A moment of silence amidst the noisy music.

(NLĐO) - I don't know when it started, but waiting for each drop of coffee to trickle down has become an indispensable ritual for me before starting a new day.

This morning, the city was as bustling as ever. On my desk, my slim laptop displayed dozens of browser tabs and a constant stream of message notifications. But right next to that sleek, modern exterior stood a completely out-of-place "character": an old, tarnished aluminum coffee filter.

Waiting for each drop of coffee to trickle down has become an indispensable ritual for me before starting a day of racing against deadlines.

I don't know when it started, but waiting for each drop of coffee to trickle down has become an indispensable ritual for me before beginning a day of racing against deadlines.

Look, each drop, thick and dark brown, slowly settles at the bottom of the glass. It's so leisurely that it sometimes makes me impatient, but it's precisely this slowness that pulls me away from the invisible whirlpools of 5G networks or endless online meetings.

Yet, in this age where everything can be done with just a touch, people strangely crave something original. There are times when I'm so engrossed in typing that I forget about reality, only to be startled awake by the rich, slightly bitter aroma of coffee wafting into my nostrils, realizing I'm still here, right now.

A cup of coffee is not just a drink to stay awake; it's like a precious "pause" amidst the overwhelming symphony of life.

Perhaps the essence of Vietnamese coffee lies in patience.

Looking back, technology can change the way we work, transforming the office into anything from a sidewalk cafe to a small corner room. But no matter how intelligent AI becomes, or how fast machines get, they can never replace the feeling of warmth from a ceramic cup spreading in the palm of your hand, or the subtly bitter yet sweet aftertaste lingering on your tongue.

Perhaps the very essence of Vietnamese coffee lies in that patience. Amidst the turbulent year of 2026, I still choose to believe that even if the world operates on algorithms, people will always return to those familiar bitter drops to find themselves still true, calm, and full of life.

In 2026, despite many changes, people will always return to familiar bitter experiences to find themselves still being themselves, calm and full of vitality.

(Entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest 2026, part of the 4th "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/not-lang-giua-ban-nhac-on-ao-196260324103521751.htm