Hà Nội, 2012

It is suggested that this is where Hương lives as an adult, after her grandmother has passed away. She has an incense altar and burns incense in Diệu Lan’s honor.

Hà Nội , 1956-1980

Hương is 12 at the beginning of the novel, and in 1972, American bombers posed fatal threat to residents of Hà Nội. Hương’s parents and Uncles were away at war during this time, leaving Diệu Lan and Hương in Hà Nội. By 1972, many buildings are destroyed by bombers in Hà Nội, leaving “piles of broken bricks and twisted metal” (3). Though Hương sees Hà Nội as her home, she and Diệu Lan briefly find refuge in a remote mountain village. They rebuild their home in Hà Nội after it was destroyed by bombers.

Indeed, Hà Nội becomes a place...