Colorful blooms signal the end of the Vietnamese school year
Flame trees (or Hoa Phuong Vy) and Lagerstoemia speciosa in bloom around Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi is a city with seasons and although not as distinct as in continental climates one can still clearly feel the shift. The pleasant spring days have ended and in their place the intense sunny heat of summer (up to 40 degrees) has arrived.
Over the last two weeks Hanoi has been filled with the beautiful blossoms of bright red Delonix regia (Flame Tree) or Hoa Phuong Vy in Vietnamese (meaning the Phoenix’s tail) and cloudy purple Lagerstoemia speciosa (Giant Crape Myrtle) or Hoa Bang Lang in Vietnamese. The other name for these ornamental trees is ‘flower of the pupil or student’ because they bloom at the end of May which coincide with final exams and the end of the Vietnamese school year.
Lagerstoemia speciosa blooming at Trung Vuong Lower Secondary School, formerly known as Dong Khanh and founded in 1917 as one of Hanoi’s first schools for girls.
The light had started to fade too much by the time I reached Tay Ho, but at least I managed to get a couple of sunset photos.
A hot hound and her master
Beautiful photos of the flowering trees ! Such evocative pictures, one can really feel the shimmering heat. Bramble is jealous – cold and rainy in Massachusetts, USA.
Thank you! I would like some colder weather but the little desert hound actually chooses to leave the ac and go sit out on the balcony in the 40 degree heat!
Such glorious images. Hope all is well in Hanoi.
Thank you – yes but too hot for long walks!
Gorgeous shots! The last one is so sweet. Thanks for sharing these!
Thanks – although I think this one from last year is my favourite of the two of them: https://juraphotos.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/p1050246.jpg
looks so bautiful
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