5 Best Cafe Apartment Blocks in Saigon – Saigon’s Hidden Gems

The usual image of Saigonese men reading the newspaper while sipping some coffee can be seen anytime, anywhere: from early in the morning to midnight, from the pavement to the luxurious coffee shops such as Starbucks and Highlands. What is considered the norm, however, represents an irreplaceable piece of Saigon’s culture.

History and Culture

Presented to Vietnamese people in 1857 by the French colonial government, coffee soon got into mass production and became the main source of income for our country in the 20th century. Despite being interrupted in the Vietnam war, this industry made a comeback and flourished throughout the nation. Coffee remains as an irreplaceable drink for Vietnamese people, particularly Saigonese. The typical coffee cup would include coffee, milk, and ice. Strong coffee is dripped from a small filter into a cup, approximately one-fourth of which has been filled with condensed milk. After a small talk while waiting for the coffee to drip, all you need to do is to stir the mixture mildly and enjoy the taste bit by bit. Even though the cup may be no larger than your hand, this specialty can by no means be drunk quickly. Unlike milk and orange juice, coffee offers people a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban life, rather than a healthful drink to quench your thirst

As they are quite diverse, different types of people enjoy going to different types of cafes: those who prefer a friendly, informal atmosphere prefer street coffee, while artistic wanderers are suited to cafe gardens. And if you want a wide variety to choose from, café apartments are not to be ignored.

Although they were initially built only for accommodation, these “flats”’s inhabitants decide to open coffee shops, each with its own decoration. For the downtown area is increasingly dominated by luxurious, majestic brands, it is much easier for small business to operate here. Regardless of the limited space, customers appreciate these coffee shops for their affordable price, creativity in design and good products. Their owners, mostly artists, or simply art fanatics can turn the previously boring, monotonous themes into an attractive and cozy area. Each creates its own impression: a nostalgic feeling with old subjects on display, a festive vibe with colorful decorations. Some even paint pictures of fictional characters to attract anime fans.

Here are our favorite café apartments in Saigon. They are truly local hidden gems in the city that you should visit.

Contents

1. Nguyen Hue Apartment Block - 42 Nguyen Hue Street

Built in the 20th century, this block used to house government and military personnel, including US advisors ad naval officers before and after 1975.

Visitors often wander floor to floor up the twisting stairs looking for something that suits their taste. As there are options galore, make sure you have a look through all the cafés

Photo by Linh Nguyen

Before stepping into the block, don’t forget to take a photo of it from the other side of the Walking Street. The combination of lighting from all the cafes at night surely will take your breath away.

The ground floor is occupied by the Fahasa bookstore, the left side of which lies the small entrance to the Café apartment. It is a bit hard to find due to the electrical cables and signs.

Once inside, the building is like a maze. Keep to the stairs, or just take the elevator. The first café you bump into is the Saigon Vieux  (2nd floor), where suits anyone looking for a romantic landscape. The swing reminds customers of childhood memories, while balcony looking over the Walking street is a perfect place for a short chat. Right next door is a fusion of fashion boutique and café, the Balcony Cafeteria.

Photo by Linh Nguyen

Upstairs is a perfect place for a dessert. Apart from traditional coffee, Mango Tree also offers a good choice of ice cream and bingsu - a Korean dish consisting of ice shavings, sweetened condensed milk, fruits, Korean rice cake, cereal flakes and ice cream. A few meters away is The Maker, which stands among the most popular coffee shops in the area. This is more of a café-workshop, for it gives visitors an arty vibe.

On the fourth floor is Partea. Heavily influenced by English style, this tearoom allows customers to choose from an encyclopedic section and even drink in an English teapot.

There are far more to explore upstairs. Perfect examples are Metsign Café –a utopia for European style fanatics and Boo Café, a milk-tea shop with playful interior and The Letter Café – specially designed for Japanese culture’s enthusiasts.

Cafe Apartment Block in Saigon

However, the coffee apartment is not just about coffee. There are numerous fashion boutiques (e.g Baddest Blue -3rd floor, Maison De Jenny- 4th floor, etc.), some furniture shops and a jewelry store, perfect for window shopping. You should spare at least one evening to explore the apartment with all these activities!

2. Pasteur Apartment Block–158 Pasteur Street

Located on Pasteur Street, another tourist quarter filled with fast food restaurants in District 1, this block seems pretty old and insignificant on the outside. However, the interior is far more lively. The spiral staircase provides a perfect background for a shot.  

The most well-known cafés here are She Café and Secret Garden.

Photo via imgs.vietnamnet.vn

She Café  is highly recommended for single ladies for its quiet, tender atmosphere. In particular, the place is furnished with small-sized sets of tables and chairs, each with a flower vase. What’s more, portraits of beautiful women such as Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Marily Monroe and Princess Diana all the more honor women’s virtues. Despite being not so spacious, this design can create a feeling of comfort. Certainly, this indoor coffee shop remains at the top of the must-try list for energetic young ladies making the most of their youths.

Photo via media.foody.vn @She Cafe

Secret Garden, in contrast, provides families and close friends with a chance to gather. This café-restaurant also serves Vietnamese specialties and seafood in large portions for a group of at least 4 people to enjoy. After a long chat with homies, customers can comfort themselves watching the starry sky and Saigon’s nightlife while the gentle winds give them a good massage.

3. Ton That Dam Building - 14 Ton That Dam, District 1

Known as the most time-honored apartment block in Ho Chi Minh city, it was built in 1866 by the French, thus having some French influence in style. After the Vietnam War, it was given to government officials, whose families still live there now.

Photo via imgs.vietnamnet.vn

The old age and historic values turned it into a tourist destination. Consequently, some flat owners saw this as an opportunity to open up cafes and fashion shops with vintage style. Others soon caught up and turned what was simply a block into a frequently crowded area.

Photo via jimmyeatsworld.com/

Located on the 1st floor, Banksy Studio is a perfect mixture of West and East. The traditional teapots are tastefully placed among the colorful furniture. Since the manager and his staff are knowledgeable about tea, they can give instructions on brewing your own drinks, which cannot be a more rewarding experience. Though it is arguably the best place to explore cultures, non-smokers are not well advised to go here, for smoking is allowed.

Photo via tea-1.lozi.vn @Banksy Studio

The Other Person Coffee on the 2nd floor, however, is radically different in style. All the objects resemble Japanese culture, while “waiters” are dressed in kimonos like geishas or anime characters. Since its operation in 2012, this café has never stopped appealing to anime and cosplay fans in the neighborhood.

Photo via awol.junkee.com
Photo via tea-4.lozi.vn @The other person cafe

If you are looking for a sweet, sugary and a bit unorthodox dessert, nothing suits you better than The Mockingbird (4th floor).  The specialty here - coconut ice cream mixed with pear and wine- is not something to be forgotten. Likewise, Coke Float makes visitors’ mouth water with the funny, fatty look. Regrettably, this image cannot maintain for too long before the cream melts and turns the drink into a hideous sight. What’s more soothing than enjoying a luscious dessert while watching the unceasingly exciting life of our country’s biggest city?

Photo via img2.news.zing.vn

4. Ly Tu Trong Apartment Block-  26 Ly Tu Trong Street

Another café apartment in District 1! This one is situated at the intersection of Dong Khoi and Ly Tu Trong street. As it is just opposite the luxurious Vincom Centre, the background cannot suit you better for a good pose! Inside you can find bars, pubs, galleries, second-hand clothing shops, and, of course, cafes on offer. Styles range from classic to modern as you wander from floors to floors. Also constructed by the French, it is a symbol of great influence from their architecture, which can easily be seen in the staircase and the old lift. Unlike others, Ly Tu Trong apartment block has not undergone much reconstruction, therefore looks relatively more original.  Nonetheless, there has been little, if any, deterioration.

Photo via afamily1.mediacdn.vn

The Le Xuan art gallery, besides catching western travelers’ eyes, helps decorate the hallway with its stunning oil paintings.

Cong Café reminds nostalgic adults living in post-war years of those hard times. Enjoy the coffee and see the streets from the balcony. Don’t forget to look around to discover what your parents/ grandparents described as something “today’s kids never know how hard it was!”

Photo via media.foody.vn

The Loft on the same floor is another good choice for visitors. Ice-blended, soda and fruit juice are on the menu to freshen your day. This also serves dishes for the main course: European dishes like pasta are fantastic! One feature that makes The Loft stand out is the clock-like window.  This European object has acted as an icon for this café, attracting both city dwellers and tourists. In addition, jazz music is carefully selected by the owner to create an artistic landscape, so having lunch here would be something you cannot resist.

Photo via tinhthong.vn

Bong Cai Xanh, despite being a cafe, is mainly known for main courses. A nutrient-rich meal in the vintage atmosphere here will suit office workers well.

Photo via lh3.googleusercontent.com

Too much food and drinks already? Try shopping or photography. Saigonese love both. There are detailed instructions in the hallway, so getting lost will not be a problem. Otherwise, just wander to a random place. Photographers can help you with some memoirs of the trip, while shops have a variety of souvenirs for your friends.

5. Thai Van Lung Apartment Block, Thai Van Lung & Nguyen Du street

This one may be a bit different since the hallway is dark and a bit creepy. Still, this is all the more interesting for intrepid, curious visitors.

Cafes in this block are typical of Saigonese coffee culture: simple decoration. Reflections of this city’s culture can be seen anywhere. There are paintings, wooden doors, black and white TVs, and live acoustic music. For middle-aged adults willing to liven up their youth, there cannot be a more ideal place.

Photo via static.mytour.vn

Bang Khuang Café, which was previously an old, abandoned flat, can revive memories of the good old days in every elder Saigonese. Listen to the door creaking, the people chatting. Look at those shelves and indoor hanging plants. Bang Khuang may have limited space, but the new owner managed to re-furnish and redecorate the flat to offer customers the airiest place possible. The warm and charming lighting from lanterns, with its focus on the paintings, turn this place a heaven for book readers. Beside the authentic homemade coffee, give the main courses a try.

Photo via media-cdn.tripadvisor.com

Nguoi Sai Gon Café has its walls full of photographs, paintings and meaningful sayings about life. Music, sets of teapots and other potteries of the pre-1975 style give foreigners an overview of the city’s history. In the evening, several invited artists give live acoustic performances, mainly pre-war pieces.

Photo via media.foody.vn

All the destinations above, previously boring, monotonous flats, were transformed into hot spots for both local people and tourists. If one day you happen to go to Saigon, why not drop over and have a look at the products of Saigonese’s passion and creativity?

15 thoughts on “5 Best Cafe Apartment Blocks in Saigon – Saigon’s Hidden Gems

  1. WOW. What an amazing history and renovation of an older building! I never knew about the history of coffee in Saigon and find this to be very interesting. Thanks so much for exposing me to things I haven’t yet seen or heard of. 🙂

  2. each of those 5 places are charming (and I love charming!) I would love to visit all of them and sit quietly drinking a great cup of coffee, observing the world around me ; )
    thanks!

  3. I would love to visit any of these, especially where I could just sit and view and people watch while sipping on some coffee.

  4. WOw! I didn’t even know these existed. What an incredible idea! These are such cool concepts. I’d love to take a day and just venture through all of them. Great post!

  5. Anytime is Coffee time and this adage seems to be so true in Saigon. These are some really amazing cafe apartments. Such a unique concept and culture of Saigon. Would love to sit in one of the cafes, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.

  6. I’ve only been to some in Ly Tu Trong Apartment Block and they’re all absolutely amazing! I’m considering visiting the others, especially the cutesy The Other Person Coffee. Thanks for sharing this list!

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