Speaking
Practice

A very common leisure activity in Vietnam is going out for coffee. People do it not only because they want a drink, but also because cafés are convenient places to relax, meet friends and spend time outside the home.

The activity is popular with people of almost all ages. Students often meet up after class, office workers go for coffee with colleagues, and families sometimes visit cafés at weekends. Older people may prefer simple local coffee shops, while younger customers often choose modern cafés.

It is possible to do almost anywhere, especially in cities where cafés can be found on nearly every busy street. People often go in the morning, during lunch breaks, after work or in the evening. Some cafés are quiet and suitable for reading or studying, while others are lively places for socialising. Because there are so many price levels, people can choose anything from a simple street-side coffee to a more comfortable air-conditioned café.

I think café culture is popular because it is flexible, affordable and suitable for all ages. It has become part of everyday life and gives people an easy reason to slow down and talk.

A hobby I enjoy is sketching simple objects and places. I am not a professional artist, but I like drawing because it is a quiet activity that I can do almost anywhere.

I do not need much equipment. Usually, I use a small sketchbook, a pencil set, an eraser and sometimes a black pen. I prefer simple tools because too many materials make the hobby feel more complicated than necessary.

I started sketching a few years ago after watching short drawing videos online. At first, my pictures looked very basic, especially when I tried to draw buildings or people. I learned by watching how other artists simplified shapes and used light lines before adding detail. Then I practised by drawing cups, plants and objects around my room. Over time, I improved gradually and became less worried about making perfect pictures. Now I sometimes take my sketchbook to a café or park and draw whatever catches my attention.

I enjoy sketching because it helps me switch off mentally and focus on one small task. It is creative without being stressful, and seeing slow improvement gives me a real sense of satisfaction.

An activity I enjoy doing alone in my free time is reading fiction. I usually read novels or short stories, especially in the evening when I do not have urgent work.

I read for about thirty minutes on most days and longer at weekends. I usually sit in a quiet corner of my bedroom or on the sofa in the living room. Sometimes I also take a book to a café if I want a change of environment.

What I like most is getting absorbed in a story without needing to talk or respond to anyone. After spending much of the day looking at screens, reading a printed book gives my eyes and mind a different kind of rest. Last month, I started a mystery novel and became so interested that I finished it in only a few days. Instead of checking my phone before bed, I read a chapter each night and found it easier to slow down.

Reading alone helps me unwind and take a break from screens. I usually feel calmer and more recharged afterwards. I enjoy social activities too, but I think having one quiet hobby is useful because it gives me personal space without feeling lonely.

My favourite place in my house to relax is the small balcony outside my bedroom. It is not large, but it feels separate from the rest of the home and gets good natural light.

The balcony has one chair, a small table and several potted plants. From there, I can see part of the street and a few trees. In the morning it is bright, while in the evening it becomes cooler and quieter, which is when I use it most.

I usually sit back with a drink, read quietly or simply watch what is happening outside. If I have had a busy day, I sometimes leave my phone inside for twenty minutes and just enjoy the fresh air. Last weekend, I spent nearly an hour there reading while it was lightly raining. The sound of the rain and the cool air made the space feel especially comfortable. I do not need any special activity to enjoy being there.

I like the balcony because it helps me feel peaceful without leaving home. It gives me a short break from screens, noise and household tasks. Even though it is a very simple space, it has become my personal relaxing corner.

Something I made myself was a small wooden shelf for my bedroom. I built it at home with help from my brother about a year ago.

I needed extra space for books and small objects, but the shelves I saw in shops were either too large or more expensive than I wanted. My brother suggested making a simple one ourselves because he already had some basic tools.

First, we measured the wall carefully and bought two wooden boards from a hardware shop. We cut them to size, sanded the surfaces and marked where the brackets would go. The first attempt was slightly uneven, so we removed one bracket and adjusted it. It took some trial and error, but eventually we put the shelf together and fixed it securely to the wall. I then added books, a small plant and a photo frame. The whole project took most of one afternoon.

I like the shelf because it is useful and reminds me of making something with my own hands. It is not perfect, but that actually makes it more personal. Every time I use it, I get a small sense of achievement because we solved the problem ourselves.