Hue: Coffee and Birds

Hue: Coffee and Birds

While drinking coffee in the morning always makes our day, how more satisfying can it get with the sweet and serene sound of birds humming along to our morning ritual. That is what Hue offers.

Bird-raising has been a long-time hobby in Hue that it’s considered a tradition. But it wasn’t only about ten years ago that it truly spread along the locality, getting the residents into the pastime as well. The Red-whiskered Bulbul, Red-Vent, and Whiskers are among the most favorite pets among the bird-raisers because of their one-of-a-kind characteristics.

The bird owners, in their desire to exchange raising tips with the other owners, decided that a get-together would be a great idea to get all the bird lovers, as well as their pets, to converge in a single common gathering. And more importantly, so that they could compare and compete as to which bird is the best. Thus, the birth of the “coffee and birds” concept. Or more concretely, the rise of coffee shops dedicated to bird enthusiasts in Hue.

Today, Hue is filled with these “coffee with birds” coffee shops, specifically along the North and South banks of the Huong (Perfume) River. But they are not the typical commercial cafes with modern furniture, elegant designs, and expensive food. Rather, they are simple shops with trees and canopies purposely designed with bird cage hangers while the owners can restfully socialize. Of course, the shops are not exclusive for the bird-raisers. Anyone can come and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Office workers, students, and senior citizens, among others, regularly visit these shops to drink coffee and/ or simply relax. A cup of coffee costs about VND6,000.

The coffee shop owned by Nguyen Duc Duong on Le Thanh Ton Street is one of the most popular “coffee with birds” shop in Hue. It has been operating for only four months but about 60-70 guests arrive at the shop in the morning alone. It was popular and lucky enough to be chosen to host the first-ever national competitive festival of the Red-whiskered Bulbul last April 27. Another famous coffee shop of the same theme is one owned by Le Phuoc Cao Nguyen on Xuan 68 Street. Around 30-40 bird cages are brought to his place every day. He opened the establishment in the first place because he himself is a bird owner and gives him additional income at the same time. Other well-known “coffee with birds” shops in Hue are: Anh Na coffee shop in Dinh Tien Hoang Street; Cat Dang in Le Huan Street; bird club coffee shop in La Thanh Ton Street; and several coffee shops along Tinh Tam Lake.

A good quality Red-whiskered Bulbul is one with the following characteristics: a long body from head to tail; long legs; long and straight tail feathers; dense crest; move quickly but gracefully; and a good voice, which means that it should sing louder than the other birds of the same kind. Bird-raising, particularly of the Red-whiskered Bulbul, has now spread to other parts of Vietnam. But Hue will remain to be the pioneer and center of this delicately beautiful hobby.