Hao Sy Phuong: Story of a 100-year-old alley in HCMC
If alleys make Hanoi, then Saigon is made up of very separate alleys. Each Saigon's alley carries a unique culture. Hao Sy Phuong is one of the alleys bringing the identity of the Chinese community living in Cho Lon. For over 100 years, the alley is no longer a place of living but has become a cultural mark of the Chinese community in Saigon.
Perhaps many people feel strange and curious with the name Hao Sy Phuong and the formation of the alley. There are many explanations for this particular name. Most people explain that Hao is taken from the word "Hao Hiep" (which mean chivalrous), Sy in "Van Sy" (the writer), Phuong is the custom of the Chinese "buon co ban, ban co Phuong" (means when doing business, you need support from the team). That leads to the meaning that chivalry and literature are the characteristics creating this alley.
According to some other studies, the name Hao Sy Phuong comes from the occupation of residents in the alley. Under French colonialism, the French had facilitated the Chinese community to comfortably build Cho Lon area in their traditional way of life, as long as they did not make a big difference to the indigenous culture.
Despite it is explained in any way, Hao Sy Phuong has remained the same for more than 100 years. Time seems to fly more slowly. People enjoy life without hurry, no smoke, no noise, regardless of just a few steps from the road.
Some Chinese melodies slowly sounds in a space smelled of time, the elderly sip morning tea and talk together in Chinese. In Hao Sy Phuong, people think they are in an old Chineses movie, not in the middle of Saigon. But this interesting cultural intercourse makes a particular and poetic Saigon.
#WW
Perhaps many people feel strange and curious with the name Hao Sy Phuong and the formation of the alley. There are many explanations for this particular name. Most people explain that Hao is taken from the word "Hao Hiep" (which mean chivalrous), Sy in "Van Sy" (the writer), Phuong is the custom of the Chinese "buon co ban, ban co Phuong" (means when doing business, you need support from the team). That leads to the meaning that chivalry and literature are the characteristics creating this alley.
According to some other studies, the name Hao Sy Phuong comes from the occupation of residents in the alley. Under French colonialism, the French had facilitated the Chinese community to comfortably build Cho Lon area in their traditional way of life, as long as they did not make a big difference to the indigenous culture.
Despite it is explained in any way, Hao Sy Phuong has remained the same for more than 100 years. Time seems to fly more slowly. People enjoy life without hurry, no smoke, no noise, regardless of just a few steps from the road.
Some Chinese melodies slowly sounds in a space smelled of time, the elderly sip morning tea and talk together in Chinese. In Hao Sy Phuong, people think they are in an old Chineses movie, not in the middle of Saigon. But this interesting cultural intercourse makes a particular and poetic Saigon.
#WW
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