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Autumn in Hanoi is when ordinary days somehow feel special. Every street here seems to wear a filter, the one in romance and nostalgia style. Through this article, Asia King Travel will show you how to live these moments like a local. Then, you can start mapping your own Hanoi autumn itinerary with the seven most popular activities.
Hanoi’s autumn makes daily life feel a little more extraordinary
Whenever people think of the best time to visit Hanoi, autumn often takes the crown for a host of good reasons.
First, it’s how this capital city’s pleasant weather sets the stage. Unlike scorching hot summer days or periods of unpredictable winter winds, autumn in Hanoi is graced by sunshine and cool breezes. This climate makes it much easier for everyone to explore the city on foot. That said, the way visitors absorb Hanoi’s cultural vibe is also enhanced as you are no longer distracted by discomfort.
Moving on, we shouldn’t forget about those iconic backdrops of Hanoi’s autumn. Not only are the streets lined with golden leaves, but the parks bathed in soft sunlight also create perfect scenes for photography. If you enjoy capturing memories through your lens, Hanoi in autumn is definitely that photo album ready to be filled.
When it comes to choosing the best time to experience Hanoi, autumn is the season that wins people’s hearts
Of course, no journey is complete without flavors. This season possesses unique delicacies that everyone waits for each year. For example, we have young green rice, persimmons, as well as ripe dracontomelon. In case you want to bring a piece of Hanoi home, these foods and other keepsakes like lotus-scented tea or Mid-Autumn toys from the Old Quarter will be great choices.
In short, autumn really brings out Hanoi at its very finest. With this in mind, the next question naturally arises: once you are here in the autumn season, what should you actually do to make the most of your trip? That’s where Asia King Travel’s Hanoi autumn bucket list comes into play.
During autumn in Hanoi, nothing feels more local than sitting on a pavement with a cup of egg coffee and a bundle of Com in hand. The cool breeze and this simple duo would bring you closer to the capital’s soul than any grand feast could.
Autumn in Hanoi is best experienced by sipping egg coffee on the pavement while nibbling on green rice flakes
First, let’s learn more about Com. Wrapped in lotus leaves, it is soft green in color and smells like a bountiful harvest. There is a small tip on how to savor this Hanoi autumn specialty: chew slowly to discover all the nuances of flavor.
Then, why don’t you try Com with egg coffee? The experience would become even richer as creamy egg layer balances perfectly with the light taste of Com. Together, they are invincible in satisfying your senses.
Read more: Ha Noi Trip 1-day: Discovery of Hanoi by motorbike
When autumn in Hanoi arrives, the air is filled with milk flower’s fragrance. This unique scent has become a familiar sign of this season. That said, it can instantly trigger every memory of yours if you've ever lived or visited here. Of course, not everyone finds milk flowers’ smell easy to love, but still, it is something to remember.
As autumn settles over Hanoi, the fragrance of milk flowers drifts through the air
One of the most relaxing things to do in Hanoi in autumn is to take a slow walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. You’ll feel breezes carrying a signature cool air that only Hanoi can bring during this season. In addition, leaves will rustle above your head, and every step here seems to come with a reminder of how beautiful the capital city of Vietnam can be.
Walking further, you might have to pause a little bit when you see Turtle Tower standing quietly in the middle of the lake. Then, just a little ahead, the Huc Bridge catches your eye as it stretches across the water to Ngoc Son Temple.
To experience Hanoi’s autumn tranquility, nothing beats a slow wander along Hoan Kiem Lake
What makes this walk even more special is the life around the lake. Early in the morning, you might see elderly people doing exercise. By afternoon, many couples sit on benches to enjoy the view. At night, the lake sparkles under the lights, and the whole area feels like something out of fairy tales.
If you’re following any Hanoi autumn travel guide, you’ll quickly realize that trying hot foods is an essential experience of the season. As days grow colder, there’s nothing more comforting than warming up your taste with Hanoi cuisine.
Start with the classic: Pho Bo. On a chilly morning, you sit at a street-side stall while eating a bowl of Pho Bo. Its rich broth would cozy you from the inside. At the same time, noodles and tender slices of beef make the meal even more palatable. Frankly speaking, this is definitely a great dish to welcome new days.
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Nothing soothes the autumn chill quite like indulging in the comforting flavors of Hanoi
After that, you’ll stumble upon vendors selling Banh Duc Nong. This dish is served in small bowls, with silky rice flour cake, minced pork, mushrooms, and a savory sauce poured over the top.
Moving on, we have boiled snails. Once you dip the snails into spicy ginger and lemongrass sauce, there is no turning back, and even when you go home, that delicious taste will still linger on the tip of your tongue. Last but not least, don’t forget to have a bowl of Bun Rieu, Bun Thang, or Bun Cha sold at the Old Quarter’s vendors.
Read more: Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails: What to Eat and Where
Among best Autumn Experiences in Hanoi, Hang Ma Street always stands out. Year after year, whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, thousands of lanterns, masks, and toys are held in every nook and cranny of this street. Sellers here would prepare for the transformation weeks ahead, so it comes as no surprise that the festive atmosphere arrives at Hang Ma Street earlier than anywhere else in the city.
With every Mid-Autumn season, Hang Ma Street comes alive, overflowing with lanterns, masks, and toys at every turn
After exploring Hang Ma, you’ll soon discover that the lantern-lined streets are just the beginning, and what follows is the Mid-Autumn Festival itself.
As a traveler, you can be a part of Hanoi’s festive buzz by joining evening crowds in the Old Quarter. Here, lion dances echo through alleys and children parade with glowing star-shaped lanterns in their hands.
You can also share mooncakes with your newfound friends, or watch Vietnamese locals gather in front of their houses to enjoy a festive feast. And if you are lucky enough, you might be invited to their party too!
Lion dance performance during the Mid-Autumn Festival
Known as one of the most beautiful streets in the capital, Phan Dinh Phung becomes even more romantic during the leaf-changing season. On one side, you’ll find colonial-era villas with French architecture; on the other, golden leaves form a canopy over your head. They both contribute to the perfect setup for your post about autumn in Hanoi.
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A bicycle filled with flowers on Phan Dinh Phung Street
Furthermore, there is another scene that adds to the list of Instagrammable spots on Phan Dinh Phung Street - the iconic flower bikes. You can wait for these bicycles to pause on the sidewalk and ask the vendors to take some pictures with fresh seasonal blooms.
Autumn in Hanoi leaves travelers with impressions that last long after the trip ends. During this time, there is a wide range of activities for you to join in and become a part of its romantic rhythm. So why would you hesitate any longer? Book your North Vietnam Tours with Asia King Travel today and enjoy Hanoi at its most beautiful.
Read more: Ha Noi Tours
