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Amidst the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, luxurious seating and elaborate, time-consuming drinks seem like a distant dream. The presence of iced tea on the sidewalk has gradually become ingrained in the minds of Hanoians. So much so that it has become a street culture, with the sidewalk being the preferred seating option among all choices.
For the people of Hanoi, iced tea on the sidewalk is an indispensable part of life; it has become a regular habit that creates a unique aspect of their popular culture.
The cafes are so luxurious, and the drinks are so elaborate and expensive that it's difficult for anyone to strike up a conversation or order another drink.
But iced tea is different. You don't need to dress up elaborately when going for iced tea. The people sitting there can be anyone from office workers to laborers, or anyone at all. There's no comparison here; sometimes you can even make friends through a few conversations.
A glass of iced tea for a Hanoi autumn day.
Having the opportunity to visit a roadside tea stall in a prime location at 8 Hang Bun Street, the simple yet inviting setting immediately made me want to stop. My friend and I ordered two glasses of iced tea, enjoyed a plate of sunflower seeds, and chatted with the owner.
He recounted, "There are so many customers here, every single day. Rain or shine, they still stop by. Selling iced tea is easy, fun, and provides a decent income. Every customer sitting here has a story to tell. And it's not just Vietnamese customers; there are plenty of Western tourists who come here to enjoy a drink just like the locals."
Sitting and enjoying iced tea isn't just about having fun and drinking. Over a glass of iced tea, people share all sorts of stories. Sidewalk iced tea carries within it the joys, sorrows, loves, and hates of countless people in the city. In those moments, they seem to gradually forget all the pressures and stresses of life.
The burdens of urban life, for both host and guest, gradually fade away in a cup of tea. Tired? A glass of iced tea. Too cold? A cup of hot tea. And so the conversation continues, year-round, through all four seasons.
Simple as it may seem, the habit of drinking iced tea on the sidewalk evokes nostalgia for those who are far from the capital.
No one knows exactly when or where sidewalk iced tea originated, but anyone who has lived in the capital city has probably drunk at least one glass. In Hanoi, you can step out of your house and find an iced tea stall everywhere. You can find them on every street and even deep in the alleys. Just a few low plastic chairs, a set of cups and saucers, a teapot, and a plate of sunflower seeds are enough for a long chat.
No matter the season, these roadside tea stalls are always a hit. They don't offer fancy drinks; just iced tea, herbal tea, sour plum tea, a few peanut candies, a plate of sunflower seeds, and a traditional pipe – simple, down-to-earth things amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Iced tea is considered the cheapest and most readily available drink in Hanoi, costing only 3,000 or 5,000 dong. Because of this, people don't hesitate to order a second or third glass. The sweetness of peanut candy, the pungent taste of tobacco, and the bitterness of the iced tea all blend together, making it a perfect drink to sip while chatting endlessly.
Regardless of gender, occupation, or age, sidewalk iced tea caters to the needs of all segments of the population.
The vendors selling iced tea are as diverse as their customers. They can be young people or elderly retirees with plenty of free time. Selling iced tea doesn't require much capital investment. Iced tea stalls in the capital never have any unique characteristics, yet some are bustling with customers, while others are sparsely populated, barely earning enough for the owner to make ends meet.
Time has passed, and sidewalk iced tea has become an indispensable part of life for the people here. Everyone accepts its presence and always seeks it out as a way to relax after stressful working hours. A very ordinary tea stall, nothing particularly special or outstanding, yet it has become an essential part of life for the people of Hanoi. And when they have to leave this place, the habit of sidewalk iced tea becomes a cherished memory in this land of a thousand years of culture.
It doesn't have to be anything fancy or extravagant; even a simple glass of iced tea at a roadside stall has become a unique characteristic of Hanoi.
Although more and more shops and stalls are popping up everywhere, sidewalk iced tea still holds a special appeal for both Hanoi residents and tourists. This alone shows how deeply ingrained this culture is in the hearts of so many people in Hanoi.
