Top 8 Songs About Autumn in Hanoi That Captivate the Soul

"... Autumn, the sky of Hanoi turns green
You hear autumn sing across the sky
The old streets we used to walk
Where we passed through the days of childhood..."

The autumn in Hanoi brings with it the soft, cool winds, the mist that lingers on the surface of West Lake, or simply the streets filled with fallen yellow leaves, carrying memories of childhood that suddenly resurface.

The lyrics of the song Hanoi in the Falling Leaves by composer Huu Xuan capture these nostalgic feelings through the warm voice of the late artist Ngoc Tan. The image of a young man seeking to reconnect with the memories of the past in the autumn of Thang Long is simple yet incredibly romantic, especially as this journey is told through lyrics filled with heartfelt memories.

"... Taking me through ups and downs, the years have faded
Calling each old street, the fading afternoon by Ho Guom so serene
The sweet smell of milk flowers
Calling autumn back to stay for long, so we know, passionately..."

Passionate Hanoi might be one of the most “youthful” songs about Hanoi in recent years. It's youthful not only because the composer wrote it as a young man fresh out of school, but also because of the lively melody and the vibrant, modern portrayal of Hanoi.

Passionate Hanoi is a song beloved by the younger generation, with its fresh, energetic lyrics. The image of a Hanoi “gentle and poetic” is captured through the shimmering Ho Guom at sunset, the bustling street-side eateries, the hurried people on the streets, or the fragrant milk flowers in the autumn breeze... These are the unique flavors of Hanoi that make anyone who has visited the city in autumn feel touched by a beauty that is both peaceful and gentle.

"Because autumn, I stayed behind

Hanoi autumn, Hanoi autumn

Hanoi autumn overflowing with memories

Not because of you, or because of you

Hanoi autumn, Hanoi winds

Rustling paths, rustling leaves

The streets fade, the streets blurred by rain

Sudden sunlight shimmering, sudden sunlight sparse

Because of autumn, I stayed behind

Your rosy cheeks, your distant lips

For a hand that doesn't hesitate

Giving me the entire street to wait

It will add one more life, remembering Hanoi's moonlit autumn!

One of the two famous compositions by the late composer Trinh Cong Son about Hanoi’s autumn, “Autumn Melody of Hanoi”, written in 1995, carries a soft, warm feel similar to the quiet and understated pace of life in Hanoi.

The song “Autumn Melody of Hanoi” embodies the essence of Trinh Cong Son, with its introspective questions and often elusive answers. This unique use of words gives his lyrics a fragile beauty that’s almost impossible to grasp.

"...Milk flowers still sweet at the street's edge every night

Could it be that you've forgotten me

Could it be that you've forgotten me"

To mention Hanoi’s autumn without referring to milk flowers would be a huge oversight. It’s unclear why, or for what reason, but despite the fact that milk flowers can grow anywhere (and they likely smell the same wherever they are), Hanoi’s milk flowers have a uniquely special place, perhaps even unrivaled. Because every time you “smell” the scent of milk flowers, what comes to mind is always Hanoi in early autumn, just as, no matter how many people we meet, there's always that one love that lingers in our hearts.

The song Milk Flowers with its gentle melody and melancholic tone truly touches the soul. The heartfelt lyrics express a deep longing for the memories of old Hanoi. Milk flowers don’t bloom as brightly as summer’s phoenix flowers, nor do they have the deep purple of the Lagerstroemia trees, but they offer a unique emotion that no other flower can evoke. Milk flowers quietly spread their fragrance, softly entering relationships like a special witness, leaving deep memories...

"... Hanoi through someone's eyes, or the afternoon that falls over your street

Listening to the chimes of the afternoon...

Hanoi through your eyes, or the autumn leaves that fall

And you came to me one afternoon, the afternoon of Hanoi..."

The famous love song Hanoi's Afternoon by composer Vu Quang Trung brings to listeners the sweet taste of love with images of yellow leaves falling romantically. Autumn awakens the desire for love in everyone, making hearts in harmony beat together. Nothing can describe the beauty of Hanoi's autumn afternoon, when the gentle rays of the day's last light shine through every street corner with the ringing sound of the afternoon bell.

The song Hanoi's Afternoon was composed in 1993, when composer Vu Quang Trung was still very young, and he poured the romantic soul of a Hanoi boy into each lyric. These wonderful melodies have, are, and will continue to captivate the autumn of Hanoi and all those in love.

"... Hanoi in autumn, the banyan tree turns yellow
The maple leaves red, lying side by side
The old streets, the old houses, dark brown tiled roofs
Hanoi in autumn, autumn in Hanoi..."

“Missing Hanoi’s Autumn” reflects the deep emotions stirred by the stunning natural beauty of Hanoi in autumn, with a touch of sadness as the love between nature and people, blossoming briefly, must part.

“Missing Hanoi’s Autumn” is as beautiful as a painting, with colors that only Hanoi possesses in its romantic autumn weather. The “yellowing banyan tree, red maple leaves, dark brown tiled roofs,” and the “green sticky rice scent of autumn, the sweet smell of green sticky rice on the sidewalk as footsteps pass by” evoke memories of a gentle and enchanting Hanoi. The song by late composer Trinh Cong Son and performed by singer Hong Nhung effortlessly captivates listeners with its familiar and beloved lyrics.

"...Can you hear it, in the deep stillness of your heart?
Hanoi in autumn, oh the fluttering in my heart
As I listen, I hear the breeze
Echoing through Ba Dinh..."

These are the lyrics from the song Hanoi’s Autumn by composer Vu Thanh, with words that resonate deeply, reflecting the autumn of Hanoi in the past. Each line embodies the strength and vitality of the capital city during the long years of resistance, facing hardships, yet Hanoi “remains green, green in autumn,” stirring one’s heart. Under the performance of singer My Linh, this song has become a historical ballad about Hanoi’s autumn in the hearts of its people.

"...In August, the autumn leaves begin to turn yellow?
Since the time you left, the quiet longing remains
Could you be the autumn of Hanoi?
With a life full of experiences, I keep searching
Could you be, the autumn of years gone by?..."

Could You Be the Autumn of Hanoi was originally a poem written by poet To Nhu Chau in August 1970 in Da Nang, inspired by the image of Northern girls migrating at that time, sitting with their hair flowing, next to a piano. According to the poet, he was deeply moved by these girls and dreamt of Hanoi’s autumn in this way.

The sweet melodies of Could You Be the Autumn of Hanoi have captivated countless generations of Vietnamese music lovers, stemming from the heartfelt emotions of the composer. Every autumn, this timeless song fills the air, enchanting those who love Hanoi.