When the Winds Can Tell Stories

Known as the cradle of modern architecture and the birthplace of skyscrapers, Chicago welcomed the Vietnamese delegation with a biting cold wind that pierced through even thick clothing. Despite their familiarity with the name "Windy City," visitors from tropical countries couldn't help but shiver from the intense cold. However, the chill didn't diminish their eagerness to explore this beautiful city in the American Midwest. Chicago, renowned as the birthplace of the world's first skyscrapers, is also quite "fickle," captivating with its unique culture and hidden stories in every corner. That's why the organizers of the IPW 2025 International Travel and Tourism Fair, where our delegates will be participating, chose this destination to "bring the world to America" ​​this year.

The Chicago River is closely linked to the city's history.

A blend of ancient and modern beauty.

When visiting Chicago, many people choose to visit famous skyscrapers like the Willis Tower or the John Hancock Center, which offer impressive panoramic views of the city from above. However, our group decided to spend the first part of our time walking the streets, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the rhythm of life in America's third-largest metropolis. Wandering along the downtown streets, we came across a train gently gliding across a dark brown steel bridge. This is the Chicago Lighthouse Line (L, short for Elevated), built in the 19th century and a vital transportation route, operating 24/7. As one of the oldest lighthouse systems in the world , Chicago Lighthouse Line was also voted one of the seven wonders of the city in 2005 by readers of the Chicago Tribune. In the soft late afternoon sunlight, I watched the silver train slowly glide by, feeling a profound sense of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern city.

Lake Michigan – a beautiful natural freshwater lake.

Walking east from Michigan Avenue for about 10 minutes, across Grant Park, we arrived at the shores of Lake Michigan. Before us stretched a vast expanse of turquoise, dotted with countless white sailboats shimmering in the sunlight. Surprisingly, despite being a lake, Michigan Lake is enormous, covering 58,000 square kilometers, making it one of the five largest freshwater lakes in the United States. Although not entirely within Chicago's boundaries, Lake Michigan has become an inseparable symbol of the city. The lake, as vast as the ocean, provides the city with beautiful beaches, parks, and famous attractions such as Navy Pier – a complex of restaurants, a dock, and the iconic Centennial Ferris wheel – and Museum Campus – home to several world-class museums including the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. Around the lake, people stroll, jog, cycle, or boat, while children play in the sand and swim in the water—all charming aspects of this beautiful city.

The unique sculpture, The Bean.

The magic bean – a symbol of the city.

Located in Millennium Park, The Cloud Gate – also known as The Bean – is a famous outdoor sculpture and iconic symbol of Chicago. Created by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor, the entire structure was completed in 2006. Inspired by the concept of a "cloud gate," the work is made by skillfully cutting, assembling, and welding together pieces of stainless steel to form a giant mirror reflecting the sky, skyline, and surrounding buildings. The color of The Bean changes depending on the weather. On the day I visited, it was overcast and raining heavily, so The Bean appeared silvery white. We strolled around, crawled under the curved arch of The Bean, and took many photos of ourselves reflected and distorted from various interesting angles.

People cycle leisurely around Lake Michigan.

Pilsen Chicago – a vibrant Mexican neighborhood.

The most impressive part of this Chicago exploration trip was the unique cultural experience in Pilsen, Chicago – a Mexican-American neighborhood in the west of the city. Just a few steps from the beginning of the neighborhood, we were greeted by numerous giant, vibrant murals. Our guide stopped and meticulously recounted the stories reflected in the paintings. These were stories of the struggle for independence, justice, and social equality. Across the street, a street band played lively Latin music, enticing tourists to stop and dance along to the drums and guitars. Here, I made a promise to my travel companions that we absolutely had to try traditional Mexican cuisine . So, we chose a small eatery at the beginning of the street and enjoyed the famous tacos with their handmade tortillas, served with sauce, rice, and beans. The eager diners also didn't forget to sip on a classic Margarita with its signature salted rim. Returning home with a full stomach, I no longer felt the chilly Chicago wind bothering me.

Chicago greeted us with a cold wind and the capriciousness of the weather in a single day, but it was the stories hidden in every street corner that left a deep and warm impression. It is a city not just to look at, but to feel with your heart.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/khi-nhung-con-gio-biet-ke-chuyen/