In the early days of September, when Hanoi began to have gentle sunshine and a gentle breeze, the Big Church area became a familiar rendezvous for many young people. From morning to afternoon, groups of friends came here, sitting on stone benches, chatting, taking photos or simply enjoying the atmosphere of a early autumn day.
Without needing to prepare a fussy itinerary, many young people only spend a few minutes walking around the Big Church area to find a photo spot for themselves. Old walls, trees, sidewalks or the courtyard in front of the church all become natural backdrops for photos capturing the moment Hanoi changes seasons.
There are groups of friends taking advantage of pleasant weather days to date each other to go down the street. Some bring cameras, some use phones to record every moment. After minutes of taking photos, they sit down on the sidewalk, chat or visit eateries around the Big Church area.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Hau, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "I have seen many articles about Hanoi autumn online. When I came here directly, everything was exactly what I expected. Cool weather, gentle sunshine, pleasant atmosphere. If I had to use a word to describe it, I would choose'wonderful'".
I think Hanoi is beautiful in any season, but autumn is the most worth visiting season," said Dang Thi Phuong Hoa (Thanh Xuan, Hanoi).
Besides, an indispensable gift in the flavor of Hanoi autumn - cốm - also becomes something that keeps tourists.
The young rice flakes have a light sweet taste, are sticky and soft, and have a very characteristic fragrance of young rice. I like it best because when eating, I can feel the lightness, not too sweet, the more I chew, the more fragrant it feels," shared Ms. Nguyen Huong, a tourist from Lao Cai.
Mr. Lucien, a British tourist on a journey to explore Vietnam, said he decided to spend a week experiencing Hanoi. "The weather here is a bit hotter than my hometown, but Hanoi autumn is very beautiful. I like sunshine, I like the local people because they are very friendly. The food is also very delicious. It seems I haven't found anything to criticize in Hanoi," he shared.
As evening approached, the area in front of the Grand Cathedral became more crowded. Groups of young people successively came, creating a bustling but not too hurried atmosphere. Some people took advantage of taking a few photos before returning, and some groups sat longer to chat.
For many people, "welcoming autumn" in Hanoi is sometimes just an afternoon leaving home, walking through a few streets, finding a familiar corner and staying longer than usual.
The Grand Cathedral these days has therefore become a special rendezvous point of the transitional season. This place has both architectural imprints and a youthful rhythm of life taking place every day. In hastily taken photos, stories on the sidewalk or leisurely steps, Hanoi autumn is felt in a very unique way of each person.
