The girl is passionate about Korean culture.

Việt Nam•12/11/2023

( Quang Ngai Newspaper) - Keeping pace with the startup trend, Ms. Ho Thi Phuong Oanh (33 years old), residing in Nghia Lo ward (Quang Ngai City), has opened Hanji Cafe. This cafe, with its strong Korean cultural elements, attracts many young people to experience it.

Ms. Ho Thi Phuong Oanh prepares plant-based milk to serve customers.

Impressions of Hanok houses

Hanji Cafe, located in the Bau Giang - Cau Moi residential area, in Group 1, Nghia Lo Ward, boasts a rustic and gentle decor. The cafe makes an impression with its house designed in the Hanok style – the traditional Korean house. The curved tiled roof, the large glass windows, and the low wooden tables allow customers to enjoy the authentic Hanok atmosphere. Inside, the brown tones of the wood create a distinctive color scheme.

Ms. Ho Thi Phuong Oanh said that the house was designed out of a passion for learning about the cultures of Asian countries, including Korean culture. This is a country that shares many similarities with Vietnamese culture.

Hanok is the name given to traditional houses in this country, popular since the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The houses are designed to suit the climate, a peaceful lifestyle, and respect for nature.

As for Hanji, the name chosen by Ms. Oanh for the shop, it comes from the name of a type of traditional paper. The main ingredient is the fiber of mulberry trees, which grow in high rocky mountains. With its high durability, smoothness, and breathability, Hanji is not only used for calligraphy and painting, but also for wall coverings, door decorations, lanterns, souvenirs, and even clothing. This is a unique cultural feature that always appears in festivals and important occasions in this country.

“We wanted to offer our customers a unique and novel space. Having cherished the dream of opening a restaurant, my husband and I painstakingly searched for materials, furniture, and items that were suitable for traditional Korean culture. Thanks to the skilled hands of the designers and builders, that dream has become a reality,” Ms. Oanh shared.

Experience wearing traditional clothing.

Ms. Oanh graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and worked for a long time at Quang Ngai Sugar Joint Stock Company. Afterward, she quit her job to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. She boldly invested in a coffee shop, recreating a traditional Korean Hanok house. The more she learned, the more captivated she became by Korean traditional culture. Besides Hanok houses and Hanji paper, she particularly loves Hanbok, the traditional attire that embodies the character and spirit of the Korean people. “Hanbok is the national costume of Korea. A women's Hanbok consists of two main parts: the Jeogori, a short jacket, and the Chima, a high-waisted skirt. Men's attire is simpler. Depending on age, wearers choose different jewelry and accessories to match, reflecting their individual style and preferences,” Ms. Oanh added.

Ms. Oanh went online to research and contact suppliers to order custom-made costumes, helping young people have new experiences in the vibrant cultural space of Korea, and providing a place for Koreans living, studying, and working in Quang Ngai to visit and ease their homesickness. Many couples and families even come to the cafe to take wedding photos. “I love the simplicity and peace of Hanji. The beautiful costumes and accessories of Korean women made me and my friends feel refreshed when we wore them and captured beautiful moments. Visiting the cafe helped me understand more about the traditional culture of our neighboring country. This is a fun and practical experience,” shared Ms. Nguyen Le Ai Diem (26 years old), from Tinh Khe commune (Quang Ngai City).

Taking a stroll through the Hanji Garden in Hanbok is a wonderful experience. Here, you can enjoy flavorful drinks from the land of kimchi. For Ms. Oanh, the cafe is a labor of love and a passion for the traditional culture of Korea, which she meticulously cares for every day, contributing to the diversity of traditional cultures of various countries and ethnic groups in her homeland; at the same time, it reflects the openness and sincerity of the people of Quang Ngai.

Text and photos: THIEN HAU

RELATED NEWS AND ARTICLES:

Source