I love Hanoi, but only in the winters (Vietnam)

Some of my favorite places to hang out in Hanoi: Click on the names for the Google map location.

Xofa cafe
 👉 https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Xofa+Cafe,+Hanoi
 Not too far from the downtown tourist area, a good place to observe what the local young folks are up to. There are other pretty cafes along the lane.

The Slavic Tea House
 👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z66t39oNxGN1sHEs8
 Located near the touristy area adjacent to the larger Hồ Tây (West Lake). They serve Eastern European desserts. My wife loves this place—she can pretend she’s back in the Slavic lands for a little while.

Bluebirds Nest
 👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/qCWjKzhe5o7tsmUw5
 We sometimes hold meetups here. Another cozy cafe near Hồ Tây—quiet, inviting, with a neighborhood vibe.

Bookworm Hanoi
 👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/czHpr5N8DSmz97ok8
 Many years ago, this is where I met the reader. The bookshop has since moved a couple of alleys down. Still well-stocked, and there’s a small café downstairs.

Jazzy Café
 👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/L2jNcj646VcLh3Y8A
 These days, I stay in the Japanese quarter in Ba Đình, near the Australian Embassy—no tourists, calmer atmosphere. At night, the little Japanese bars here come alive. Jazzy Café is on the top floor of a high-rise and has a nice view.

Complex 01
 👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/B8eswhRzRNsvvoFEA
 Not as organic as the erstwhile Zone 09, but still a good place to explore what the local youth are up to. Several cafes line this creative space. Worth a stroll.

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Besides these, I often just wander into a random neighborhood and use Google Maps to find nearby cafes. The reviews usually tell me something about the place’s character—and the cafes are always welcoming.

I saw some sharp-looking kids walking along, pausing at a street vendor granny. They didn’t buy anything but looked genuinely enthralled by her tales.

It reminded me of a tribute to Hanoi from a Chinese writer a decade ago:  

A city of spreading banyan trees along the streets, dilapidated government buildings, and vendors who do not have to run at rumors of the approach of *chengguan* (urban management) officials.  

Strangely, when our landscape becomes dominated by high-rises, boulevards, expansive squares, landmarks, manicured lawns, and neon lights, we become a bit nostalgic for the unpretentious old city—where children could safely mingle in the neighborhood, vendors could hawk their wares loud and clear in the side lanes, and streets were shaded by the canopy of plane trees.”