Hanoi in the Era of Opening Up
Hanoi in the Era of Opening Up
As soon as the first days of the twelfth lunar month arrive, the atmosphere of Tet begins to drift into the outskirts of Hanoi. Farmers in the suburban areas are perhaps the ones who feel Tet approaching most clearly, for all their work—from tending vegetables, flowers, and plants to fattening pigs and chickens—is aimed at serving the holiday.
If you travel down from the Kinh Bac region, you will see vast fields of flowers, especially gladiolus blooming in every color. Closer to the inner city lie the flower-growing villages of Nhat Tan, Nghi Tam, and Quang Ba, home to a wide variety of blossoms: deep red roses, plump golden kumquats, soft purple violets, and bright scarlet gerberas. Just a few years ago, this area was a sea of flowers, easily meeting Hanoians’ needs for ornamental plants during Tet. The people here have long been skilled artisans in the traditional craft of flower cultivation.
As you move gradually toward the city center, anyone returning to Hanoi after some time away cannot help but be startled by the remarkable changes in its streets. New houses with attractive designs rise side by side along the roads. Shops and stores have sprung up like mushrooms, selling every kind of product—from everyday goods to high-end items. Young men and women of Hanoi now dress in colorful, fashionable outfits, cheerfully riding modern scooters—quite a contrast to the days of rattling bicycles and the drab clothing once typical of soldiers and factory workers. Today’s Hanoi feels broader, cleaner, and more beautiful. The vibrant pulse of life is vividly expressed on every street, in everything from what Hanoians eat and wear to how they entertain themselves—“gradually becoming more cultured and refined.” The most significant transformation in daily life can be seen clearly in the markets—Dong Xuan, Bac Qua, Hang Da, Cua Nam, and Cho Mo—where an abundance of goods, food, and produce reflects a bustling, energetic marketplace.
There is no doubt that Hanoi in this era of economic opening is changing and developing. May Hanoi and its people forever remain worthy of this thousand-year-old land of culture and heritage.
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