets and on vendor baskets alike, fruit such as bananas, custard apples, or persimmons fill the air with their perfume, calling to anyone who loves Hanoi's autumn tastes.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

The scent of coffee drifting through the Old Quarter lingers in the air, tempting wanderers who come to Hanoi in the fall.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

In the late afternoon, sunlight glows on the rooftops of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The pleasant weather draws visitors to stroll and enjoy the breeze in the square.

Autumn's glow settles over Hanoi

Out in the suburban fields, the sun sets behind the horizon. Wisps of smoke rise from harvested rice straw, carrying the familiar scent of the countryside.

 
 
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