Going to the flower market is one of the old customs of the Vietnamese on the occasion of Tet Nguyen Dan or Vietnamese New Year, a sacred event where you have to look for something to beautify your home. If you are in Hanoi a week or two before Tet, do not miss one of Hanoi's iconic flower markets which will leave you with fond memories.

Hoang Hoa Tham Flower Market

Along the Hoang Hoa Tham Street, this year-round market is a major meeting place for florists, residents and visitors. Walking along this bustling street near Tet is an opportunity to savour a banquet of colours and scents and to immerse yourself in the special atmosphere, as the preparations for this most anticipated festival take place. Seasonal roses, exotic roses, orchids, kumquats, Nhat Tan peaches, apricot trees and more. There is an abundance of ornamental trees and the most beautiful spring flowers.

Where to go? Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ba Dinh

Hang Luoc Flower Market

Almost 500 years old, it is an integral part of the history of the capital, a must-see for locals and visitors the week before Tet. Installed in the middle of the old quarter of Hanoi from the 23rd to the 30th day of the 12th lunar, it is inundated with colours and flavours with all types of flowers, the most popular of which are peaches and kumquats, traditional flowers for the Tet festival. One can also see the stalls of multi-coloured plastic and silk flowers to decorate the house with. Strolling through this once-unique Hanoi market is also an opportunity to take a tour of the nearby streets and alleys that are just as lively, especially the colourful Hang Ma Street.

Where to go ? Hang Luoc Street, Hoan Kiem

Quang Ba Flower Market

One of the largest located in town, Quang Ba Flower Market is a good choice to experience a Hanoi night market. It is in full swing from midnight and ends around 3 and 4 a.m. A few weeks before Tet, it comes alive 24 hours a day to welcome customers and enthusiasts from all over the world. Installed at the foot of a road dike, the market stretches all along the street on this special occasion. There are countless beautiful flowers from Da Lat, Moc Chau and the horticultural villages on the outskirts of Hanoi. It is denoted by the fact that traders display the products on their motorbikes and buyers check the quality of the flowers with an electric torch.

Where to go? Au Co Street, dyke Nghi Tam, Tay Ho (passage of buses 31, 58, 55, 33 and 41)

Tay Tuu Flower Market

A large Hanoi night market a bit outside of the city, it can be found in the horticultural village of Tay Tuu, North of Tu Liem. Known as one of the oldest in the city, the Tay Tuu Flower Market welcomes its customers to the fields from midnight until 3 a.m. Contemplate hundreds of kinds of shimmering flowers and meet the vendors with their advice on the spot, you will be completely overwhelmed by this Hanoi night walking tour.

Where to go? Tay Tuu village, Tu Liem, nearly 20 kilometres from the city centre

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