When young people in Hanoi revive the culture of playing vinyl records and cassette tapes
Going into the alley to find a hidden cafe in Hoang Hoa Tham, Hanoi, Nau Cafe & Cassette Workshop is considered a shelter for music lovers with melodious tunes in the heart of the city. Nau Cafe has a nostalgic style with a cassette tape deck and a giant vinyl record shelf or a corner displaying old record players that still work.
Behind Nau Cafe is a group of friends who have been playing together for a long time, like-minded souls with a passion for vinyl records and cassette tapes. Bringing the culture of playing music records back closer and more popular in the spiritual life of young music lovers.
Nau Cafe & Cassette Workshop is considered a shelter for music enthusiasts.
The space of Nau Cafe is divided into 2 areas. The outside area is for chatting, working in groups, studying. Inside is a vibrant atmosphere, where you can chill to each melody of music. The vinyl records are carefully preserved and regularly changed, helping visitors enjoy many unique songs. Music records and cassette tapes are stored in square boxes, arranged in long rows, classified by genre: rock, pop, rap... Placed in the corner of the room is a vinyl record player, a very attractive weekend activity and brings a lot of joy to visitors because everyone can find something for themselves. Compared to modern music, vinyl records have a very unique depth and sound. Coming here, visitors can enjoy drinks and relax listening to music in a nostalgic space.
Music discs and cassette tapes are contained in square boxes, arranged in long rows.
Many types of cassette tapes for visitors to choose from
Variety of music players
Talking to Travellive, Mr. Dang Cuong - manager at Nau Cafe & Cassette Workshop shared about the special inspiration to create this unique space.
"Based on our passion for music and with a friend who specializes in collecting cassette tapes, vinyl records, CDs, and music-related items, we decided to open this model so that people can experience and connect with music more deeply. Enjoying music through traditional formats such as cassette tapes and vinyl records will bring a realistic sound experience. Guests coming to Nau Cafe will experience free use of music players and tapes. In addition, we also provide detailed instructions for customers on how to use and choose tapes with music genres that suit them. I think when coming to a coffee shop, in addition to enjoying drinks and services, listening to music on cassette tapes is also quite interesting," said Mr. Dang Cuong.
Mr. Cuong said that he actually opened Nau Cafe in parallel with collecting tapes and discs.
As society develops, young people have countless choices of modern music. However, vinyl records and cassette tapes are still considered to be a type of music with depth because of its long history and unique sound. Listening to music with vinyl records not only helps you enjoy relaxing time, but also brings a more complete music experience.
Not only the sound quality, the reason why vinyl records are still "addicted" to many people despite the availability of many convenient music listening tools lies in the experience of collecting. Instead of just needing a click to listen to music on the phone, they enjoy going to the record store, choosing their favorite songs, feeling the feeling of holding the record in their hands and owning a tangible collection instead of just an electronic library on their mobile devices.
Guests coming to Nau Cafe will experience free use of music players and CDs.
Sitting on the sofa, sipping matcha to the melodious tunes
Nau Cafe is also an ideal destination for those who love taking photos with impressive angles. Vinyl record covers are decorated in every corner from the inside out of the shop, cassette tapes are mounted on the wall, old music players are displayed everywhere, the vinyl record collection will probably take at least a few days to see all of it... This is an ideal space to work or relax with music or enjoy a cup of matcha, strong coffee, especially if you get a seat on the sofa in the middle of the room. The shop has a variety of drinks from coffee, tea, matcha, cold brew... from 35,000 - 65,000 VND. At night, the shop also has a separate wine menu served specifically for cocktail enthusiasts...
Not only enjoying drinks, young people also find an ideal space to study and immerse themselves in melodious tunes at a vinyl record cafe in the heart of the city.
The restaurant also has a separate wine menu for cocktail enthusiasts...
Mr. Cuong added that he actually opened Nau Cafe in parallel with collecting tapes and discs. Currently, he has about 300 - 400 cassette tapes and more than 100 vinyl records. On weekends, there will be a fixed schedule for playing vinyl records for the common space of the whole shop.
"Most coffee shops that open this model will sell cassette tapes and vinyl records. But our shop is the opposite, we buy and collect tapes and discs to serve for free to everyone at the shop, not for sale. We will regularly replace the maintenance of headphones and speakers. Even if the cassette tapes are not available at the shop, we are ready to record new discs for you to listen to next time. In my opinion, when listening to these types of tapes and discs, the interesting feeling is that you can hold the music product in your hand. For example, when listening to a vinyl record, you will be able to rub, press buttons and act, experience and enjoy the music in a truly complete way," said Mr. Cuong.
Along with the development of the digital music market, the trend of returning to classical music formats is also gradually reviving.
A corner of the CD display at Nau
Vinyl records have their origins in the early days of the recording and broadcasting industry.
This is an ideal space to work or relax with music.
