West Lake (Ho Tay) in central Hanoi has been covered in a sea of lotus since the start of June. It's the season when white and pink flowers float on the emerald water surface and a sweet, clear fragrance drifts across the whole pond. Early in the morning, the sight of women in white ao dai taking photos near the flowers is a summer scene of Hanoi, loved by locals and travelers alike. Free to enter, and limited in both season and time of day, it's a stunning view unique to Hanoi.<\/p>\n
Hanoi's lotus season runs from late May to around September, but the most spectacular is June. The flowers hit their peak and the pond is literally filled with lotus. At the lotus ponds around West Lake, white and pink flowers spread across the water surface, and on a clear morning the contrast of petals and stamens stands out crisply.<\/p>\n
The time of day is quite important for enjoying West Lake's lotus. The West Lake-famous bach diep (hundred-petal lotus) opens its petals wide after 6 a.m., and much of the fragrance is lost. Even the picking is done before 6 a.m., and the buds and fragrance are richest just after dawn. If your aim is photography, early morning \u2014 with dew still on the leaves and the morning sun streaming in \u2014 is the sweet spot.<\/p>\n
| Item<\/th>\n | Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|
| Best time to view<\/td>\n | June (peak) \/ the season is late May to September<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Best time<\/td>\n | Dawn to around 6 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Main variety<\/td>\n | Bach diep (hundred-petal lotus)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Admission<\/td>\n | Free (photography services, etc., are separate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Location<\/td>\n | Lotus ponds around West Lake (Ho Tay)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nAo dai photography, a summer culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n |