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Rustic café amidst rice fields draws visitors to Hanoi outskirts

Tuesday, June 04, 2024, 10:28 GMT+7
Rustic café amidst rice fields draws visitors to Hanoi outskirts
A family relaxes at a rustic café amid rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

A café with only a few palm leaf-roofed huts, nestled amidst fragrant paddy fields on the outskirts of Hanoi, has attracted numerous visitors, especially during the ripe rice season, offering a unique experience distinct from the usual air-conditioned coffee joints.

Situated at the foot of Tram Mountain, the coffee shop boasting scenic rice field views in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi has become a hotspot among the capital city’s youth. 

Introduced to this unique café via social media photos, Nhat Linh, from Tay Ho District, Hanoi, embarked on a midday excursion to the suburban rice fields in Chuong My, resulting in an unexpectedly enriching experience.

“The atmosphere here feels incredibly nostalgic,” shared Nhat Linh. 

“It brings back memories of my childhood, chasing after the threshing machine to leap onto straw piles. 

“I recall the delightful aroma of freshly harvested rice as I traversed fields where villagers dried their crops along the roadside.

“Occasionally venturing to the outskirts to reconnect with simplicity and familiarity is truly delightful. 

A bike parked amid the rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

A bike parked amid rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

“In particular, navigating through the village’s narrow alleyways, witnessing elderly women engaging in afternoon conversations bathed in the tranquil light, offers a stark contrast to the city’s noise and bustle.”

As an avid explorer, Pham Ngoc Tram Anh, the owner of the café, was greatly inspired by café setups amidst rice fields in Indonesia’s Bali, Thailand, and iconic Vietnamese locales like Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Serendipitously cycling with her family through the rice fields of Phuong Ban Village in Phung Chau Commune one sunset afternoon, Tram Anh was captivated by the picturesque scenery and resolved to share its charm with others. 

Thus, the concept of a café nestled amidst rice fields was conceived.

A woman poses for a photo at a rustic café amid the rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

A woman poses for a photo at a rustic café amid rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

Situated on approximately 1,800 square meters of rice fields within the village, this café comprises five palm leaf-roofed huts, devoid of air conditioning but fully immersed in nature. 

Over time, this unique coffee shop has witnessed three rice harvests.

The surrounding landscape undergoes a transformation with each rice crop cycle of the Phuong Ban villagers. 

From the glistening water season, where the fields resemble mirrors, to the period of tender green shoots and eventually the ripening rice, the scenery evolves.

A woman poses for a photo at a rustic café amid the rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

A woman poses for a photo at a rustic café amid rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

By late May and early June, the entire rice field transitions from lush green to golden yellow, marking the onset of the harvest season. 

Those fortunate enough to visit the café during this time can partake in rice harvesting alongside locals and savor the delightful aroma of freshly harvested rice.

“Upon a friend’s recommendation, I visited this place and was pleasantly surprised by its charm and comfort,” said Quynh Nga, a visitor from Dong Da District. 

“Despite the café’s bustling vibes, the well-spaced huts, connected by wooden pathways amidst the rice fields, offer ample relaxation.

An antique plow, harrow, and threshing machine are on display at a rustic café amid the rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

An antique plow, harrow, and threshing machine are on display at a rustic café amid rice fields in Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

“Beyond serving as a healing destination for the soul, this venue also doubles as a photo-worthy spot, adorned with the soothing green hues of the rice fields and boasting breathtaking sunsets.”

In addition to its serene natural beauty, Chuong My District boasts various captivating landscapes and historical sites, including Tram Mountain, Vo Vi Pagoda, Tram Gian Pagoda, and So Communal House. 

Visitors can craft personalized itineraries to explore this culturally rich region on a single-day cycling tour.

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Bao Anh - Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre News

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