Praha, the alluring golden city

Praha, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, boasts itself as one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in Europe.

Traces of Soviet Era

Praha is renowned for its 18 bridges spanning the Vltava River, adorned with historic vaulted churches, golden spires atop hills, ancient Romanesque and Gothic-style castles, and the gentle meandering river flowing through the city.

Dubbed the golden city, Praha proudly stands as one of the most picturesque and charming cities in Europe, attracting millions of visitors annually and bestowed with titles such as the “golden city,” “crown jewel of the world,” “city of a hundred spires”... And, much like Rome built on 7 hills, Praha is built upon 9 hills along the Vltava River.

Praha was established at the crossroads of ancient commercial routes, a melting pot of diverse cultures and spiritualities.

I checked into the hostel named “Mr. Tobby,” conveniently located near the city center. Looking out from the bedroom window, Prague still carries traces of its Soviet past with large posters depicting soldiers, determined factory workers raising their fists alongside the hammer and sickle emblem.

What caught my attention most was stepping into the garden behind the hostel for a morning coffee, where I discovered all the tables were “upcycled” from old sewing machine bases from the communist era. I wondered if this was a deliberate vintage decor or a way for people to make use of what's still functional without discarding it. My Vietnamese friend in Prague came to the hostel to greet me and said: 'When in Prague, you must try a large glass of beer, enjoy coffee atop the “dancing house,” and definitely go for a tarot reading!' I was excited beyond words by such enticing suggestions!

Admiring the city from atop the “dancing house”

The Czechs consider locally brewed beers as the nation's precious assets. The name Czech Beer is not unfamiliar to Vietnamese people, as most of the beers here are exceptionally good, making it difficult to compare and find the best one. Some beers like Kozel or Pilsner Urquell have won awards at beer competitions worldwide.

A friend took me to the famous U FLEKU beer hall located at 11 Krememcova Street. This is a historic Czech beer hall dating back to 1499, with wooden paneling, glass beer mug decorative lights, and of course, they only serve one type of dark beer brewed in-house. I dared not drink too much because I knew in a land where beer is like daily air to breathe, there would be too many types of beer to savor.

Savoring a cup of coffee on the top floor of the “dancing house” (the dancing house) is one of the most exciting experiences in Prague. The building is a big surprise and a subject of controversy for the global architecture community, with its “eccentric” and “twisted” design amidst the overall classic Gothic designs of Prague.

One must admire this building from every angle, from afar, up close; many say, when looking at the building, they feel intoxicated. I enjoyed a cup of coffee on the balcony of the building, gazing at the distant city and river, an unforgettable sensation.

Surely those who visit fortune tellers in Prague, like myself, are not there to see how their destiny unfolds, but to revel in the mystical atmosphere reminiscent of 14th-15th-century period dramas.

If you've watched European traveler films, you'll recognize images of Bohemian girls, adorned in various clothes and jewelry, heavily made up, with wild red hair, sitting next to a crystal ball, or reading palms and predicting future destinies. Bohemian originally referred to a kingdom before the Czech Republic was established.

In Prague, if you wander into one of the narrow alleys, you'll find many signs leading to these “fortune tellers.” Many signs even specify “we speak English, French” to cater to tourists.

The Bridge of Romance

Another famous spot not to be missed in Prague is the Charles Bridge (named the Bridge of Romance by Vietnamese students who came to study and work here decades ago). It's the oldest bridge in Prague, built in 1342, with 16 arches, adorned with 30 religious statues. Formerly known as the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, it was renamed Charles Bridge in 1870.

Legend has it that when constructing the bridge, they added egg yolks to the mortar to enhance its solidity. Perhaps that's why the bridge still stands strong after over 650 years, enduring numerous floods and remains the oldest stone bridge in Europe still in use. At both ends of the bridge are two fortresses, connecting the two parts of the city – the old city of Prague and the new city.

Late afternoon is the most beautiful and romantic time in Prague, the golden sunlight of the day's end casting a glow upon the bricks, making the bridge and streets gleam as if gilded, hence Prague is often called the “golden city.”

Along the sides of the bridge, street performers play string instruments, next to them, an elderly painter meticulously crafts each stroke on a portrait of a red-haired girl, young men in sailor suits tout river tours, and the loveliest sight of all is couples nestled close, admiring the sunset by the sparkling river.

Vietnamese Market in Prague

For Vietnamese visitors in Prague, a visit to Sapa Market is a must. In the Czech Republic, there are over 83,000 Vietnamese residents, mainly in Prague. It is these Vietnamese individuals who have established the Sapa Trade Center (affectionately known as Sapa Market), a place for exchanging and trading distinctly Vietnamese goods. This area not only houses a market but also restaurants, beauty shops, services, schools, kindergartens, and temples in Vietnamese style.

At Sapa Market, you can find anything from clothing, home decor, toys… to vegetables, fruits, fish sauce, frozen shrimp, dried seafood, tea, rice, tofu, mung beans, and even… grilled pork vermicelli, dog meat. It's an ideal place for someone longing for the taste of Vietnam while far from home. However, the local residents here are mainly Vietnamese, although they have lived here for a long time, their proficiency in Czech and English is limited, leading to limited integration into local life or development of other professions beyond trading is rarely seen.

My journey in Prada has left me with fond memories. I truly fell in love with Prague, a harmonious blend, a convergence of Eastern and Western cultures, a beautiful and gentle city that touched my heart.

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Source: Mytour Travel Handbook  |  According to Duyên Dáng Vietnam Magazine