Lotus flowers - West Lake - Pink Lotus, Lotus In West Lake – A Hanoi Symbol

When lotus flower season hits in June, the West Lake area becomes awash with the blooms, which hold particular significance in Vietnam, where they are considered one of four graceful plants, along with pine, bamboo and chrysanthemum. They are a symbol of purity, commitment, optimism for the future, beauty, majesty, grace, fertility, wealth, richness, knowledge, serenity… anything positive really. A famous Vietnamese song, “Doa hoa vo thuong”, is about the lotus flower — have a listen.

Such is the Vietnamese love for the lotus that it was voted as the country’s national flower — for which one of the criteria was that it “must be found in many localities”, and inded it would be hard to travel through Vietnam during lotus season without coming across a pond or lake filled with them.

There are four large ponds around the banks of West Lake filled with lotus flowers. One is near the waterpark and the other three are along the northern bank. If you take a bike ride around the lake you can’t miss them.

Not a bad back garden.

Early in the morning, elderly ladies push off in their boats to cut the flowers ready for selling later that day. Later in the day, young lovers and groups of girls dressed up in ao dai scoot along to the ponds for both professional and amateur photo shoots. Enterprising land — or pond — owners have put up bridges jutting out into the ponds and charge for the privilege of taking photos on the bridge or out on small boats among the flowers.

Pay up and get snapping.

The white and pink flowers are most commonly seen in the ponds and streets of Hanoi, with pink being considered the supreme of all lotuses.

Flower vendors can be found selling bunches, wrapped in a lotus leaf, from bicycles all around the city, particular at the western end of Pho Yen Phu, which makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. They’re not too expensive, at around 30,000 VND a bunch, but they die very soon after the bloom. You will also see the dried seed heads for sale; they resemble the spouts of watering cans and make a contemporary addition to flower displays.

A beautiful sight along Pho Yen Phu.

As well as being beautiful to look at, and having a wonderful fragrance, lotus flowers have other uses: the young stems are used in salads, the stamens can be dried and made into a herbal tea and the lotus seeds are eaten raw, dried or boiled. The sweet soup is particularly tasty.

Aliens or beautiful decoration... you decide

Lotus is a species flower traditionally admired by  people in Vietnam. As a Vietnamese saying goes,  “Growing in mud the lotus yet  does not stink of it”, lotus images  are associated with idyllic life and present in many creative works , both literary and musical. The Vietnamese people also   know the verses : “The most beautiful flower in the Plain of Reeds is the lotus.The finest name in Vietnam is Uncle Ho.” Its pure and plain beauty has become closely familiar to the life of  Vietnamese people  .Thus , the logo of the Vietnam airlines is a golden lotus featured on a blue background symbolizing the sky; it represnts  flights of the Vietnamese abroad and friends from all over the world to our country.

It is not hard to find the lotus flower in  Vietnam.   It is found in the Plain of Reeds or the Ancient Capital of Hue. And the same in  Hanoi where the West Lake Lotus is given a special love. If you happens to stop by  West Lake on summer days, you will catch sights of the lotus pond filled with the salient light  pink on the  green background of  lotus  leaves;  lotus petals sway softly in the wind as gently beckoning viewers This year is a leap year, so it was not until the beginning of June that West Lake lotus could be caught in the street.  However different is  the lotus season from  region to region , Hanoi people are always eager for it to star year by year . Although lotuses may come from other provinces  to Hanoi,  nowhere would we see such  pretty and fragrant lotus with thick petals as that of West Lake. This light pink kind of lotus has not very big flowers but multilayers inside when blooming, and has small and plump seeds with deeper scent than any other types.

This year the West Lake lotus started  offering blossoms  later than last years, but flowers are equally beautiful. Hanoi people are perhaps more impressed with  the West Lake lotus when they  associate  the lotus pond with the romantic scenery of the Lake, which creates something very personal, very pure in their mind.

I am lucky to have been born and brought up in Hanoi; so  any images and smells of Hanoi  will remain forever in my memory. Whether or not because of my personal feeling, I find lotus flowers “roaming” around the streets of Hanoi together with peddlers exceptionally beautiful. The word “beautiful” is not strong enough to describe the image of the West Lake Lotus pond; lotus from here has a gentle and sweet scent for us to get stirred, always floating in our nostalgia every time we are away from Hanoi. The big leaves cover  the lake , a velvet picture   dotted with rising pink lotus buds here and there . The layer-by-layer lotus petals, with a bright yellow pistil inside, make up a wonderful  blending of colours. Standing in front of the immense lotus pond with leaves and flowers, we can feel like we  are in a hard-to-find place of tranquility and refinement amid the hustle and bustle metropolitan life. Baskets laden with lotus flowers are bound  to the simple bicycles of sellers who  pedalling slowly on the streets of Hanoi create a very nice  sight . Likewise, lotus in the lake captivates people by not only its beauty, but also thanks to the mingled flavor of  sunlight and wind.

If you want to “touch” that beauty or to enjoy that taste, just go to West Lake early in a fresh, cool, and pristine morning during the lotus season. The flavor of early-summer lotus is incredibly sweet, soft, and pure. The gray of marsh, the fresh green of lotus leaves, and the pink of lotus  flowers intertwine softly and sweetly. Stop by a lotus pond and you will realize that we need sometimes to settle down to understand the value of life, which is simple but capable of bringing us relaxation and tranquility needed for our soul. In modern time, cities like  Hanoi are becoming increasingly crowded.  Yet I think that it is the lotus pond by West Lake  that would restore  balance in our  life, and give us moments of peace and serenity. Enjoy yourself at the first gleam of daylight ,sitting to contemplate lotus blossoms and drink some West Lake lotus-scented tea,    or you can sit  there , chatting with your friends in muggy summer afternoons dispelled by the breeze.

Lotus is a species of flower to convey the noble sense of Oriental philosophy and humanity, which is  presented by the yin and yang principle, the five basic elements, and the  iron will to rise up of the people of Vietnam.  For  the Vietnamese people, lotus symbolizes  a pure beauty and remains an endless source of inspiration for poetic and art creations. “Wherever you are in this world , you will always feel nostalgic for your country once seeing this flower”./.

Lotus flowers are in bloom from around mid-May to mid-July.

In early summer days, Hanoi is highlighted with flower seasons in blossom, shimmering with sunshine. However, lotus flowers in ponds are most outstanding and most attractive to visitors. Together with Hanoi-online to admire gorgeous beauty of lotus blossoms in summer days.

Pink lotus flowers in West Lake blossom against blue background of sky.

In the end of May and beginning of June, West Lake surroundings are coated green color and gentle pink color of lotus flowers. On every lotus blossom season, Hanoi people and tourists feel surprised at its beauty.

Tourists in Hanoi will be attracted in front of charm beauty of West Lake lotus blossoms.

Lotus flowers in blossoms

Hanoi has many lotus villages, but West Lake lotus pond is described with distinct and attractive beauty. Around Japan wharf and Korean road, you will be one with pink lotus flowers among endless water flow.

Lotus Symbol in Vietnamese Culture

Early lotus buds are hidden under green leaves.

West Lake lotus flowers are mainly pink ones and somewhere in middle of lotus pond, there are some white blossoms. In the early season, little lotus buds are usually hidden under floating green leaves, its pink coats hug bright yellow stamens. When in blossom, wide petals are shimmering under golden sunshine.

Pure pink lotus flowers in the pond

West Lake lotus flowers were originally planted in Tri pond, West Lake palace nearby and have been bred in other Northern regions. West Lake lotus flowers have three flower layers, coated with many petals. Moreover, this kind of lotus is quite precious and also a quintessence of lotus tea cups.

West Lake pink lotus flowers in blossom

In different time in day, tourists in Hanoi will discover distinct beauty of West Lake lotus flowers.

Local people use basket boats to pick up lotus flowers.

Basket boats are filled with pink lotus flowers.

Vietnam warmly welcomes you to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and to make your trip in smooth water, turn your plan into real by quick hands to obtain Vietnam

In early summer days, Hanoi is highlighted with flower seasons in blossom, shimmering with sunshine. However, lotus flowers in ponds are most outstanding and most attractive to visitors. Together with Hanoi-online to admire gorgeous beauty of lotus blossoms in summer days.

In early morning, lotus pond owners and pickers quickly get to lotus ponds, choose round buds and arrange them on small boats in downstream Westlake, creating simplicity and peace between the ancient city.

Lotus flowers with gentle and elegant beauty

In late afternoon, people flock to West Lake to admire noble and pure beauty of lotus flowers. Elderly people sip fragrant cups of lotus tea while the young wear ao dai to take photos. The whole lotus pond is more bustling and crowded than ever.

People flock to West Lake lotus flower pond

Tourists feel interesting in taking photo with lotus flowers.

In Hanoi city tour, tourists have a chance to enjoy Dishes Made of Lotus in Early Summer. Pink and white lotus flowers are not only beautiful but also nutritious with a lot of dishes such as: lotus tea, lotus root salad, etc.

Attractive pink lotus blossoms

According to the flow of time, the lotus blossom season brings own flavor for Hanoi in general and West Lake in particular. West Lake lotus ponds in early days are more romantic and poetic than ever. Lotus images are associated with capital people’s memories and travelers near and far.

Fresh West Lake lotus flowers

Lotus Symbol in Vietnamese Culture

In lotus blossom season, Hanoi Westlake becomes busy, bustling and crowded. Nevertheless, standing before a large lotus pond, visitors in Hanoi and local people here would always find a space of peace and fresh emotions which reduce feelings of stress and sadness in the everyday.

Lotus flowers- endless inspiration for art

At the same time, Westlake lotus flowers are also endless inspiration for photographers and composers.

In your Hanoi city tour, tourists can hire a small boat sailing to middle lotus pond, enjoy fragrant cups of lotus tea and chat with friends.

Enjoy lotus tea and sesame candy

Nearby streets, old bikes or street vendors are filled with bunches of lotus flowers as well as lotus buds. Visiting Westlake lotus ponds, you can buy some bunches of lotus flowers to decorate your room and present your beloved ones.

Lotus blossom season in Hanoi in early summer days always brings wonderful feelings to tourists.

Street vendors sell lotus flowers in every corner of Hanoi streets.

Vietnam warmly welcomes you to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and to make your trip in smooth water, turn your plan into real by quick hands to obtain Vietnam

Lotus Tea from Hanoi West Lake

Vietnam lotus tea - A quintessence gift from Hanoi

Why a kilo of Lotus tea could cost up hundreds dollar but never found itself out of demand? The reason why will be revealed below and you will soon find yourself craving for a pot of this elegant tea.

It’s not came out of the blue that Lotus has become Vietnamese national flower, Lotus represents for beauty, purity and good fortune in consider of Asian ancient concept. Lotus can be found everywhere in this S-shaped nation, but ones in Hanoi West Lake was regarded to be the best which nowhere else could ever compare. In other places, Lotus has only a few layers of petals with yellowish nectar, unlike its siblings from the West Lake, which was called “Sen Bách Diệp”, means hundred petals Lotus. The scent of West Lake Lotus is also different from other, yet it’s subtle, but linger-able and especially unforgettable. The ancient Hanoian had found the way to bring all the quintessence of this flower into the art of tea, by making fresh, premium green tea naturally embalmed with the fragrance of Lotus. By its careful consideration in each and every step of the dainty, time consuming process, Lotus tea is considered as an indispensable art form of the Hanoian.

The ancient Hanoian had found the way to bring all the quintessence of this flower into the art of tea

Old villages lie around the bank of the West Lake are places where the most skillful tea makers could be found. The people in Quang Ba, Tay Ho and Nghi Tam village are famous for being the best Lotus tea embalmer in Hanoi with inherited family’s secret receipts for hundred years. In the time of monarchy, Lotus tea was served only to high-class nobles or the Royals hence it was considered to be luxury and ocpulent, therefore only limited amount was produced. Later on, Lotus tea is still regarded as precious tea which is used in special occasion or ceremony only, to express the host’s hospitality.

Lotus in Hanoi West lake is fragrant with hundred of nice pinkish shade petals. This is regarded as the best Lotus fields in Vietnam

Lotus was originally created in the Nguyen Dynasty during the 19th century, in dedication of King Tu Duc. At night when the nectar was at its fullest, the servants would row out in the lake where the lotus blossoms grew. Very carefully and gently, they would peel back each fragile petal of the blossom and fill it with green tea.  Then the flower was closed up, and the petals bound with ribbon or silk string, keeping the tea safe and dry as it absorbed the scent of the lotus overnight, but that not the end, early in the morning, they rowed out again not only to collect the tea but also to gather nighttime dew, just enough for a single tea pots. Using a high-grade green tea base from the highland of Vietnam, the Lotus will scent the tea with its luscious fragrance, produces a lovely, sweet aroma, with hints of vanilla tea.

Lotus tea is not only great in flavour but also very good for health

This traditional method of embalming by wrapping tea inside Lotus blossoms is still used yet no longer popular, only 30 families are using this ancient method. Tea makers nowadays prefer to pick the Lotus blossoms right after it started to bloom than fill them up with tea every night. However, the making procedure of Lotus tea is still very complicated and required a lot of meticulous work from the tea makers.

Early in the morning, about 4-5pm before the sunrise, people have to row out in the West Lake to pick up Lotus blossom, this process has to be done quickly in order to get the scent at its finest of freshness and lusciousness. Expert tea scenters then choose the best Lotus blossoms and disassemble them, using care, they gently and quickly peeled “Lotus rice”, the small organ that fragrant the blossoms known as stamens.

With Lotus petal, they use them as initial scenting process, tea will be embalmed with these petals for 2 days then dried up and passed to the next step with Lotus stamens, which is the most important part in scenting Lotus tea.

Petals and stamens will be carefully reassembled by skillful experts tea scenters

1000 Lotus blossoms deliver only 7 - 8g of stamen, enough talk about how rare and precious this scenting material is. But it doesn’t mean that 1000 Lotus blossoms can provide enough stamens for scenting 1kg of Lotus tea. 2g of stamen is enough for scenting 1kg of tea, but we all have known that the scent of Lotus is just subtle, then this scenting step require to be repeated again and again 7 -8 times to make the tea fully embalmed with the fragrance of Lotus, which mean 1,4 – 1,6kg of Lotus stamen is needed, at least 1400 Lotus blossoms to scent a kilo of tea. Such an enormous number! No surprise that a kilo of this meticulous tea could cost up hundreds dollar per kilo, now you’ve understand why, it worth every penny.

Lotus tea in Huongmai Cafe is manually scented with Lotus blossoms from Hanoi West Lake

Lotus tea is jade green in color, with tightly twisted leaves and with a pale, amber colored infusion. It has a crisp, clean flavor, vanilla hinted and the great scent of Lotus blossom lingering in the mouth. If you want to taste this legendary tea, wait no longer because we have already restocked this noble tea in our tea product range. Find out about Lotus tea in our website. Premium green tea manually embalmed with the scent of famous West Lake Lotus blossoms.

Have a peaceful day, have a Lotus tea.

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Website: http://www.udicwestlake.vn/