“Ai bánh khúc nóng đâyyyyy!”
The warm morning glow of Hanoi, Vietnam, had hardly crept through my window when I heard the symphony begin once again. Street vendors selling hot sticky rice cakes, the revving of motorbikes, the continuous slew of honking, and spontaneous bursts of pop music enveloped the streets, filling the city with life.
As a quiet-loving guy from the Midwest suburbs who had never left the U.S., I found the immediate change to living in such a hectic, dynamic area to be quite overwhelming at first. Since then, however, I have found it easier, and even enjoyable, to become one with the chaos of the city, filled with diverse character, flavor, and opportunities to enjoy with friends.
At the end of the day, however, I will always find myself craving a quiet, serene space, whether for the purpose of getting work done or just to decompress. During my search, I was quite surprised to find that within the heart of this bustling beast lies a multitude of serene oases. In my two weeks in Hanoi so far, three spots in particular have stood out to me as the best retreats when one desires an escape from the noise.
Hole-in-the-Wall Coffee Shops
Vietnam is renowned for its high-quality robusta coffee, so it's no surprise that I could find a café on nearly every corner. However, as my quest was for a truly cozy and quiet atmosphere, the real gems were found tucked away in the winding alleyways of Hanoi.
My personal favorite, "Hidden Alley Cafe," lived up to its name entirely. I almost got lost twisting through narrow passageways and climbing stairs to find the little wooden sign, but the payoff was entirely worth it. Delightfully dim and silent in contrast to the blistering, bustling streets outside, these cafés are my go-to when I need a place to just be still.
Getting some work done with a cà phê muối (salted milk coffee) at Hidden Alley Cafe.
Nghĩa Tân Lake
During my time in Hanoi, a certain ritual has found its way into my routine: a morning jog around Nghĩa Tân Lake. The lakes of Hanoi are described by locals as the spiritual "lungs of the city," and I couldn't agree more.
Separated from the surrounding traffic by lush greenery, it feels easier to breathe and think there. Overshadowed by West Lake, which boasts its expansiveness as the largest lake in Hanoi, Nghĩa Tân Lake appealed to me more because of its lighter foot traffic while still being a beauty to behold when the shimmering water reflects the light of daybreak.
The Temple of Literature
If the lakes are the lungs of Hanoi, then experiencing the Temple of Literature must be like peering into the city's very soul.
Stepping onto the temple grounds felt like stepping into another world entirely. I was mesmerized by the serenity of emerald wells inhabited by lazily drifting koi, the structural harmony of Confucian-style crimson pavilions, and the air of hushed sacredness that enveloped it all.
Standing among the stone tablets, etched with the names and achievements of temple scholars from centuries ago, I felt as though I was able to see Hanoi with fresh eyes. To see the city as it is, with its energetic, bustling nature, while also recognizing the strong cultural foundations of discipline, wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge that breathe life into it.
A tranquil scene at the Heavenly Clarity Well within the heart of the Temple of Literature.
It is said that the quieter you become, the more you can hear. I don't believe that removing oneself from the noise necessarily means removing oneself from fully experiencing life in another country.
While I know there is much joy and experience to be gained from immersing myself in the flashing, honking, chattering life of the city, it is important to me to seek out quiet scenes from time to time—oases where I can actively enjoy and discover Vietnamese culture while avoiding being swept away by the tide.