Though Hanoi is going through a bitterly cold spell, many people still enjoy eating ice creams.
Temperatures in the capital dropped to 7-9 degrees Celsius on February 22, and chilly winds were blowing. But Trang Tien ice cream shop in Hoan Kiem District witnessed the sight of people waiting in line to buy.
Eating ice cream in winter is a unique experience for many young Hanoians.
The cone is the most favorite ice cream served here.
Nguyen Thanh Hoai and his group of friends from the central town of Quy Nhon, on their first visit to the city, described eating ice cream in winter as a “fresh and pleasant sensation". "This is a thrilling experience for the entire group".
My of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong who was on a visit to Hanoi with his family, said: “It's a fascinating experience. I've eaten six popsicles since evening."
Eating ice cream in cold weather has become a feature of Hanoi's culinary culture.
Quoc Thinh said: “Eating ice cream is a regular pleasure of ours that is unaffected by the weather. It's even more fun to eat when it's cold, and it feels weirdly good gnawing on ice cream and shivering with pleasure".
Chau Uyen, a third-year student at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, said: “I like to eat ice cream, especially when Hanoi gets cold. Biting on the ice cream sets my teeth on edge. But the feeling is fresh”.
Many people prefer to eat ice cream on the sidewalk rather than take it home. Average temperature in Hanoi stands at 15.2 degrees in winters.