Source: Vietnam Paradise Travel
Born and raised in Hanoi, unfortunately, for
the first 16 years of my life I have never spared even a moment to just have a
careful look, to feel, and to really appreciate the beauty of my beloved city.
Only when I have been far away from home that I realized what I have missed. Hanoi
since then has become a deep longing in my heart.
Foreigners and even some Vietnamese know of
Hanoi as the “Dragon Eye” of Vietnam – a capital city with rich culture and
long-standing history. People admire Hanoi for its captivating natural beauty and
its unique architecture which was the great combination of Southeast Asian,
Chinese, and French style. Hanoi where the tranquil lifestyle of the Hanoians
merges beautifully with the 21st century’s modernity is indeed an attractive
destination for tourists and travelers from all around the world.
I know none of these glories though. For me,
Hanoi is fascinating in a much more ordinary yet very unique, very special way. I love
Hanoi for its four beautiful seasons. Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter – each
has left a deep mark in my memory with its special charms; sixteen of each has
made up my lovely childhood.
Source: Nguyen Thuy Duong
I love the misty mornings in Hanoi when
spring comes with sombrous drizzles. The days are surprisingly quiet and
peaceful. Flowers seem to be even more radiant under the shimmering sunlight; and
despite the slight hint of coldness carried by the wind, I could still feel a
fervent vitality inside just at the faint sight of newly shown green buds.
Source: Dienhoa360
I love summer in Hanoi when days are drowned by the bright sunlight and glowing flamboyant flowers shade my path. The
only time of the year when the last school bell is not that much expected; and
the laughter echoed in the air does not sound all that excited.
Source: Mua Thu blogspot
I love the gentle breeze floating through
Hanoi signaled incoming fall. Every street corner would be embalmed with a
faint whiff of blooming milk flowers. I would leisurely walk under rows of
deciduous trees, feeling the vague sadness of autumn and suddenly realizing how
beautiful my city has always been, gentle as water and fragile like a mist.
Source: Ha Noi Pho
I even love the gloomy Hanoi on rainy
winter nights. Those dark nights when you could even feel the chill wandering
in the air; and there I always was, snuggling close to my mom, feeling her
warmth all over me, and no more coldness could ever bother my dreams.
Hanoi's four seasons differ and are
captivating in a very unique way, yet I have never really realized this natural
beauty of the city. There is this old saying "You
never appreciate something until it's gone". I guess this really does
apply to me. Having studying abroad for almost 5 years now, the short trips
back home during summers could not ease away my longing for Hanoi, the deep
sentiment I have never thought I would develop for a place.
Every now and then I would unconsciously stare at the deep blue sky through my window, the little pond by the bus stop, the bushes, the flowers, the people..., trying to find a familiar feeling I have not felt for a very long time, a sense of home, and then realize I was already half the globe away from my beloved country, my beloved city, where my beloved family is. I miss Hanoi. I miss the sky and the land, the air and the water, the people and the streets. I miss Hanoi in broad daylight, crowded and lively. I miss Hanoi's streets at night, quiet and peaceful. I miss even the most ordinaries things of Hanoi – the jubilant chirping of spring, the burning air in summer, the gentle coldness when fall comes, the heavy rains throughout winter.
If Hanoi is a beautiful maiden, the four seasons then would be her jewels, her make-ups, adding to Hanoi the liveliness and a strong vitality, letting this humble city shine and bloom radiantly, showing off all of its hidden beauties, be it in the famous Sword Lake, or an ordinary falling leave.
This is the Hanoi I have used my heart
to feel the pure beauty of it. I love such Hanoi – the Hanoi that has walked me
through four lovely seasons of life; the Hanoi that has given me a chance to
see, to taste, and to feel the beauty of my city lied hidden in the ordinaries.
Now, what about you? Do you know Hanoi? Have you truly seen the beauty of Hanoi? How do you see Hanoi in your own heart?
