(VOVWORLD) - Hanoi night cafés blend relaxation and vitality, attracting young people and others seeking social connection. These cafés are places to meet friends, listen to music, and enjoy the capital’s after-dark charm.
 Many cafés in Hanoi stay open all night. (Photo: hanoionline.vn) |
Coffee is a defining part of Hanoi culture. Across the city are hundreds of cafés —many of them now open all night. At 11 p.m., as the city begins to fall asleep, a nighttime rhythm awakens. Along the dimly lit streets, bright and lively coffee shops continue to welcome late-night visitors. These nocturnal havens have become familiar gathering spots for young people.
My Phuong and her friends of An Khanh commune come to late-night cafés to do their homework or meet a deadline for their job.
“I’ve lived in Hanoi since I was little, and I find the nighttime café atmosphere very relaxing. Since I started university and learned to manage my own time, I’ve been meeting friends at cafés to study. Nighttime is a great time to do group work,” said Phuong.
 My Phuong of An Khanh commune in Hanoi finds late-night cafés a quiet space to do homework with her friends. (Photo: hanoionline.vn) |
Night cafés are popular not only with students but also with online content creators. After the noise of the day, the comparative peacefulness of the night makes it easier to get creative. A cup of coffee, a laptop, and a bit of stillness is all it takes to spark a fresh idea.
A night café is also a good place to savor the gentler, poetic side of Hanoi. Doan Huu Hoan of Dong Ngac ward said as he thinks Hanoi’s nightlife really suits young people like me and enjoys it a lot.
“When we go for coffee, we often talk about work or relationships. Some things seem easier to share at night. Plus, late-night coffee fits the schedules of those who work during the day,” said Hoan.
 Phan Dang Truong, a waiter at a night café in Hanoi, begins his shift at 11 p.m. (Photo: hanoionline.vn) |
Many students work the night shift at a café to earn extra income. Staying awake might be hard after a day of classes, but there’s joy in the work.
Twice a week, Phan Dang Truong begins his shift at 11 p.m. at a 24-hour café downtown. He’s grown accustomed to this schedule and even enjoys it. Through his job, he meets a variety of nighttime customers and experiences a different side of Hanoi.
“Many people think a night shift is unhealthy, but it really depends on the person. The night shift is usually quiet, and the number of customers is manageable,” Truong told VOV.
Hanoi’s nighttime café culture is relatively new. After a long day of studying or working, an all-night café is a place to recharge, connect, and discover yourself.