Minority Coffee and the journey of spreading highland culture in the heart of Hanoi

In the hustle and bustle of the city, Minority Tea & Coffee chooses to slow down to tell the story of national culture. Each cup of tea or coffee here is a small slice of the journey to preserve identity.

From the cherished memories of the highlanders

The founders of Minority Tea & Coffee were all born and raised in the mountains and forests of the Northwest where morning mist covers the stilt houses, the sound of the flute echoes during festivals and ethnic culture is passed down through generations. When they left their homeland to start a business, they brought with them the desire to create a space where ethnic culture is preserved and naturally spread in modern life.

The name “Minority” was chosen as a way to remind us of our roots. It not only represents the Northwest region but also the common voice of all ethnic minority communities who are preserving their culture in every way of life, song, and look.

Located at 8 Huynh Thuc Khang ( Hanoi ), Thieu So Tea & Coffee appears both rustic and imbued with national culture. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

Anh Duc, operations manager of Thieu Do Tea & Coffee in Hanoi, shared: "A minority but a lot, many stories, many colors and many emotions. At Thieu Do, we do not follow trends. Everything is done with a spirit of respect: Respect for culture, people and the journey we are on."

Therefore, the space of Minority Tea & Coffee is designed so that people can feel the culture in the most natural way. The faint smell of coffee, the gentle background music and the stories of the highlands told in a sincere voice make the guests come and go with a bit of the peace of the mountains and forests.

From the moment you step inside, the restaurant gives you the feeling of being lost in a miniature stilt house. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

Preserving the Red Dao people's soul in the heart of Hanoi

If each "Minority" store is a story, then "Minority" Hanoi is a chapter about the culture of the Red Dao people. Mr. Duc shared: "The Red Dao people have their own unique features, both strong and delicate. We want to preserve that spirit in every corner of the shop, so that everyone who visits can feel a part of the culture of the highlands."

The space of the shop is taken care of in every small detail: dark red brocade hanging in the corner of the wall, model of stilt house, bamboo basket, Red Dao costume... All blend with the aroma of tea and soft music, creating a rare peaceful feeling in the middle of crowded streets.

The minority has become a place for visitors to stop, sip tea and listen to stories about the Red Dao people. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

Every Sunday evening, traditional music resounds in the heart of Hanoi. The sounds of mouth harp, panpipe, and cat flute resonate throughout the restaurant, bringing the breath of the mountains and forests closer to the city dwellers. The restaurant space, which already has a strong highland character, is now even more vibrant thanks to the rustic yet profound melodies, helping customers relax and experience the culture directly.

"Minority" is therefore not just a coffee shop, but a place to preserve the memories and spirit of the great mountains, where the culture of the highlands is told through colors, sounds and emotions, so that anyone who passes by will carry a bit of peace and a bit of dreaminess of the mountains and forests in their hearts.

Each ethnic painting hanging on the wall is a slice of highland life. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

Van Thanh (20 years old), a young man who often comes to the shop to chat with friends, said: "Every time I come to Thieu Do, I get to 'escape' in the middle of Hanoi. Every corner of Thieu Do evokes rustic memories, like I've encountered somewhere on a trip to the highlands."

The "minority" does not follow trends or noisy styles. The spirit of the shop is to respect and preserve cultural values, so that they can exist and be felt in modern life.

"Because I believe that culture is the only thing that is not swept away by time. Even though the world is spinning very fast, culture will always be the foundation, and the thread that connects people to their roots," Duc shared.

Not following trends or noisy movements, Minority chooses to tell stories through culture and silence. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

The shop has become a meeting place for those who love culture and want to find a quiet space amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Some people come to reminisce about their hometowns, others simply want to listen to traditional music and feel the space that is carefully cared for in every detail. The happiest thing about the shop is that many ethnic people currently living in Hanoi also come to work and cooperate.

Preserving identity is not nostalgia but a way to move forward in a more sustainable way, to let it live in the present and accompany life. When old values are appreciated and retold in a new way, they become a source of energy, helping people balance between modernity and tradition./.

From quiet corners inside to open courtyards outdoors, Minority creates a variety of spaces, suitable for enjoying tea, chatting or working. (Photo: Nguyen Tam/Vietnam+)

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/caphe-thieu-so-va-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-van-hoa-vung-cao-giua-long-ha-noi-post1075238.vnp