The pleasure of sitting in a cafe to enjoy Hanoi's winter.

Quán cafe với những chiếc ghế đơn sơ trong con ngõ nhỏ trên phố Lý Nam Đế.

A cafe with simple chairs in a small alley on Ly Nam De Street.

As the first chilly winds of the season gently sweep in, Hanoi enters its most beautiful time for… sitting down for coffee. It doesn't need to be fancy; it's simply a habit of the capital's residents to "seek warmth": put on an extra jacket, choose a familiar cafe, order a hot cup of coffee, and allow yourself to slow down a bit amidst the hustle and bustle.

Thú vui ngồi cà phê để tận hưởng mùa đông Hà Nội - Ảnh 1. — As the first cool breezes of the season gently sweep in, Hanoi enters its most beautiful time for… sitting in a cafe.

The habit of drinking coffee in Hanoi is nothing new, but in recent years, it has taken on a different character. It's no longer just about staying alert before work; people seek out coffee shops to escape the hustle and bustle, to chat, read a few pages of a book, do some light work, or simply to watch the city change with the seasons. Amidst a volatile global coffee market and the continuous record-breaking prices of Vietnamese coffee, leading to unprecedented export growth, domestic coffee connoisseurs are becoming increasingly discerning: focusing on the flavor of the beans, the roasting method, the origin of the growing region, and the story behind each cup of coffee.

Thú vui ngồi cà phê để tận hưởng mùa đông Hà Nội - Ảnh 2. — Coffee connoisseurs are becoming increasingly discerning: they pay close attention to the flavor of the beans, the roasting method, the origin of the growing region, and the story behind each cup of coffee.

The cafes' interiors are meticulously designed, and the service is increasingly refined. Many cafes attract young customers simply with a small corner of beautiful lighting, a few simple wooden chairs, or music that matches their mood. A photo or video shared on social media can turn a cafe into a "must-visit" destination, contributing to transforming coffee culture into a lifestyle for young people in Hanoi.

Thú vui ngồi cà phê để tận hưởng mùa đông Hà Nội - Ảnh 3. — Coffee and sticky rice with green rice flakes – a combination that embodies the spirit of Hanoi's autumn and winter seasons.

On Ly Nam De alley, a coffee shop that started as a small pushcart run by a man from Da Lat has become a familiar meeting place for many. The shop primarily sells takeout, but instead of using plastic or paper cups, the coffee is served in reusable glass bottles. Customers who bring their own cups or bottles receive a 10,000 VND discount – a seemingly rigid approach, but one that perfectly aligns with the shop's spirit: drink a cup of coffee and leave no trash behind. With just a few chairs on the porch and on the second floor, customers can sit, chat casually, or simply stand and enjoy their coffee in the setting of the old apartment complex in front, amidst the peaceful alley adorned with flags. It's simple, yet very… Hanoi-esque.

Thú vui ngồi cà phê để tận hưởng mùa đông Hà Nội - Ảnh 4. — Egg coffee is a treat especially for winter.

Meanwhile, on Chau Long Street, an old house, abandoned since the 1990s and covered in vines and dust, was "awakened" in 2022 through the "Bringing the Forest to the City" project of the UNESCO Hanoi Youth Innovation Center. This space was restored as a miniature ecosystem, where trees thrive and become a green "breathing space" in the urban area. Finding a connection, Y To To Kbruor, a member of the Ede ethnic group, brought the flavor of Central Highlands coffee here, spreading the warmth and sincerity of the forest right in the heart of the old town.

Thú vui ngồi cà phê để tận hưởng mùa đông Hà Nội - Ảnh 5. — Visiting a favorite cafe is a way to get back in balance with life.

Hanoi is constantly changing. New cafes spring up, while old ones sometimes disappear with the changing market. But with a love for Vietnamese coffee beans, along with the creativity and unique identity of each cafe owner, many still maintain their place in the hearts of coffee connoisseurs. And so, every weekend, every lunchtime, people return to their favorite cafes as a way to balance their lives, giving Vietnamese coffee beans another chance to conquer the hearts of those who love it.