Vietnamese Expression

Ở một chỗ mà chín sự: stay in one place and learn nine things — Vietnamese expression

Hanoi is one of the most ancient cities in the world, offering both contemporary & classical architecture: the Old Quarter is a mishmash of Sino-Vietnamese buildings that charmingly co-exist. Intertwined in the tapestry of what one senses upon “first impact” when you experience the city, is that the Vietnamese have a clear propensity to absorb & adapt, whilst guarding the intrinsic beauty & cultural value of their ancestors. Together, this testifies to the richness & unique identity of their vibrant people & country.

Hanoi overflows with endless crowded roads shining with glittering new buildings adjacent the dilapidating, aghast shimmering colours, rushing past each other, in a sea of hospitable natives from a diverse combination of multi-communities who openly welcome the many “wandering souls” that descend upon Hanoi from foreign lands. Industrious merchants of all sorts hustle to sell mouthwatering street food, traditional entertainment, souvenirs, artwork, “real fake” luggage, clothing & electronics alike, decorating the streets, building ridges & roofs of a chaotic metropolis.
Coffee shop “Cafe/Caphe” culture is huge in Hanoi & I regularly sought asylum in one of the myriad of “caphes” to break from the hustle & bustle of the packed streets. Taking refuge here, the spell hit me, a very bohemian vibe captured my imagination. Whiling away hours, I’d write, read, people watch, ponder ideas OR talk to strangers to learn of a different point of view. The creative hive of their “Caphe Culture”, revived the soul in a manner I found to be energising. That, or maybe the generous amounts of caffeine in their infamous “egg coffees” was the trigger to me getting “high” on the city’s energy 🤣! Either way, staying in one city for as long as I did, experiencing the “Chaos of Hanoi” won my heart in a way that I never thought a city could….

🇻🇳In this post: @docafeandart @hiddengemcoffeehanoi @congcaphe @godmother.hanoi @tiredcity_official @pokehanoi @hanoibackstreettours123
🇻🇳Music: @hoangthuylinhofficial
🇻🇳Guided by: @grandhoteldulac.hanoi