Hanoi’s streets are lined with about 14,400 milkwood trees, known locally as hoa sua. Each autumn their blossoms release a strong scent that many residents now find overwhelming, turning a beloved city fragrance into a daily nuisance.

During the flowering period, the intense perfume has triggered dizziness, a racing heartbeat and general discomfort for people living close to the trees. One spa owner in Ha Dong Ward said she felt dizzy and her heart raced, so she keeps her glass doors shut and uses cinnamon essential‑oil diffusers to mask the smell.

Other neighbours have taken practical steps. In Hoang Liet Ward, an apartment board sprayed the blossoms with a fire hose; in Thuong Tin a resident covered ventilation openings with fabric, bought an air purifier and may replace the door, while another resident walks with two face masks and speeds past the strongest scented stretches.

To address the problem, Hanoi Vice Chairman Truong Viet Dung ordered the Department of Construction on 14 October to urgently review streets and residential areas where milkwood trees are planted too densely. The city is considering relocating some trees and, for immediate relief, has asked tree‑management units to selectively prune flower clusters without harming the trees.

Any relocation plan must contain a detailed inventory, impact assessment, choice of replacement species, cost estimate and must pass public consultation and approval, according to the Department of Construction’s guidelines. This careful process shows the city’s attempt to balance residents’ health with the cultural value of the milkwood’s autumn fragrance.