Hanoi History 101

I don't need salubrious surroundings and funky music in my cafes. Places to be seen are places to avoid. I don't have the right clothes, haircut or motorbike, anyway. There is a certain aesthetic that rates with me, though.

Clutter appeals. I hate cigarette smoke up my nose but kind of like the way it stains the walls. A street facing stool, a passing parade and a view of a temple scores points. Feeling a sense of days gone by is good in a cafe, too. History is palpable at this place in the old quarter. A permanent collection of black and white photographs depict Hanoians alighting from the old street cars that used to rattle around the city. Others have captured an eerie and unrestrained Hoan Kiem Lake, an old quarter street strangely unencumbered by motorbikes and wartime destruction of buildings that would have been standing right across from this very cafe.

A moment of reflection accompanied by a caffeine injection.

Cafe 61 Bat Su
Old Quarter
Hanoi

Comments

[hooka]

This is my first time visiting your site and i must say i like it very much.
Your post was a good read.
I will definetly check back here more often!



hooka

[Linh Bluebloodtraveler]

I just watched the Talk Vietnam Show and happens to know your blog page.

It was great read and I enjoy all the posts and reviews.

btw the images for this post is funny, the guy in the images now grows a long hair. Cafe 61 is still fully occupied as usual,

You ( an expat) and me ( a local), actually shared many common places for eat and drink.

Thanks again for all your work share, looking fw to your coming book.