There was no hurry or impatience on the faces of the man and woman sitting in their chairs looking at their phones, just the stillness of being theren

People relaxing in front of a store
People relaxing in front of a store

While wandering through the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, I kept finding myself stopping in my tracks. The contrast was just too striking sometimes. One shop would be a trendy little café clearly set up for tourists—Western-style benches, English menus, the works. And right next to it? A local herb and dried goods store, looking like it hadn’t changed in decades.

Shelves were packed with bags of dried herbs and spices, and from the ceiling, more bags dangled like decorations. It all felt kind of chaotic, but in a comforting way. Everything was labeled in Vietnamese, of course. No English signs, no explanations—this place wasn’t trying to explain itself.

Out front, an older couple sat side by side, both quietly scrolling on their phones. They didn’t seem rushed or stressed. They were just... there. Not trying to pull in customers, not slacking off either—just letting the day pass. If someone stopped to buy something, great. If not, that was fine too.

It’s easy to call this kind of place “local,” but honestly, the line between “tourist spot” and “everyday life” is pretty blurry. It’s not about who it’s for, really — it’s about the pace. Tourist shops are about putting on a show. These shops? They’re just about living.

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日本語
Jun 2025 IN THE CITY VIETNAM

PHOTO DATA

No

12867

Shooting Date

Mar 2025

Posted On

June 23, 2025

Place

Hanoi, Vietnam

Genre

Street Photography

Camera

SONY ALPHA 7R V

Lens

ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF

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