Giant crape-myrtle flowers, known as “Bang Lang” in Vietnamese, can now be seen in full bloom throughout Hanoi, serving to bring a sense of poetic beauty to the capital during the start of summer.
May typically sees the streets of Hanoi decorated with the bright purple tones emitting from giant crape-myrtle flowers.
Bang Lang is a common flower found throughout South Asia, with giant crape-myrtle trees planted to make urban landscapes appear more beautiful and also to create shade.
Crape-myrtle flowers often grow in clusters and can be between 20cm and 30cm long.
The trees serve to bring shade to commuters around the capital during the current hot spell.
Each flower features six thin and light petals.
The flowers are renowned for being the symbol of the capital, signalling the arrival of summer.
Blooming purple flowers tend to coincide with the end of the students’ school year.
Seeing the purple flowers around Hanoi helps to make the city a more pleasant place amid the scorching sun and soaring temperatures.
Trees containing the flowers grow on Dao Tan, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoang Quoc Viet, and Dinh Tien Hoang streets.
The colours of the flowers symbolize faithfulness, becoming an indispensable part of life in the capital for local residents.
