hanoi

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My tufting experience in Hanoi

Is it worth it?

Short answer: Yes, I had a blast discovering a crafty side of me! However, the workshop can be physically demanding, so starting with a small canvas is advisable to avoid sore hands and arms the next day.

Longer answer: Where/When/What/How?

  • Location: 「Rug Talk Vietnam」– 10 Trương Hán Siêu, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
    The studio is located on the 2nd floor of the building. Grab/Taxi is the most convenient to get there. If you ride a motorbike, you’ll have to find a parking place. Motorbike riders may park at a nearby cafe named ORO at 17 Truong Han Sieu, but I’m not sure if it’s safe because no security guy is watching over the vehicles.
    >>> Here’s their IG for direct chat: rugtalk.vietnam
  • Opening time: Each workshop lasts 3 hours. There are several time slots but limited space, so do chat with them to book in advance to secure a slot:
    >>> Mon to Thu: 9am-12pm & 2pm-5pm
    >>> Fri to Sun: 9am-12pm & 2pm-5pm & 6pm-9pm
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Hanoi: Mao Bookstore (Nhà sách Mão)

• Address: No. 5 Dinh Le street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, Vietnam (Following Google Maps is the best way to get there: reach no. 5, go into the narrow alley, follow the signboard to the 2nd floor, you’ll find the store on the left side of the stairs.)

• Website: http://nhasachmao.com

SUMMARY:

✅ A perfect place to find Vietnamese books from old times. 99% of the books here are in Vietnamese (either original or translated).

✅ Chill atmosphere, cozy space, friendly staff, reasonable price (a real bargain for old books). The books are organized by categories, but it isn’t very clear how to look for a particular title. You can spend time skimming through the whole thing yourself or just ask the staff for their assistance.

✅ Respect others’ space and follow the instructions printed on the white paper signs. If you want to take some photos to check in, be quick and don’t obstruct other visitors. Continue reading →

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The little gift I got from Hanoi

Singapore, 07 Jan 2023

One of my besties came by my place during her weekend trip to unite with her boyfriend in Singapore. She gave me this package of “bánh xu xê,” also known as “bánh phu thê.” In my memory, it was a special treat only available at weddings – the signal of hope for a bright future, long-lasting happiness, and marital fidelity of the newlyweds. There is an old tale about the origin of this sweet treat, saying that it was first made by Queen Consort Chiêu Linh to send to her husband, King Lý Anh Tông, while he was on a battlefront. For that reason, it symbolizes the unshaken bond between the wife and the husband, thus, the name husband-and-wife cake. Of course, we can’t fact-check an orally recited story dating back to the 1100s, but we can all grasp its beautiful message ^◡^ At first, I thought this cake was only famous in the Northern provinces, but somehow most of the tutorial videos I found online were guided by a Southern person. Guess it’s a Vietnam thing now!

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Lần đầu làm chuyện ấy
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Lần đầu làm chuyện ấy

Cũng không biết nên bắt đầu câu chuyện từ điểm nào, thôi thì xông thẳng vào vấn đề luôn. Mình có một cái to-do list những thứ muốn thử làm trước khi tròn 20 và bước sang tuổi 21. Đương nhiên là chẳng có gì illegal đâu ạ, mình không trẩu tre quá đáng đến như thế :p Một trong mấy những đầu mục ấy là đi bar và thử experience the nightlife, nghe có vẻ hơi chất chơi người dơi nhưng đã thử qua một chút rồi thì thấy cũng chẳng đáng sợ như giang hồ đồn đại. Sáng ngủ lăn lóc đến 11h mới dậy thế là hứng trí vô blog update luôn cho khỏi quên!

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