Hanoi is saying goodbye to a familiar name—Hàm Cá Mập. Once just a quiet part of the city’s backdrop, it has now become a symbol of nostalgia. And while many are looking back, maybe it’s also the right time to start seeing Hanoi with fresh eyes.
These days, crowds are gathering around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, hoping to catch one last glimpse of Hàm Cá Mập before it’s gone. For years, it stood quietly as a familiar part of the city’s landscape — nothing too remarkable, just always there. But now, knowing it won’t be around much longer, people are flocking to it like it’s the newest attraction in town. Funny how something so ordinary can suddenly feel so important, simply because we’re about to lose it.
More than just a building, Hàm Cá Mập is a piece of Hanoi’s story. Perched at one of the city’s busiest crossroads, it has quietly observed the daily rhythm of life—from early mornings when the lake is still wrapped in mist, to the lively buzz of weekend nights on the walking street. It has seen Hanoi change, grow, and move forward, all while standing still. Now, as it prepares to step aside for something new, people are coming back to it—not just for a photo, but to remember. To say goodbye. Because in a city that’s always changing, it’s the familiar things we miss the most.
Hàm Cá Mập may be on its way out, but Hanoi is still here—waiting to be seen through fresh eyes. Instead of just looking back, maybe it’s time to rediscover the city. Start your morning with a cup of egg coffee at Giảng, where every sip carries a taste of Hanoi’s heritage. Take a slow walk down Hàng Mã, where bright lanterns and bold colors light up the streets all year round. Join the line at Phở Bát Đàn, where tradition is served steaming hot, no shortcuts, no compromises. Then step inside the old house at 87 Mã Mây—a quiet, well-kept reminder of the Hanoi that once was.
Landmarks may come and go, but Hanoi remains—full of stories, hidden corners, and fleeting moments waiting to be lived. Sometimes, it takes saying goodbye to something familiar to truly see what else has been here all along.