The excitement seemed to subside when we witnessed the crowd standing in the sun, queuing "long lines" to wait for their turn. The friend worriedly said: "Or find another restaurant, queuing just to eat a bowl of pho like this is too hard. In this day and age, you still have to queue when you pay, while you could have eaten in a cleaner place, served more attentively.
I laughed: "It's okay to queue for a bit, moreover, queuing and eating a bowl of pho here is also worth it.
The story of queuing to eat pho in Hanoi has long had many opposing opinions. Some people think that there is no need to wait like that, but some people see it as a choice and a respectable cultural behavior. In the midst of the bustling urban life, the image of Hanoians patiently queuing to wait for a bowl of pho is beautiful. I belong to the second group.
Behind a line of people in front of a pho restaurant is not only waiting to enjoy food, but also an expression of respect for the common space, respect for the seller and respect for oneself.
Hanoi pho has long been not just a familiar dish but has become a part of urban memory, a cultural symbol associated with the rhythm of life of the Capital's people. In recent days, the image of diners queuing in long lines in front of some famous pho restaurants continues to attract attention. Some people wait for dozens of minutes, even longer, to enjoy a bowl of pho in its familiar flavor. In a society where many people always want everything to happen faster, accepting to wait for a dish that seems small has become a story worth considering about culture.
Queuing becomes part of the experience. The person who arrives later waits for the person who arrives first. The buyer after does not interrupt the buyer before. The seller serves in order. A principle that seems very simple but reflects a greater value: Everyone is equal before a bowl of pho.
In many countries, queuing has become a standard in life. People wait for the train, wait to buy tickets, wait to go to restaurants or use public services in a certain order.
Queuing culture only has meaning when it becomes a natural habit in life. That is when each person understands that waiting a few more minutes is not a disadvantage, but a way to show civilization. Not squeezing in, not trying to gain advantage for themselves, not considering their own speed as more important than the fairness of the community.
Returning to my friend's story, after enjoying a bowl of Hanoi pho, he said: "It's worth queuing to wait for a bowl of pho, but what's more worthwhile, I realize, queuing is also a beautiful thing. Next time I come to Hanoi, if I go to eat pho, I'm willing to queue.
