For more than a decade, a highlight of any visit to Hanoi has been popping down to Tadioto, the drinkery and eatery owned by old friend Nguyen Qui Duc. Tadioto's had many incarnations over the years. They've all been dependable places for a drink and great company - mainly because of Duc's presence and his talent for creating amazing spaces.
If you follow Rusty Compass you'll be aware of the regard we have for Duc as a writer, artist and advocate for the arts. He's been a great ambassador the arts in Hanoi and Vietnam since his return almost two decades ago.
This is a video I shot with Duc back in 2013.
In early 2022 after two years of COVID border closures, the first friend I caught up with in Hanoi was Duc. It was a great chat and marker of better times ahead.
On my visit to Hanoi last week, there were no Tadioto streetside chats over wine with Duc. Duc is gravely ill battling cancer in a Hanoi hospital. He's facing a huge medical fight. It's also a big drain on finances.
If you'd like to help Duc out in this terrible time, Duc's close friends and family in Hanoi have set up a Go Fund Me page here.
If you're in Hanoi, pop by Tadioto for a drink. You won't meet Duc right now, but you'll get a sense of that talent for creating special spaces. And every little bit helps right now.
You can read more about Tadioto here.
Get well Duc oi! We miss you!
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