Each autumn, Hanoi’s milk flower trees burst into bloom, and their sweet, heady fragrance drifts through the streets, marking the arrival of the season much as cherry blossoms do for Japan. The flower is one of the city’s most beloved symbols, woven into generations of songs, poems, schoolyard nostalgia, and evening strolls around the lakes, and for many Hanoians, and those who have left the city, the smell means coming home. Yet this year’s full bloom has also brought discomfort for some residents, who are keeping windows shut, wearing double masks, or even moving out temporarily, especially those with sinus problems or allergies.
The topic has sparked widespread online debate between those who cherish the scent and those who find it overwhelming, and city authorities have asked for a review of densely planted streets, with a view to relocating some of the roughly 14,400 milk flower trees and replacing them with other species.
Here are some real experiences from residents living along the city’s milk flower streets. Listen to the audio and complete the dictation.
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