Joseph Gobin Photographer

Stopping on the sidewalk to have a cup of ice-tea, smoke a cigarette and discuss a little bit about this and that ; the social classes mix together and the street becomes a public space to be appropriated.

Since September 2016, the banks of Lake Hoan Kiem are closed to traffic from Friday till Sunday night. Located right in the heart of Hanoi, the pedestrianized space is filled with passerby of all kinds enjoying one of the rare traffic-free promenade of the capital. Hip-Hop dancing, skipping rope, karaoke and much more is taking place in a collective feel good atmosphere. Each and everyone can please themselves and children are having a blast amidst this joyful cacophony with party balloons on their wrist or at the wheel of a kid’s jeep.

Enzo is 6 months old and it's the first time he sets foot in China. He is about to get to know his family. His Mom, Li Li, is 27 years old and she has travelled on her own from France. It’s been 10 years since she settled in Paris. After her studies, she entered the workforce and got married. Li li was still single when she was home for the the last time, a year and half ago. Today, she goes around the city and the countryside, introducing her son from house to house.