VI
EN
When young people in Hanoi revived the culture of playing vinyl records and cassette tapes.
Nestled in an alleyway off Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Hanoi, Nậu Cafe & Cassette Workshop is like a haven for music lovers, offering soothing melodies in the heart of the city. Nậu Cafe boasts a nostalgic style with its vast collection of cassette tapes and vinyl records, as well as a display area showcasing vintage, still-working record players.
Behind Nậu Cafe is a group of long-time friends, kindred spirits with a passion for vinyl records and cassette tapes. Their goal is to bring the culture of playing music back closer and more accessible to the spiritual lives of young music lovers.
Nậu Cafe & Cassette Workshop is considered a haven for music lovers.
Nậu Cafe is divided into two areas. The outdoor area is for chatting, group work, and studying. Inside, the atmosphere is vibrant, where you can chill to the music. Vinyl records are carefully preserved and regularly changed, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of unique songs. Records and cassette tapes are stored in square boxes, arranged in long rows, categorized by genre: rock, pop, rap, etc. In the corner of the room is a vinyl record player, which is especially popular on weekends, bringing joy to visitors as everyone can find something for themselves. Compared to modern music, vinyl records have a unique depth and sound. Here, guests can enjoy drinks and relax while listening to music in a nostalgic setting.
Music CDs and cassette tapes were stored in square boxes, arranged in long rows.
Many types of cassette tapes are available for visitors to choose from.
A variety of music players
In a conversation with Travellive, Mr. Dang Cuong - manager at Nau Cafe & Cassette Workshop - shared the special inspiration behind creating this unique space.
"Driven by a passion for music and a friend who collects cassette tapes, vinyl records, CDs, and other music-related items, we decided to open this establishment so that people can experience and connect with music more deeply. Enjoying music through traditional formats like cassette tapes and vinyl records provides an authentic sound experience. Guests at Nậu Cafe can try out the music player and tapes for free. In addition, we provide detailed instructions on how to use and choose tapes with genres that suit their preferences. I think that when you go to a cafe, besides enjoying drinks and services, listening to music on your own using a cassette tape is also quite enjoyable," said Mr. Dang Cuong.
According to Mr. Cuong, opening Nau Cafe was actually done in parallel with collecting tapes and CDs.
As society develops, young people have countless choices of modern music genres. However, vinyl records and cassette tapes are still considered to have depth due to their long history and distinctive sound. Listening to music on vinyl records not only helps you enjoy relaxing time, but also provides a more complete music appreciation experience.
Beyond just sound quality, the reason many people remain "addicted" to vinyl records, despite the availability of numerous convenient music players, lies in the collecting experience. Instead of simply clicking to listen to music on their phones, they enjoy going to record stores, selecting their favorite tracks, feeling the sensation of holding a physical record in their hands, and owning a tangible collection rather than just an electronic library on a mobile device.
Guests at Nậu Cafe will have the opportunity to use the music player and CDs for free.
Sitting on the sofa, sipping a cup of matcha while listening to soothing melodies.
Nậu Cafe is also an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts, with its impressive photo spots. Vinyl record cases are decorated throughout the cafe, inside and out; cassette tapes are mounted on the walls; vintage record players are displayed everywhere; and the collection of vinyl records would take at least several days to see through... This is an ideal space to work or relax with music or enjoy a rich matcha or coffee, especially if you manage to secure a seat on the sofa in the middle of the room. The cafe offers a variety of drinks from coffee, tea, matcha, cold brew... ranging from 35,000 to 65,000 VND. In the evening, the cafe also has a separate wine menu for cocktail lovers...
Besides enjoying drinks, young people also find an ideal study space and immerse themselves in melodious tunes at vinyl record cafes in the heart of the city.
The bar also has a separate wine menu, specially curated for cocktail enthusiasts...
Mr. Cuong added that he actually opened Nau Cafe alongside his collection of tapes and records. Currently, he has about 300-400 cassette tapes and over 100 vinyl records. Every weekend, there's a fixed schedule for playing vinyl records in the cafe's common area.
"Most cafes that operate this way would also sell cassette tapes and vinyl records. Our cafe, however, is the opposite; we buy and collect tapes and records to offer free of charge to everyone at the cafe, rather than selling them. We regularly maintain and replace our headphones and speakers. Even if cassette tapes aren't available, we're happy to record new ones for you to listen to the next time you visit. In my opinion, the enjoyable feeling when listening to these types of tapes and records is that you get to hold the musical product in your hands. For example, with a vinyl record, you get to touch, press the buttons, and interact with the music, experiencing and enjoying it in a truly complete way," Cường explained.
Alongside the development of the digital music market, the trend of returning to classical music formats is also gradually reviving.
A corner displaying CDs and DVDs at Nậu.
Vinyl records originated in the early days of the recording and broadcasting industry.
This is an ideal space for working or relaxing with music.
