A place of silent miracles

Telling stories with hands.

After hearing many recommendations about a quiet café nestled on a pine-covered hill in the heart of Da Lat, we were surprised to find ourselves in the small space at the Lam Dong Provincial Center for Inclusive Education Development Support (No. 1, Nguyen Khuyen Street, Cam Ly Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong Province), a place devoid of songs or familiar greetings…in the silent world of the children, there is only sharing and the dream of living a fulfilling life.

The shop is essentially a vocational training space for hearing-impaired children, run entirely by young hearing-impaired individuals who "speak" with their skillful hands and expressive eyes. Each drink, each handcrafted product—from paintings and fabric bags to essential oils—is the culmination of patience, passion, and a zest for life.

“Everything here is just right and cozy. There’s no glitz or the loud shouting you often hear in crowded cafes. Here, I choose my own seat, signal to order, and the staff respond with a smile,” shared Ms. Ha Thanh (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City).

Through our research, we learned that the establishment of the shop has a very personal story, beginning with the heartfelt connection of someone working in the tourism industry. Mr. Vo Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of Vietravel Lam Dong (the founder of the vocational training space for hearing-impaired children), shared: “During a visit to the Lam Dong School for the Hearing-Impaired (now the Lam Dong Provincial Center for Supporting Inclusive Education Development), I saw small gifts made from pine needles, scraps of fabric, and clay by the students, along with the quiet dedication of the teachers. This made me ask myself: how can I make those hands feel the value of their own work?”

This cafe also serves as a vocational training workshop for hearing-impaired young people, located at 1 Nguyen Khuyen Street, Cam Ly Ward, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province.

From that question, a journey with deaf young people began. Without a communication strategy or a business plan, the vocational training space was created with the hope of helping them gain confidence to integrate into the community and become useful members of society.

"We invite teachers and instructors who share our empathy to teach the children handicrafts such as paper painting, sewing combined with artistic embroidery, baking, bartending, etc., following the principle of learning a practical trade that suits the children's circumstances and helps them support themselves," shared Mr. Vo Anh Tuan.

"Workshop" for connecting emotions

More than just a cafe and vocational training center for children with disabilities, this place is also an open creative space for organizing workshops on handicrafts, embroidery, essential oil blending, and more. Visitors can enjoy coffee while immersing themselves in real-life stories.

Nguyen Luong Quang (24 years old, a staff member at the cafe) used to live a secluded life after leaving school for the hearing impaired, feeling lost and uncertain about his future. But since coming to the cafe, Quang has gradually rediscovered himself, finding his values, faith, and a clearer dream. With his still clumsy but determined handwriting, Quang wrote: "I dream of opening a small cafe someday to create jobs for people like me."

Mr. Le Kim Phuc, Director of We For You Travel Company, shared: “This is a café, a cultural space, a vibrant workshop, and a healing experience. Visitors come not only to enjoy the flavors but also to feel empathy, something we sometimes forget in modern life.” Customers often take home more than just a handmade craft; it's a sense of tranquility, awakening, and the belief that there is still kindness and quiet “miracles” out there.

"Every time we paint pictures with the children, attach beads to fabric bags, or pour wax into a lip balm jar, we learn to appreciate the small details of life, and learn to connect through emotions instead of words," shared Ms. Kim Ngan, a regular customer of the cafe for the past 5 years.

Surprisingly, in a place where words are almost nonexistent, people learn more about listening. Here, no one is "defective," only people living each moment to the fullest, contributing in the simplest ways, where people relearn how to love, appreciate differences, and nurture simple yet beautiful dreams.

The cafe is like a quiet but not melancholic note in the symphony of Da Lat's mountain town. An essential destination for those seeking peace, sharing, and subtle values amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

DOAN KIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/noi-cua-phep-mau-lang-tham-post813853.html