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Hidden away in the heart of the city.
Without flashy signs or glittering lights, Dong Kinh Tea House quietly nestles on the bustling Hang Bong street. Its facade is only about a meter wide, enough for people to glance at it and then turn back, either out of curiosity or because they sense something unique. However, it is precisely this discreetness that creates its distinct charm. Stepping through the solemn wooden door and into the interior, a whole new world unfolds – quiet, classic, and full of poetry.
An old tea house with a poetic atmosphere.
The owner, Ms. Thanh Huyen, said: "We want everyone to enjoy the atmosphere in the purest way possible, sipping tea and chatting together. We hope that every guest can be themselves in every moment and create beautiful memories in Dong Kinh."
Tokyo Tea House
This place was renovated from a nearly century-old house. The space retains the spirit of traditional East Asian architecture, with panel doors, tiled roofs, old patterned floor tiles, and items reminiscent of the French colonial period. The sounds of street vendors and car horns from the outside have almost disappeared behind the thick walls and the layers of memories that remain here.
Details such as wooden doors, brown tiled roofs, patterned tile floors, and moss-covered walls evoke images of Hanoi in the early 20th century – a quiet, refined, and artistic Hanoi.
Every little corner tells a story.
In Tokyo, people don't rush to sit down. The cafe's space is divided into several areas, each corner a "layer of memory."
Right in front of the entrance, a small shrine, over a hundred years old, still stands – like the soul of the entire house. Many people, before entering the restaurant, stop to light an incense stick, as if to express their reverence for the sacred place, or simply to remind themselves to slow down and appreciate the present moment more.
The "layers of memory" in this place
Inside, the space is elaborately decorated with intricately carved wooden tables and chairs, velvet sofas, softly glowing golden chandeliers, and a carefully selected collection of antiques. Most of the decorative items were collected and arranged by a designer to vividly recreate the atmosphere of a traditional Hanoi family's home. Each ceramic vase, pendulum clock, cracked glaze tea set, or tea cabinet seems to possess a soul, telling stories of a bygone era.
The second floor houses the "Old Hanoi Living Room"—where sunlight from the balcony filters through the window bars, casting long streaks of light onto the tiled floor. This area is reserved only for guests who have made reservations, offering a more private and tranquil space. Carefully displayed paintings and ceramics are arranged not for "decoration," but to "tell a story."
Tea and the soul of Tokyo
If space is a gentle embrace, then tea in Tokyo is the very breath of this place. Tea here is not just for drinking, but for savoring, for feeling, for evoking memories. Each pot of tea is meticulously brewed, prepared correctly, and accompanied by a story about its origins and the land that gave birth to it.
Tea in Tokyo is served by the pot, with prices ranging from 60,000 to several hundred thousand dong, and even aged Pu-erh tea costing over one million dong per pot. But few people find it "expensive," because the experience here isn't about the price. It's the moment you touch the rustic, crackle-glazed ceramic teapot, smell the subtle aroma in the air, and then sip the hot tea, letting the gentle bitterness on your tongue gradually turn into a deep, lingering sweetness.
Dong Kinh Tea House is not just a commercial tea house. It regularly hosts poetry readings, cultural discussions, classical music performances, or art exhibitions, acting as a miniature "cultural salon" in the heart of the old town. This space is not just for serving tea, but also for fostering human connection, bridging the present and the past.
This place is like a small attic preserving the memories of Hanoi, not noisy or flashy, but subtle and emotional enough to captivate visitors. In the age of social media, AI, and speed, a space like this is like a "stopping point" for weary souls – a place where you can let go of the rush, listen to your own breath, and live a little slower.
