Nhac Tranh House

About 200 meters deep in a narrow alley on Thai Thinh Street, there lies the Nhac Tranh House. According to my best knowledge, it has been around for roughly 15 years and has always been (at least since I knew the place 3 years ago) the home for many classical guitarists, violinists, and of course, their listeners.
From the outside, it is just another small apartment among many others of the complex. However, when stepping inside, it is an entirely different place. There are a few lighting candles in conners, some old posters of the Beatles on the wall, small chairs and tiny tables ect... They all brings about a warm and relaxing feeling that could hardly be found anywhere else. Staying a bit longer for a cup of fine coffee, one can gradually feel comforted with the house' well-selected collection of music, from Francis Goya to Eric Clapton to Keith Richards to Eddie Van Halen, or the Beatles, ABBA and many more. Normally, the place barely has more than 5 people at a time during daytime, or half full at night, which can make one feel having just the right amount of privacy they need. On special occasions, such as Sunday or Wednesday night, the place, including its small courtyard, would fill with people from all different ages. That is when many guitarists, violinists, song writers and musicians in general gathered around for some live music. They might play by request, or they might just play according to their own feeling. There isn't a stage to sepate the audience and the performers; and the audience might just as well be the performers. Nevertheless, during full four hours, there would be no sound in the room except for the sounds of music, or perharp sometimes the warm and soft voice of the lady who introduces performances. One song after another, one person after another, and one night after another, anybody could live in the world of classical music by simply being in this room...
I myself had several occassion to be here. My first time was three years ago, when my friend Anh Trinh, who currently studies to be a conductor at Macalester, brought me there. It was also my first time to ever listen to classical music. I was amazed. I was amazed even more when the famous song writer, Phu Quang, happenned to be there on the same day. He was the one who set the music for "Em oi Ha Noi pho", which has become familiar to every single Hanoian since the 80's. He was there with us, sharing his stories of how he was apart from Hanoi and what he felt, then singing to us his own songs. The place busted into applause when he finished. After that, he stayed around, slowly enjoyed his coffee while another guy came forward and played his guitar. To my fullest surprise, this unknown person played two songs, one of which he wrote himself, and the other he played with only one hand. Up until now, I have not seen anybody else doing as such.
After that night, I came back several times, mostly by myself, sometimes with Dat, sometimes with Hin. And one time, I came with my father. As much different of generations as he and I were, I was so happy we found a place we could enjoy time together. I remember he and I simply sat there, drank our coffee and hardly said any words. I could, however, feel the strong connection between us; it was very special. Since then, we haven't had a chance to visit the place again; but I know my father and I will, as soon as I come back to Hanoi.
That's a promise to the Nhac Tranh House, and to my father!
-nxh