“Build a life. Not just a business.”“Xây dựng một cuộc đời. Không chỉ một sự nghiệp.”

If Làng Ký Ức is a place to stay, Hiên Cafe is the pause I want to make room for. I picture a familiar Vietnamese veranda beside the village: exposed brick, wood, greenery and open spaces welcoming daylight. Its warmth would come from ordinary things, thoughtfully cared for.

On the table might be coffee, traditional Hanoi xôi cốm, warm boiled sweet potatoes and other root vegetables, watermelon seeds and familiar Vietnamese treats. I like the thought of an open notebook beside a cup, a friend across the table, and an afternoon with no need to watch the clock.

Hiên would offer a gentle transition from the bustle outside to time with ourselves or someone beside us. Some people might come to meet a friend; others might simply sit quietly. I want to welcome both. Conversation could become thoughtful, stay light or pause without anyone needing to fill the silence. Somewhere a first visit can already feel comfortable.

Hiên Cafe remains a concept I am nurturing, not an operating café. It represents “Sit” in “Ở — Ngồi — Rỉ Rả”. If it takes shape, I hope people remember being able to sit down, feel at ease and take their time — even after the cup is empty.

I imagine Rỉ Rả as a small, welcoming place beside Hiên Cafe, for evenings when people feel like staying a little longer. Its name suggests clinking glasses, familiar laughter and one story leading to another. No special occasion is needed, just someone to share an evening with.

I picture shared tables, the aroma of grilled food, a little craft beer and a courtyard where pulling up another chair feels natural. A table might begin with a few people and grow as a friend arrives. I want warmth to come from small gestures: recognising a familiar face, making room, asking about someone’s day.

On some evenings, a few gentle acoustic songs could add to the atmosphere. Lighting, seating and music would be considered with conversation at the centre. Whether people arrive with friends or simply hope for a little company, I want them to feel comfortable without having to be more interesting than their everyday selves.

Rỉ Rả is still a concept taking shape, not an operating venue. With Làng Ký Ức and Hiên Cafe, I hope it continues “Ở — Ngồi — Rỉ Rả”: a place to stay, sit and talk. If it comes to life, perhaps another story will make someone linger just as they were about to leave.