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Hanoi On The Table: Where Every Dish Tells a Story of the Capital’s Memories

Hanoi On The Table is a communication project that invites international diners to discover Hanoi cuisine through the cultural and historical stories hidden behind every flavour on the plate.

Developed by students from the International Communication Class K43 at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, the project Hanoi On The Table – Culinary Journey has a clear mission: to introduce Hanoi’s food culture to foreign visitors living and working in Vietnam. Through three themed experiential phases, titled Appetiser, Main Course and Aftertaste, the team aims to lead audiences into the world of authentic Hanoi dishes, while revealing the cultural context, history and deeper meanings behind each one. Food is positioned not just as nourishment, but as a storytelling language of the capital.

Within just two months of its launch, Hanoi On The Table has built a strong presence across social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. Carrying the slogan The flavours of Hanoi – The stories of time, the project does more than showcase how dishes taste. It sparks conversations about origins, history and cultural significance, helping viewers understand why certain dishes have become embedded in the city’s collective memory. The visual identity features deep green, red and brown tones inspired by traditional aesthetics, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages audiences to explore the capital’s culinary identity.

With a primary focus on international diners currently based in Vietnam, the Hanoi On The Table team has invested carefully in storytelling and production quality across its three core phases. The first phase, Appetiser, introduces viewers to Hanoi cuisine by guiding them through iconic food streets and traditional markets, helping them become familiar with everyday dishes that define local life.

The next phases, Main Course and Aftertaste, continue to draw strong attention from the audience. Through poetic visuals, cinematic footage and engaging narratives, the team brings to life the stories and heritage behind each dish. Viewers are invited to immerse themselves in the sensory world of Hanoi dining, from the bustle of long standing markets to the quiet charm of old restaurants that preserve recipes passed down for generations.

One follower, Emma Wilson, an English teacher from Australia, shared that she initially followed the project to find good places to eat in Hanoi. Over time, Hanoi On The Table gave her much more than recommendations. Through the fanpage, she learned about a vendor who has been cooking bun thang for more than 30 years and discovered the origins of cha ca La Vong. She said that now when she eats, she does not only taste the flavour but also feels the care, history and tradition behind each bowl and plate.

Speaking about the production journey, project representative Hien Chi noted that researching the history and unique features of Hanoi cuisine through individual dishes can sometimes be challenging for the team. However, they deeply value the cultural stories preserved in these recipes and see the project as a labour of love that drives them to continuously improve and create meaningful experiences for visitors to Hanoi.

One of the highlights of the project is the photo series The Flavours of Hanoi, which traces the evolution of the capital’s cuisine over the years, capturing both change and continuity in the way people cook, share and enjoy food.

As Hanoi On The Table moves towards its final chapters, the project has already attracted a growing base of followers and supporters. Audiences are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming surprises and special content to be unveiled on the Hanoi On The Table – Culinary Journey fanpage, where every dish remains a small yet powerful piece of Hanoi’s living story.