When the winds tell stories

Article: An Nhien
Photo: Shutterstock

Chicago welcomed the Vietnamese delegation with a chilly wind that penetrated even their thick coats. Although they already knew the name Windy City, visitors from the tropics could not help but shiver from the deep cold. However, the cold wind did not diminish the excitement of exploring the beautiful city in the Central United States. Famous as the cradle of modern architecture, the birthplace of the world 's first skyscrapers, Chicago is very "capricious", charming with its own unique culture and stories hidden in every street corner. That is the reason why the Organizing Committee of the IPW 2025 International Tourism Trade Fair, where we delegates will participate, chose this destination to "bring the world to America" this year.

Ancient and modern beauty intertwined

When visiting Chicago, many people will choose famous skyscrapers, such as Willis Tower or John Hancock Center, which offer impressive panoramic views of the city from above, but the group decided to spend the first part of their time walking on the streets, breathing the air and feeling the rhythm of life in the third largest metropolis in the United States. Wandering along the central street, we came across the image of a train gently gliding across a dark brown steel bridge. This is the Chicago L (short for Elevated) train system, built in the 19th century and becoming an important transportation route, operating 24/7. As one of the oldest subway systems in the world, the Chicago L was also voted one of the seven wonders of the city by readers of the Chicago Tribune in 2005. In the gentle sunlight of the late afternoon, I watched the image of the silver train slowly passing by, as if feeling a very peaceful silence amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern city.

Lake Michigan – a beautiful natural freshwater lake

From Michigan Avenue, walking east for about 10 minutes, passing Grant Park, we arrived at the shore of Lake Michigan (Michigan Lake). Before our eyes opened a vast expanse of blue with countless white sails sparkling under the sun. Surprisingly, although it is a lake, Michigan Lake has a huge area, up to 58,000 km2, one of the 5 largest freshwater lakes in the United States. Although not entirely located within the Chicago area, Michigan Lake has also become an inseparable symbol of this city. The lake is as big as the sea, providing the city with beautiful beaches, parks and famous attractions such as Navy Pier - a complex of restaurants, piers and the iconic Centennial Ferris wheel, or the Museum Campus - home to a number of world-class museums such as the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. Around the lake, people leisurely stroll, jog, cycle, row boats or children play on the sand, swim in the water, which is also a lovely feature of this beautiful city.

Magic beans – the symbol of the city

Located right in the central park Millennium Park, The Cloud Gate – also known as The Bean – is a famous outdoor sculpture, a symbol associated with Chicago. The work was completed by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor in 2006. With the idea of a “cloud gate”, the work was created by skillfully cutting and welding stainless steel pieces, forming a giant mirror reflecting the sky, the horizon and the surrounding buildings. The color of the Bean will change according to the color of the sky. On the day I arrived, the sky was dark and rainy, so the Bean was silvery white. We gently walked around, crawled under the curved arch of the Bean, took many pictures of ourselves reflected and distorted in many interesting angles.

Pils e n Chicago – colorful Mexican neighborhood

The most impressive point of this Chicago discovery journey was the unique indigenous cultural experience in Pilsen Chicago - a Mexican-American neighborhood located in the west of the city. Just a few steps from the beginning of the neighborhood, we were able to admire many giant, colorful murals. The tour guide stopped and told each story in detail reflected in the paintings. It was a story about the history of the struggle for independence, justice and social equality. Across the street, a street band was playing lively Latin music, making visitors stop and dance to the beat of the drums and the sound of the guitar. When I arrived, I made a promise to my companions that we must definitely enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine . Therefore, we decided to choose a small restaurant at the beginning of the street to enjoy the famous Taco with handmade bread, served with sauce, rice and beans. The eager diners also did not forget to sip a classic Margarita with a signature salt rim. Returning with a growling stomach, I no longer felt the chilly Chicago wind bother me.

Chicago welcomed us with a cold wind, with the capriciousness of the weather in a day, but it was the stories hidden in every corner that brought deep and warm impressions. It is a city not only to be seen, but also to feel with the heart.

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