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Sidewalk tea culture in Hanoi is an indispensable part of the city, contributing significantly to its charm and tranquility. More than just a beverage, it reflects the simple charm of everyday life, creating a distinctive atmosphere for tourists.
Hanoi's Tea Culture – A Reliable Source of News
In the capital, how can one keep up with daily events? You can watch TV, read newspapers, but don't overlook the reliable 'news channel' provided by the tea stalls. It's where stories from all walks of life are discussed and dissected. In winter, enjoy a cup of hot tea to savor its characteristic bitterness, while in summer, opt for a glass of iced tea to beat the heat and engage in conversations with others.
Photo Credit: @qdnd
Despite its simplicity with a few plastic chairs, few would imagine that this is where you engage with people, discussing everything from daily commutes, utility bills, buying and selling, neighborhood gossip,... without any barriers. In this corner of Kinh Ky land, the tea culture has been preserved through generations, becoming a beautiful sight for tourists visiting here.
Photo Credit: @tinhte
Workers gather at the sidewalk tea stall to watch the news together, even if the TV set isn't modern, it still attracts a large audience for discussions. Elderly folks enjoy sitting here, selling drinks, listening to daily conversations, sharing stories rather than staying home in silence.
Photo Credit: @Cooky
Whether you're a native Hanoian or have lived here for years, the sight of quaint little eateries along the streets and alleys has made Hanoi's sidewalk tea culture incredibly familiar. Some even say you can spot one by just stepping out onto the street. They're everywhere, near schools, next to luxurious shopping centers, beside restaurants,... from early morning till late at night, they're always bustling with customers.
Photo Credit: @tradaholic.vn
Tea stalls are where you find tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
'May I have a glass of iced tea, please?'
The street corner I often frequent
Let me temporarily forget the rush
Listening to the ups and downs of life from friends
Like the lyrics of the song 'Sidewalk Tea Culture in Hanoi,' I've experienced student life, I've worked, surely you've all spent time wandering around the sidewalk tea stalls, gradually making it a part of our culture and a familiar habit. These tea stalls are very simple, sometimes just a foam box containing tea, various drinks, a few peanut bars,... and a few basic chairs. Nothing fancy, but it becomes a familiar drink and a place to find a bit of peace amidst the everyday hustle and bustle.
Photo Credit: @tradaholic.vn
People of all ages can be found at the sidewalk tea stall, friends chatting, delivery drivers resting after a long day, elders playing chess,... Although each person has their own thing to do, the scene is harmonious, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the bustling streets. When traveling in Hanoi, with just a few thousand dong, you can choose this place as a quiet retreat for yourself. Hanoi may be bustling, but all worries seem to be temporarily set aside.
Photo Credit: @tr_giahung95
After spending a long time busy within the confines of four walls like office workers, they come to the sidewalk tea stall, sit under the shade of trees to breathe in the fresh air. Taking a sip of iced tea, feeling its bitterness, helps you stay alert, leave work behind, and relax your mind. Chatting about trivial stories together is also a way to find peace and balance in life.
Photo Credit: @Cooky
Iced tea in Hanoi – a simple everyday drink
In the capital, you can see the complexity in cuisine or art in every detail, but with Hanoi's sidewalk tea culture, it's simple, seemingly casual. People go to drink iced tea, grab a chair, add another one as a table. Sidewalk iced tea is humble, easy to make, neither praised nor criticized for its taste. That's why a simple tea stall with a few plastic chairs, a water pitcher, a tea pot, and a few cakes plus a few smokers is enough.
Photo Credit: @Mai Lân
It can be said that nowhere else do people love iced tea as much as in Hanoi, where sidewalk tea stalls abound. Business discussions can happen over iced tea, and meetings can take place over iced tea. You don't even need to go to fancy restaurants or upscale cafes; a date at a sidewalk tea stall can be very romantic. Especially as autumn arrives, sitting in a familiar corner of the street, feeling the cool breeze, watching the slow flow of the street.
Photo Credit: @chau.t.vien89
For many, iced tea is associated with stories from their difficult student days. When friends wanted to hang out, the go-to spot was always the sidewalk tea stall, with a plate of sunflower seeds, sitting together chatting, singing all afternoon, yet still happy. Even after graduating, starting work, the old habit never fades. Choosing roadside iced tea has become a unique culture of Hanoi for many.
Photo Credit: @_lesmoi
Not only found at roadside tea stalls, people often order iced tea to accompany their meals at eateries, from budget to upscale ones. Eating hot dishes like noodles, pho, fried foods,... especially in summer, a glass of iced tea cools the throat. When with a big group, you have to order a whole pitcher for everyone to enjoy.
Photo Credit: @Foody
Iced tea's simplicity appeals to everyone, from office workers to students, school kids, motorcycle taxi drivers,... bringing people closer together. Every time one travels far, the sidewalk iced tea of Hanoi leaves a deep sense of longing, feeling incomplete without the familiar atmosphere or street corner where they used to sit. And for those from afar, it's the urge to come and explore this land of a thousand years of civilization.
Photo Credit: @tvn.vn
Sidewalk tea stalls in Hanoi can be found everywhere, and the habit of drinking iced tea has deeply ingrained into the subconscious of many residents in the capital. This cultural aspect never fades away but rather continues to be widely promoted through films, photographs by professional artists. Are you addicted to sidewalk iced tea? If so, let's share our stories of joy and sorrow together!
Hà Lê (compiled) – luhanhvietnam.com.vn
Photo Credit: Internet
Posted by: Nguyên Chất
Keywords: Sidewalk Tea Culture in Hanoi - where fascinating life stories originate
