Morning cityscape photo - AI created
That statement sparked a bit of curiosity in me, not about life in the middle of the night (since I can't stay up late anyway), but about my perspective on the city I live in.
They say that to change your mood about an event, you need to change your perspective. So what about cities? What if we also changed our perspective?
So I chose a leisurely day, packed my backpack, selected a neighborhood I'd never considered visiting, and began my walking journey to "change perspectives."
The advantage of being an artist is that we work during the hours when others are having fun, and conversely, while everyone else is in the office during business hours, someone like me might be wandering around somewhere.
Many years ago, I was the first artist invited to tour the metro.
Then the COVID pandemic hit, and everything came to a standstill until today. Right now, I'm sitting on the metro train going from City Theatre Station to Suoi Tien Bus Station, feeling quite nostalgic.
Sitting with strangers, each with their own destination, I looked at the announcements displayed on the train's information screen and felt excited.
From now on, when we travel abroad and film it, the metro ride won't be an unfamiliar sight anymore. From now on, our appointments won't be "Pick me up at... my house!" anymore, but "Meet me at... the station!". Just moments ago we were stuck in the dust and smog of the intersection, but now this train ride seems to extend our youthful dreams.
I also realized that my city truly exists between the familiar and the unfamiliar. This is a place where you can still see elderly people sitting reading newspapers early in the morning with a small cup of drip coffee, while young people sit in trendy, beautiful cafes with smartphones in their hands.
This is a place where you can still hear the calls of street vendors, occasionally the sounds of people buying and selling scrap metal, and the sounds of popular international music emanating from elegant cafes in the narrow alleyways.
This is also a place where, while walking, you can see humble, old-fashioned buildings alongside glittering skyscrapers. You can see street vendors and cars, each side vibrant in its own unique way. And, you can also hear Bolero music – folk songs that still soothe the soul – alongside concerts by handsome male and beautiful female singers with tens of thousands of young fans singing along…
Last year, I had the opportunity to sing at the April 30th celebration on a floating stage on Nha Rong Wharf, joining in the joyous national celebration where love resonated with the laughter and applause of young people throughout the "national concert".
And do you see, between the familiar and the unfamiliar shores, there is a city that is changing every day?
The fenced-off areas that had been closed for years have now been transformed into lush green parks along Ly Thai To, Tran Phu, Cong Quynh, Ho Hao Hon - Tran Hung Dao, and Nguyen Hue streets… The Youth Cultural Center will also reopen with a new vitality and appearance… Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, the city is transforming like a sacred dragon “warming up” its body, waiting for the day to soar high into the clouds.
The train shivered slightly before slowly pulling into the station, pulling me out of my reverie. Stepping out of the cool carriage, the golden sunlight of late April immediately bathed my face, bringing with it the vibrant pulse of a bustling city eagerly awaiting a grand celebration. Yet, this place always graciously reserves quiet spaces for memories and for generations who have lived through countless ups and downs.
The feeling of melancholy and loneliness suddenly vanished. This city, no matter how much it changes, always has a place for everyone!
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thanh-pho-minh-giua-doi-bo-quen-la-20260426163332493.htm
