There is such a quiet Hong Kong

Bustling and quiet

True to its name, the “city that never sleeps”, in Hong Kong, even though the clock hands have passed midnight, in the central areas of Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, I still see the shops are still lit up, people are bustling, especially on weekend evenings. Or the famous Lan Kwai Fong area only becomes especially bustling after 9 pm.

The liveliness of Hong Kong is not evoked by the loud car horns or the bustling voices of people, but comes from the bustling atmosphere in every corner, the jingling sound when the traffic lights turn on, or the bustling footsteps of the people around. Every weekend night, many amateur bands perform on the streets. Middle-aged artists create their own simple stage with only a microphone, a speaker and a guitar, they freely sing from modern music to songs of old Hong Kong. Young people go further, they often stand on pedestrian bridges to play music, from hip hop, beatbox to jazz... naturally among the passersby.

It is also because of the reason of “staying up late” for such a bustling nightlife that Hong Kong in the morning is a dreamy city and “wakes up” late. Walking down the street at 7am, when the sun has spread along the streets of Mongkok, the place that was so bustling last night has become a deserted street, the shops are still closed, only a few old people can be seen sitting on chairs to rest and watch the sky in the middle of the deserted street.

Leaving the modern city, going to the remote areas of Hong Kong such as Stanley Bay or Tai O fishing village, you will quickly realize the tranquility and indelible traditional beauty of the fragrant harbor. Removing the clanging crosswalks and the rumbling sound of car engines, Hong Kong is returned to a gentle, quiet atmosphere. If Stanley Bay represents the tranquility and elegance of a wealthy area with high-end apartments or beautiful garden houses, Tai O fishing village has a contemplative, simple look on each house stretching out to the shore.

Sunshine dyes every street corner

During our days exploring the pearl of Asia, we often asked ourselves, “Is the planner of Hong Kong an artist, that every street corner has such beautiful colors?” Even the subway stations are painted with countless different colors, each station has its own unique color that cannot be confused.

Considered to be the meeting place of two cultures, East and West, it is easy to see on the streets of Hong Kong the contrasting images of shops selling traditional Chinese medicine, small eateries selling dumplings and fried dough sticks, located right next to luxury shopping malls, electronics stores and a series of fast food outlets such as McDonald's, KFC... Between the buildings, you will occasionally suddenly come across small courtyards with shade and flowers, we call them "Hong Kong's happy corners". As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, setting aside a corner for a common playground is certainly not easy. These small corners are not only places for children to play, but sometimes office workers in nearby high-rise buildings also come to rest and find a quiet corner to relax.

It would be a mistake to judge the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong by looking at the shops that stretch out onto the street. When walking around Tsim Sha Tsui, I was overwhelmed when I once tried to step through the simple door, fumbled on the narrow staircase, and then the destination of my exploration was a rich world with countless bookstores, gyms, clothing stores... on the upper floors. All seemed to be hidden by the countless signs below.

Cold face and warm heart

Hong Kong, which seems arrogant and cold, welcomed me with the most sincere feelings. Perhaps if I did not talk, the Hong Kong people on the street would just pass me by coldly, they were rushing to the subway stations, rushing to work, busy with their smartphones... However, when I was struggling to find the way back to my apartment and overwhelmed by Hong Kong's "incomprehensible" house numbering, I received enthusiastic help from friendly passersby, willing to stand in the middle of the hot afternoon street, check Google map and show me the way in all the ways they could, from English, to Chinese, Cantonese and even body language.

One time, while passing by the Soho area, my friend was curious to see people setting up a very large hut with countless eye-catching votive offerings, so she stepped out and hesitantly asked what they were doing. And then, the people in the neighborhood enthusiastically explained how they were organizing a traditional Vu Lan festival.

During my 8 days in Hong Kong, I chose a homestay to rest every night. Although I lived in a very small room, for me, it was truly a chance to witness with my own eyes the difficult lives of working people in the midst of luxurious and crowded Hong Kong. Our landlord, a kind and enthusiastic middle-aged man, although he owned a row of Airbnb-style rental rooms, was not rich. He and his wife lived in a tiny room on the 9th floor of an old building. His children had to live alone in a room of only about 5 square meters, without any windows, just enough to fit a bunk bed, a table and a dish rack.

When talking about Hong Kong, people immediately think of a rich lifestyle, a modern city with shopping malls springing up everywhere. But to me, Hong Kong is simply like a girl, she has a fashionable appearance, loves excitement but deep inside her soul, she also has her own quiet moments.

More information:

+ Itinerary: Vietnam Airlines has direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong International Airport. From the airport, you can get to the city center by bus, subway or taxi.

+ Transportation: To travel in Hong Kong, you can buy an Octopus card at the airport. This multi-purpose card can be used to pay for subway tickets, bus tickets, and purchases at shopping centers. When you run out of money, you can top up to continue using it. Hong Kong taxis charge by the minute, not by the kilometer, so you should avoid taking a taxi during traffic jams.

+ Must-see attractions: The Peak, Victoria Harbour, Avenue of Stars (currently under repair and upgrading), Tai O fishing village, Soho, Wanchai areas...

+ Fun activities: Visit Ocean Park, have fun at Disneyland; see Hong Kong Island by double-decker tram; have fun at Lan Kwai Fong, watch horse racing...

+ Must-try dishes: Dimsum, spicy crab, hot fried breadsticks porridge, wonton noodles, salted egg buns, meatballs, skewers, mandarin duck tea, milk tea...

Article: Thuy An. Photos: Various sources

The Thanh