COMM2692_ASN02_LeMinhTung_S3924445_01

NIGHTYNIGHT
99 by Vietcera
The things you might not know about Hanoi’s night
Hanoi’s Nightlife
Volume 8, Issue 6 December, 2021

CONTENTS
04
06
08
10
Photo by Chi Do
Hanoi - a multidimensional
city
The Hanoian by
Night
Have a closer look
at the night workers
with a security guard!
Hanoi weeknight
meals
INTRODUCTION
“Hanoi is the most beautiful at night”
This is a line from a well-known Hanoi song that every Hanoian is familiar with. When darkness falls, this city is
torn between two feelings. Some people will be pleased because this is the time of year when they can unwind,
spend time with family, or go out with friends. Besides, many people begin working late at night and will most
likely continue through the night, which is referred to as “labor beauty .” Those beautiful people have contributed to
the creation of lovely Hanoi nightscapes. Many people were fluttering and moved by Hanoi’s splendor at night. There
are streets and typical places that have made Hanoi become known. Hanoi has its own unique places, people, as well as
its traditional cuisine.
Vietcetera aspires to give readers a unique picture of Hanoi at night with Nightynight Magazine, a view that is not
just restricted to a specific angle but also a diverse view of various characteristics of a particular period of time. This
includes everything from the scenery, the people to the culinary culture.
- Nightynight Team -
Photo by Anh Nguyen
MEMBERS
Le Minh Tung
s3924445
Graphic Designer
Photographer
Content Editor
Do Thuy Chi
s3925937
Content Writer
Photographer
Vu Hong Ngoc
s3926382
Content Writer
Photographer
Nguyen Hoang Phuong Anh
s3924318
Content Writer
Photographer
02 - Nightynight Nightynight - 03

Hanoi
a multidimensional
city
Content by Ngoc Vu
Photo by Tung Le
The overall vibe and scenery of Hanoi have always been so
alluring, despite the time of the day. However, the opposition
between the daytime and the nighttime is exceptionally
transparent. If you have only been active in the hustle and bustle
morning, you will be surprised to find out how idyllic and antique
late night in Hanoi is. When the sun goes down, and the street lights
are on, that’s when Hanoi appears to be more authentic than ever.
Therefore, late-night is the ideal moment to capture the city’s true
beauty. Due to the COVID-19, engaging in the activities that are about
to be recommended is impossible. Nevertheless, from my point of
view as a local, there are two places that are the most worthy of
visiting right after the pandemic is over.
Hanoi Old Quarter - ancient but not obsolete
The importance of heritage assets such as the Ancient Quarter and
Hoan Kiem Lake are vital not only to the city’s cultural heritage but
also to the maintenance of international tourism (van Horen, B 2005).
Despite being composed of thousand-year-old streets with colonial
architecture dating back to the 1870s (Minh, V 2019), Hanoi Old
Quarter has still managed to be a popular hangout for young people.
Located in the center of the city and famous for small and narrow
streets, it is suggested that you use a motorbike, bike or simply just
walk if you want your visiting experience to be the most convenient.
If you enjoy exploring Vietnamese cuisine, then Ta Hien Street is not
a place to be missed. A large gathering is not authorized because of
the COVID-19 restrictions; nonetheless, after the epidemic is ended,
food sellers and coffee shops will reopen, allowing you to experience
the excellence of Vietnamese cuisine and signature drinks. After
a satisfying meal, a trip to the walking streets around Hoan Kiem
Lake is strongly suggested. Taking a walk along these streets is the
fastest way for you to be engaged in Vietnamese culture since you
will be exposed to abundant aspects of the culture such as the games,
traditional music or dance, and the list goes on. Nevertheless, walking
streets is the place where everyone who enters can be a performer;
thus, chances that you are able to see your own culture being
embodied or you can even be a performer yourself!
Minh, V 2019, ‘Hanoi Old Quarter – what still remains of an Ancient Hanoi’, Indochina Voyages, blog post, viewed 28 December 2021
<https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/hanoi-old-quarter-remains-ancient-hanoi>.
van Horen, B 2005, ‘Hanoi’, Cities, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 161-173, viewed 28 December 2021, ScienceDirect database.
Long Bien Bridge - a startling romantic crossover
Long Bien Bridge is one of the most significant landmarks in Vietnam as it is a
big part of history and culture (Ha T, 2020). Built by the French colonialists in
1903, Long Bien Bridge became the first steel bridge to cross the Red River and
nowadays a connection between districts (Historicbridges.org, 2018). Therefore,
this bridge has not only witnessed but also experienced the transmission of
Vietnamese ancestors’ hardships from generation to generation. It is now one of
the most popular places in Hanoi at night, especially during winter, as the city is
notorious for its dog days.
The best way to enjoy your sightseeing in Long Bien Bridge is to stand on the
side or bottom for a panoramic view or walk along the bridge to see the old
infrastructure. This place generates a romantic atmosphere at night; hence
taking your significant other to Long Bien Bridge is not a terrible option. You
two can have a heart-to-heart conversation while walking along the bridge, then
together enjoy the sunrise and Hanoi’s breezy morning. Long Bien Bridge is also
a go-to destination if you are fond of photography since the landscape and the
overall atmosphere is picturesque and worth capturing. I promise you will not
be disappointed even if you are a casual visitor looking for a stunning photo to
retain as a memory.
To sum up everything, Hanoi can be seen as a mansion with a view, a city that not
only is eye-catching but also soulful and nostalgic.
Historicbridges.org 2018, ‘Cầu Long Biên (Long Bien Bridge)’, Historicbridges.org, viewed 28 December 2021, <https://historicbridges.org/
bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=vietnam/longbienbridge/>.
Ha, T 2020, ‘Long Bien Bridge: Symbol Of Hanoi Culture & History’, Expatolife, viewed 28 December 2021, <https://www.expatolife.com/longbien-bridge-hanoi-vietnam/>.
04 - Nightynight Nightynight - 05

The Hanoian
by Night
One other side of Hanoi is about the
workers who work at the construction
site. They often wear orange jackets,
highlighted by neon stripes for safety,
and rubber boots to step on mud or
cement. Masks are always on their
face and the sound of loud machines
working shows how they focus on
their shift. No one talks to each other
because they want to finish their job as
soon as the night is over.
From far away, the sound of people
chatting with each other echoes back.
Hanoians seem to enjoy hanging out at
cafes or restaurants after a long day of
intensive hours. It sounds very typical,
but people of Hanoi love to sit down
and have pleasant conversations with
their friends. Their expressions when
having a cup of tea or a Pho bowl at
night seem pleasing and comfortable.
Outsiders might think it’s normal,
but Hanoians appreciate these gentle
moments. Nothing can compare to
relaxing time with their loved ones
after an exhausted day at work.
Hanoi often puts up a ‘sad look’ when
the night arrives. ‘The calm before
the storm’ is what it feels like when
wandering through ancient streets in
Hanoi under the stars. As I mentioned
before, the moon shines as clear as
silver at midnight, especially in the
middle of the month. Late at night, a
couple walks side by side and holds
hands, giving each other warm kisses
during the freezy air of winter. It is
common for Hanoian love birds to do
this in all four seasons. People often
walk with their loved ones under the
sky, with poetic scenery in Hanoi, and
talk about anything.
We are all driven by the busyness in
our life. We often forget how to take
a step back and slow down. We lose
track of time and forget to spend
quality time for ourselves and our
loved ones. Day in, day out, Hanoians
learn to live in this peaceful city by
enjoying the romantic moments for
themselves. It shows that this city is
the place that’s worth living in, and
it is crucial to take a deep breath
before turning into busy bees
again.
“Hanoi people” is not
only a concept, a type
of person, a beautiful
precious memory, but
also a symbol of Hanoi
today.
Content by Chi Do
Photo by Tung Le & Ngoc Vu
When people first think about Hanoi,
Hanoians often appear with gracious,
elegant visuals. The most apparent
manifestation is that they are
complemented as gourmets and have
exquisite taste in their lifestyles. They look
confident and filled with energy in the
daylight. Nevertheless, only a few know that
Hanoi has another character behind all the
glamorous appearance when the sun goes
down.
The moment the sky turns dark, life in Hanoi seems
different. The moon is up, the air is cold, and the
silence becomes more apparent than ever. Dining
owners and street vendors are working hard during the
night shift. However, they are all hospitable, and despite
demanding challenges, bright smiles are always on their
faces. They say ‘Hi’ to every customer who waves them
‘Goodbye’ when they finish eating. The diligence and
hard work can be easily seen on their wet shirts or many
moments that they wipe away their sweat. From roaster
carts to Pho small vendors, the smell of delicious food is
in the air and makes people crave more.
When there is no one, dining owners talk to each other
and complain about what’s going on in their lives, feeling
sleepy, or even their children are getting married next
month. The remarkable thing is, they might be strangers
at first, nevertheless, their difficulties and shared
experiences over time have formed an unbreakable bond
between these people that obtained them the sympathy
and friendship they needed.
Different people with various activities
in the night.
06 - Nightynight Nightynight - 07

Q1: How long have you been
doing this job?
I have been doing this for more
than 3 years now. Before this
job, I used to have a small street
restaurant. However, the business
was not profitable, so I decided to
close it and found a more stable
job.
Q2: May I ask about your
daily tasks? And also, has the
workload ever been a burden to
you?
My shift starts at 23 PM and ends
at 6 AM every day. My job entails
directing traffic into and out of the
parking lot, as well as preventing
vehicles from traveling in the
opposite direction. Additionally,
I will go around the facility at 12
AM to patrol susceptible areas,
check electrical equipment, and
monitor security cameras to
ensure that no incident or loss
occurs. Perhaps because of my
strong commitment to my work, I
do not seem to be exhausted.
Q3: Are you afraid that you
might encounter hardship or
danger while working?
When I sign up for this job and
this shift, I am well aware of all
the risks and potential hazard
situations. However, nothing too
serious has ever occurred, and I’m
extremely grateful for that, but
the thought of it still sometimes
makes my blood run cold.
Q4: Wow that’s terrifying for
sure. Have you ever wanted to
quit?
Not even a bit. I am attached and
absolutely adore this job with
all my heart. Besides having a
stable job allowing me to earn
some money to take care of my
small family, I also have a chance
to meet many friendly residents
here; therefore, I guess that its joy
outweighs all the adversities.
Have a closer
look at the
night workers
through a
security
guard
Content by Ngoc Vu
Photo by Anh Nguyen
For most of us, the arrival of nightfall
signifies the conclusion of a long,
exhausting day at work or school, but for
night laborers, the day doesn’t begin until
the first signs of darkness appear.In this
section,we will elaborate on the life of Mr.
Hien - a 53-year-old gray-collar worker who
is a security guard of a condominium to get
a subjective perspective.
Mr. Hien kept smiling during
the interview and answered
all the questions positively,
which really impressed us.
We are so lucky to have a chance to
talk to Mr. Hien, hear his story, and
receive his positive energy.
Through just a 15-minute conversation
with Mr. Hien, we were enlightened with
many interesting things about his job
and his feeling when working nighttime.
Maybe most of us rarely talk to the
night workers like him and can’t fully
understand them, but the indisputable
fact is they are so friendly and hardworking.
Instead of complaining about
their tiredness, they always are cheerful
and feel free to share their stories.
Even though they keep smiling, those
smiles might not hide their exhaustion.
However, they still believe in a bright
future. The night workers not only
work for themselves and their families
but also contribute to a colorful Hanoi
night, making this time more unique and
exciting to everyone.
Q5: Thank you so much for your
participation. Lastly, do you have
any last words for our readers,
especially young folks?
Well, I guess I would say enjoy
your youth but at the same time
work hard and be persistent to
achieve your dreams and goals in
life. Most importantly, treat people
around you with kindness and
respect.
08 - Nightynight Nightynight - 09

Hanoi
weeknight
meals
Content by Anh Nguyen
Photo by Chi Do
When the night falls, Hanoi culinary culture comes alive, and a
variety of typical food begins to appear on the streets. Nothing
can be better than ending a day with hot street food since winter
is coming.
‘‘NGO NUONG’’
Grilled corn is a small heartwarming gift
of Hanoi, extremely simple yet appealing
street food for folks walking down the
street on a cold winter night. For a cold
winter day, the aroma of grilled corn
maize wafts through Hanoi’s streets will
hypnotize who passes by. People love
grilled corn because of its original flavor
and the seller’s charcoal grilling skills.
The surface of the corn is crispy, while
the inside is mushy, making it difficult to
refuse.
Mỳ vằn thắn has been a major part of Hanoi cuisine,
which is unique to the city. Eating a bowl of Mỳ vằn thắn
at night is a simple yet magical culture within Hanoi
city. The fundamental ingredients that make this dish so
famous in Hanoi’s cold night are fresh yellow noodles,
sweet broth, char siu beef, dumplings, and pork liver.
Enjoying the hot soup in a bowl of noodles to feel the
warmth, charming smell and amazing taste is all that
Hanoians need to chase the cold night.
‘‘MY VAN THAN’’
Photo by Tung Le
10 - Nightynight Nightynight - 11

‘‘Khi chìm sâu vào giấc mộng đêm,
một cánh cửa Hà Nội mới thực sự
bắt đầu – một Hà Nội rất khác.’’
(A whole new Hanoi starts when you walk into the
depths of a night’s dream.)
- Vo Thuong -
Nightynight Magazine
Volume 8, Issue 6, December 2021.
521 Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Copyright © 2021 RMIT University Vietnam.
Vo, T 2020, ‘Cap Về Hà Nội, Những Câu STT Hay Về Hà Nội “gây
thương nhớ.”’, NEU, viewed 7 January 2022, <https://neu.com.
vn/cap-ve-ha-noi>.
Photo by Chi Do