Flower Street Vendors in Hanoi
“As I read an old poem composed by Tố Hữu – one of the greatest authors in Vietnam, I feel like each line unconsciously provokes such a strange feeling of how much Hanoians used to and still, embrace those little quintessence. We seem to love all the flowers overwhelmed in Hanoi through the street vendors as it is one of our instincts.
It is not something random that these flower street vendors have brought somewhat a refreshing reminiscent breeze to people in the city, but simply because they need to earn a living and customers need those beautiful bunches of flowers. Despite what kind of season it is, flower is always a constant and unchanged beauty of Hanoi with which the respectable tradition is consistent as a life-time companion.
In the olden times, a common motif of a Vietnamese lady sitting by a trellis of flowers always stole hearts of men. Especially in the 80’s, the appearance of a young girl in the charming Áo Dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) would always be accompanied with a few branches of gorgeous flowers. Every single corner of the street saw a basket of flowers sold by women a lady, or even a man. Sometimes, a few ladies altogether turned the corner into a little flower market. Hence, as such a pride, Hanoians have got their famous flower markets such as Ngọc Hà, Nhật Tân, Tứ Liên. In spite of a strong Westernization, these vendors have not lost their pure beauty. Whenever you leave home, they are always out there with familiar conical hats and old rusty bike carrying baskets of roses, daisies, sunflowers, feverfews or pomelo flowers.
These familiar scenes are somehow dear but hidden with pain as well. They portray small women, just like moms and grandmoms, who try to make some money with the withstanding from severe heat and rain.” – Trang Nguyen
To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
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Words by Trang Nguyen (Trang Nguyen‘s profile)
Photos by Hanh Le
Flowers are representation of love, beauty and caring. Though sometimes, those who are into this business, like these vendors, are often times being left behind. With regards to the photos, these as admirable. The flowers are really beautiful. Have a wonderful day.
I love this! On the surface you think “oh pretty flowers!” But then as you said, these women are working so hard to support their families. That would make me want to buy from them even more.
All those flowers that those street vendors are selling look so amazing! What a great way to spend a little money while on vacation.
What beautiful photography. You give a sense of being there and the history lesson was awesome. Who doesn’t love a bouquet of flowers!
I love this! The flowers all along the street are so beautiful. I would love to visit.
amazing colours the flowers possess, i hardly get such opportunity in my country to see flower vendors on the street, it looks so beautiful over there and with such amazing shots.
Which streets that we can find those?
Flower vendors are actually going to all streets in Hanoi. You can find them in the Old Quarter if you don’t have much time traveling in the city!
I really like it when individuals get together and share opinions.
Great site, stick with it!