Wandering through Hanoi in March, you’ll witness the pristine white blossoms blending with the drizzling rain and the lingering cold of late spring. The sua flower season in Hanoi is like that—gentle yet pure, understated yet radiant.
1. Sua Flower Season in Hanoi’s Spring
1.1. When Do Sua Flowers Bloom in Hanoi?
Many people planning a trip to Hanoi often wonder when the sua flowers bloom. In the capital, the sua flower season usually starts as early as late February, but it reaches full bloom in March and lasts until the end of the month. Some trees even retain their blossoms into early April. The blooming period varies each year depending on the weather. If the winter cold is followed by warm sunshine, the flowers tend to bloom a bit earlier than usual.
According to seasoned travelers, the best time to admire Hanoi’s sua flowers is mid-March. Because it coincides with the arrival of spring, the sua flower is often considered a symbol of the season, blooming amid the damp, unpredictable drizzles of Hanoi’s early-year climate.
Now that you know when sua flowers bloom, why wait? Gather your friends and head to the best viewing spots to explore and capture stunning photos. The capital, bathed in the soft warmth of spring alongside the delicate white blossoms, will not disappoint.
1.2. How to Get There
Getting to Hanoi to enjoy the sua flower season is easy and convenient by any means of transport. If you’re already in Hanoi, traveling by motorbike is the best option to reach the flower hotspots. Most streets lined with sua trees are in the city center, and parking can be challenging, making cars less practical. Visitors from nearby provinces like Hải Dương, Hưng Yên, Hải Phòng, Bắc Ninh, and Hà Nam can also visit Hanoi’s sua flower season in a day trip using either motorbikes or cars. For a unique experience, you can even take the train. Depending on your starting point, choose the most suitable route for your journey.
1.3. A City Drenched in White Blossoms
Just like Hanoi’s cotton tree (gạo) or milkwood pine (sữa) flower seasons, the sua flower season has inspired countless poetic verses. Hanoi’s sua flower season feels like an invitation to spring. Before long, as the petals begin to fall, summer will arrive. The sua tree, reaching heights of 6–12 meters, with some growing as tall as 15 meters, has sturdy wooden trunks and delicate branches. The flowers bloom in clusters, each blossom measuring only 7–9mm across, with a faint scent. Sua flowers only bloom once a year.
Beyond their role in air purification and urban beautification, Hanoi’s sua flowers carry deep cultural significance, often linked to legends and symbolizing loyalty and unwavering love. Their pure white color embodies a love that is both sweet and innocent. Though unassuming, sua flowers leave a lasting impression. Unlike heavily fragrant flowers, their charm lies in their clustered white blossoms, which gently sway in the breeze. Some compare them to tropical snowflakes—petite petals drifting through the air, settling on the ground, on hair, and on shoulders, evoking a sense of peace and tenderness.
No one knows exactly when sua flowers first graced Hanoi, but every spring, they return, blooming brilliantly. They are at their most beautiful when the trees are bare of leaves, with only pure white blossoms clinging to the rugged, brown trunks.
To witness Hanoi’s sua flower season, visit Láng Street or the dormitory courtyard on Lương Thế Vinh Street. The intersection of Cầu Gỗ and Hàng Dầu in Hoàn Kiếm District also boasts stunning sua trees, where the white flowers harmonize with the historic old town scenery, creating a dreamy, romantic atmosphere.
Other viewing spots include the serene Bảy Mẫu Lake in Thống Nhất Park (Hai Bà Trưng District), where ancient trees stand tall, adorned with clusters of sua flowers that occasionally drift down to the lake’s surface—a poetic sight. The area near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Lê Nin Park, the Diplomatic Corps in Trung Tự (Đặng Văn Ngữ Street, Đống Đa District), and iconic streets like Hoàng Hoa Thám, Phan Đình Phùng, Thanh Niên, Hoàng Diệu, and Ngọc Hà are also fantastic places to experience the sua flower season.
A trip to Hanoi during sua flower season is sure to provide breathtaking, unforgettable photographs.
2. What Other Flowers Bloom in Hanoi in March?
2.1. Bauhinia Flowers (Hoa Ban)
March also welcomes Hanoi’s delicate bauhinia flower season. Originally from the northwestern regions like Điện Biên, Lai Châu, and Sơn La, this flower thrives in Hanoi’s climate. While an individual bauhinia bloom appears fragile, a tree in full bloom is strikingly vibrant. Against the green leaves, the soft purple hues stand out beautifully.
For the best bauhinia flower photography, visit Bắc Sơn and Hoàng Diệu streets in Ba Đình District, where nearly 20 bauhinia trees create a mesmerizing floral corridor. Other locations include Võ Chí Công Street, the approach to Nhật Tân Bridge, Thanh Niên Street, Đào Tấn Street, and Nguyễn Phong Sắc Street. Much like Hanoi’s sua flower season, the bauhinia blooms provide the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs.
2.2. Red Silk Cotton Flowers (Hoa Gạo)
Hanoi’s silk cotton flower season rivals even that of Hà Giang. Blooming from March to mid-April, these fiery red blossoms paint the cityscape with their vibrant hues.
One of the most iconic places to see silk cotton flowers is Hoàn Kiếm Lake. The sight of a silk cotton tree in full bloom, its reflection shimmering on the tranquil water, is a cherished memory for many Hanoians. The tree, with its rough bark and strikingly large flowers, stands as a nostalgic symbol of spring’s transition into summer.
In conclusion, Hanoi in March is a floral paradise, with its ethereal sua flowers, delicate bauhinia blooms, and fiery silk cotton blossoms transforming the city into a painter’s dream. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beauty, Hanoi’s springtime spectacle is an experience not to be missed. Before taking the trip to Hanoi, you should apply for a visa first. Feel free to contact Vietnam Visa Express for help!
