Paris, seasons of love falling on the streets.

Vu Manh, a 27-year-old man living, studying, and working in Berlin, has harbored this dream since his late teens and early twenties. While Paris was just a vague goal in his youth, it has now left its mark on his memory through the passing seasons, quiet moments, and the feeling of being a part of this place.

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Manh has been to Paris twice. The first time was in autumn – the streets were covered with golden leaves like something out of a classic postcard, and more recently in spring – when Paris was enveloped in a light mist and flowers bloomed on the balconies of ancient buildings. "For me, Paris always has its own unique beauty in every season, rain or shine, or under any circumstances. It's very special," Manh shared.

He vividly remembers the first time he saw the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro Square – a vast open space from which the iconic tower rose majestically. “At that moment, I just thought to myself: ‘This is what a dream come true looks like,’” Mạnh recounted. Even though he had seen the tower in hundreds of photos, the moment of actually standing before it still made the traveler's heart beat a few extra beats.

If his first trip to Paris was a typical exploratory journey for any tourist: visiting famous landmarks and marveling at each heritage site, then on his second trip, Mạnh chose to live like a local. He stayed in a charming little studio on Rue Saint-Honoré, just a few hundred meters from the Louvre Museum. There, amidst the bustling Parisians, the rhythm of daily life unfolded more vividly than any tourist map. “I wasn’t in a rush to check in. I simply lived with the smallest things – like going to the Sunday morning market, immersing myself in the lively atmosphere, and feeling the true pulse of the city,” he recounted.

Paris is more than just the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, or the Champs-Élysées. It's also about wide-open windows overlooking cobblestone streets, the lingering aroma of coffee in the morning, hot escargots with a glass of white wine, or a crispy croissant quickly eaten on the way to the metro station. "I love escargots and croissants. They're delicious, and you can find them almost anywhere in Paris," Mạnh shared, adding that these culinary experiences are an essential part of every trip.

However, to fully enjoy Paris, according to Mạnh, you should dedicate at least five days. The first three days can be spent exploring famous landmarks, and the remaining two days simply for slowing down. Take a walk in a nearby park, stop by a small roadside eatery, or simply sit and read a book by the Seine River. Then, Paris will appear not as a glamorous postcard, but as a vibrant, gentle, and very real city.

However, like any other major city, Paris also has its dark side. “Paris is beautiful, but it’s not entirely free of scams. It’s best to avoid contact with strangers too much, and be careful with your personal belongings, especially when riding the subway,” Mạnh shared his experience.

Another tip he recommends: travel by metro – the underground transport system covers all of Paris and is extremely convenient. Tickets can be purchased online via the IDF Mobilités app, which is very easy to use, provides complete information, and saves time.

When asked what makes Paris so special, Mạnh just smiled lightly: "I don't know why, but simply because it's Paris." Perhaps, no specific reason is needed. Paris, in itself, is an emotion.

For Mạnh, this city was once a dream, something distant that people yearn for when they are young. Now, Paris has become a part of his life, of his glorious years. "It's the city of love, where I have the opportunity to live and experience it, because I am also in love," he says.

Ha Mai Trinh