Arriving in the red city of the land of a thousand and one nights.

Located in North Africa, on the shores of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans, just 13 km from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco is considered a jewel of the African continent. Rabat is the capital, Casablanca is the largest city – already famous for the song and film of the same name – and Marrakech is a must-see destination when visiting the country.

Street storytelling in Djemaa el Fna Square

Recovering after setbacks

From Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, I drove for over two hours on the highway to Marrakech – a city that, throughout mid-September, had been described by the world media as devastated by the strongest earthquake in a century. Many parts of the city were still in ruins. In remote areas near the epicenter, rescue efforts were still ongoing.

Ms. Nguyen Huynh Ai Nhi (43 years old), one of the few Vietnamese people living and working in Marrakech, shared with me the footage she recorded while delivering food to support people in a village severely affected by the earthquake .

The old town of Medina is centuries old.

However, what I saw was more than that. Two weeks after the disaster, people in the city center gradually returned home, workers were busy repairing the damage, students were returning to school, and trade and tourism had resumed. The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque – a symbol of Marrakech built in the 12th century – stood tall. Djemaa el Fna Square, a famous landmark in Marrakech's Medina, the local markets, shopping centers, and streets were gradually recovering. Many appeals to tourists were posted on official government websites as well as on Moroccan and Marrakech community pages, because for them, tourism is one of the main sources of income. "We have made efforts to overcome the difficulties so that tourists are ready to return," a Moroccan government official told Thanh Nien newspaper .

In the middle of the red city

The Moroccan government has stated that tourism is central to its development ambitions and aims to double the number of tourists by 2030, when the country co-hosts the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

The former capital of Marrakech, also known as the Red City, boasts a unique blend of modernity and antiquity, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's not surprising to see a mix of cars, even luxury ones, on the streets, alongside horse-drawn carriages and simple donkey-drawn carts. There aren't many skyscrapers or a wide variety of colors; the entire city is a tapestry of houses, walls, tiled roofs, and even brick pavements, all painted in shades of red and pink. As a friend I met on my trip, Viviane (a representative of a non-governmental health organization in Zambia), put it, at first glance it seems like "boring uniforms," ​​but upon closer inspection, the Red City is truly beautiful, ancient, and irresistible.

The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque – a symbol of Marrakech – was built in the 12th century.

Nestled within the Medina are winding alleyways, where handcrafted carpets are sold overhead, while below, a plethora of colorful spices, traditional pottery, leather goods, and local specialties such as dates, olives, and pastries abound. The locals mainly speak Arabic and French, with some also speaking English.

The most striking aspect of Marrakech is probably the centuries-old cultural space in Djemaa el Fna Square – a bustling open-air market that brings together a unique blend of local Berber and Arab traditions. These are the few remaining itinerant storytellers amidst the modern chaos, recreating scenes from One Thousand and One Nights. Some men with a somewhat intimidating appearance begin their "once upon a time" stories in Arabic, and curious crowds gather around them, drawn into their captivating tales. Occasionally, people drop a few Moroccan dirhams (about 5,000 Vietnamese dong) into their hats. I was there too, and although I didn't understand much, the allure of their storytelling was undeniable.

Not far from that circle were snake charmers performing, their flutes playing, the snakes raising their heads just like in the Arabian films I'd seen. Next to them were stalls selling colorful henna. A little further on were countless "magic lamps" of all sizes. There were also many stalls selling handicrafts, traditional medicine, and various kinds of juices… I spoke with an elderly man selling pomegranate juice who had been in the area for many years and heard about the two words "thank you" that the locals valued so much. He spoke in Arabic, and my friend who lives there translated for me: "Customers can ask anything they want, and it's okay if they don't buy anything, as long as they say thank you, we're all happy."

In another corner of Marrakech, there are new neighborhoods or modern and convenient shopping centers. What's special is that while the exteriors are still painted in a reddish-pink color, the interiors are often meticulously decorated with ceramics and unique handcrafted paintings.

Bargaining and asking for tips

Shopping at the markets in Marrakech offers plenty of things to buy, but you can easily get ripped off if you're not careful. During my trip, I visited the market three times. The first time, alone, I was quoted 500 Moroccan dirhams (about 1.2 million VND) for an item. The next day, I returned with a Zambian friend who was good at bargaining, so I only paid 300 dirhams and even received a small, pretty piece of pottery as a gift. On my last day before leaving Marrakech, I went again. This time I went with a Moroccan and communicated in Arabic. The result was that the item only cost 80 dirhams…

Another equally unforgettable experience was getting lost in the old town at night. Some people sitting by the roadside were friendly and enthusiastic, offering directions, even proactively leading the way. Once we got closer to the main road, they asked for tips…

Tea, cakes

Marrakech also captivates with its scents and cuisine. As soon as I arrived in the Red City, I was offered a warm, fragrant cup of mint tea.

Benmoussa Mohamed Othmane, originally from Casablanca and working in the tourism industry in Marrakech, shared that mint tea is the national drink of Morocco. From ordinary citizens to distinguished guests, everyone is welcomed with this tea, regardless of whether it's a regular day or a special occasion. Many people enjoy tea with pastries. Speaking of pastries, Morocco is a land of countless varieties.

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