The streets of Hanoi in May have been transformed with a purple colour following the emergence of giant crape myrtles, known locally as Bang Lang.
The elegant flower is widely viewed as a symbol of the capital, with locals believing that their emergence signals the arrival of summer.
Crape-myrtle flowers typically grow in clusters and can be between 20cm and 30cm in length.
Bang Lang is a common flower found throughout South Asia, with giant crape-myrtle trees planted in order to make urban landscapes appear more beautiful and also as a means of creating shade.
The trees help to bring shade to commuters around the capital during hot spells in the summer.
Each flower features six thin and light petals. They usually blossom from late April to mid-June every year.
Trees can easily be found on Kim Ma, Hoang Minh Giam, Giai Phong, Tran Thai Tong, and Xa Dan streets.
Blooming purple flowers tend to coincide with the end of the academic year.