Nha Nam Book Cafe

The sheer number of books collected and preserved at Nha Nam Book Cafe alone is already capable of making the hearts of bookworms jump! In addition, the cafe is delightfully designed with careful consideration that even “tricks” readers that they are lost in another world every time they step foot in each distinct rooms. A huge perk for visitors for such a memorable experience is that beverage’s price is relatively affordable.

Address: 24A Đường D5, Phường 25, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh
Hours: 7AM - 10PM
Phone: 028 3510 6778

Monologue Book Cafe

A halcyon day spent in a breezy space pervaded by soothing music now is not only a prerogative of the wealthy as You, too, can relish it too. Monologue presents you with an exceptional zone, embellished by contemporary design, to immerse yourself in another sphere at the time when you might temporarily want to take a break from the hustle-bustle of everyday life.

Address: 93b Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Hub Book Cafe

Mellow, balmy and classic thanks to the splendid unison of the architecture and lighting, Hub Book Cafe will not fall short of your expectation. Hub Book Cafe serves as an optimal destination to conduct group meeting as well as to relish the collection of novels and comic books at hand.

Address: 18 Cộng Hòa, Phường 4, Tân Bình, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 7AM-10PM
Phone: +84 28 6277 1422

Ca Chep Bookstore

Located on the book road of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ca Chep prides itself on an extensive book collection of up to 20000. There are multiple floors and the book cafe reigns from the highest. A relaxing space is successfully created by use of darker tone colors in order to match the sense of many enduring compositions demonstrated on the shelves. At Ca Chep Book Cafe, readers can indulge in a unique experience with many critic, historical and rare literal pieces such as “Nguyen Dynasty Historical Collection-Minh Menh chinh yeu” published in 1972, 1974 or “Confucius” by Tran Trong Kim or even “The Tale of Kieu” (“Truyen Kieu”) in English by Tran Trong Thuy.

Address: 211-213 Võ Văn Tần, phường 5, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Website: cachep.vn
Phone: +84 862906951

Ciao Cafe

Renowned for its gorgeous setting, Ciao Cafe proves to be an excellent venue to meet up not only with friends but also with business partners. Even though the surroundings are very much quiet, visitors can always find that this cafe is upbeat with its cheerful melody played by the shop. Why not come and try a sip while perusing your book choice?

Address: 74 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Website: niso.com.vn
Hours: 7AM-11PM
Phone: 028 3823 1130

Huy Hoang Bookstore Cafe

Located on the second floor at 357A Lê Văn Sỹ Street, Ward 1, Tân Bình District, Huy Hoang Bookstore Cafe is now a household name of teenagers in search of their reading shelter. A bonus of choosing this cafe is that after work, you can reward yourself a delicious dish at any restaurant along the street nearby with an array of options from Japanese to Korean BBQ or Vietnam Pho.

Address: 357 Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường 1, Tân Bình, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Website: huyhoangbook.com.vn
Hours: 8AM-10PM
Phone: +84 838396679

Comma Cafe

Operating on the basis of “pay-per-minute”n with more than 2000 titles of various genres and a selection of board games, Comma Cafe even surprises you with its book tents and unique beehive cubicles fully equipped with lighting for you to lie down and devour books to your heart’s content or to have a word with your friends without fear of distraction.

Address: 653 Đường Lê Văn Lương, Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hours: 9AM-10PM
Phone: 0126 437 5167

Work Cafe Saigon

Occupying a vast area on the second floor of Bitexco Tower, Work Cafe Saigon attracts its visitors open working space. Although it is very much always crowded, Work Cafe Saigon still promises you a quiet spot to concentrate on your work. Put away your phone and come to book cafe and explore the giant book collection. Moreover, Work Cafe Saigon is a clear winner in terms of drink quality with its specialized coffee which retains the fullest flavor of each cup of coffee.

Address: 2 Hai Trieu, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2nd Floor, inside Nest (5.98 km) 70000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hours: 10AM-9PM (SAT&SUN: 10AM-10PM)
Website: www.workcafesaigon.com
Phone: 090 367 29 44

Container Café

Recycling has never been a new concept, but a coffee house built with two containers with wooden and glass windows might be the first in the city. However, one problem with using containers is that they absorb too much heat on sunny days. After trials and errors, Mr. Giang - owner of the café had come up with the best insulation panels. The interior of the cafe is now fully cooled and ventilated, creating a comfortable place for guests. He even made tables and chairs from fragments like motorcycle wheel rims, tires, and tanks, engine cylinder or vintage cameras, turning the café into an outrageous yet attractive place. 'Scrap materials will worsen the environment. Then why don't we use them to make an eco-friendly hang-out?', said Giang.

Address: #138 No.1 Street, Trung Son residential area, Binh Chanh District
Opening time: 8:00am - 9:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 20,000 - 60,000 VND

The Other Person 

Originated from Akihabara and have become one of Japan’s popular culture icon, Maid Cafes are themed cafe shops with waitresses dressed as maids treating customers as if they are kings or masters. For those who are interested in Japanese culture, The Other Person is a must-visit. Located in a small apartment block on Ton That Dam St, this is one of the first coffee houses with the ‘maid’ concept in Saigon. The café has a ‘kawaii’ setting, with TVs always screening Japanese animes and a pink piano matching with its surrounding for those who wish to show their musical talents or just simply play for fun. Interestingly, they also organize periodical cosplay shows. Still, one minus point of this coffee house is that due to its small size and tricky location, finding the place can be quite challenging.

Address: #14 Ton That Dam Street, District 1
Price range: 30,000 - 60,000VND

The Workshop

Lied in a small alley of a central street, though you have to walk up a few flights of stairs to reach the place, it rewards with a great view of Saigon and exceptional cups of coffee. The Workshop is flawlessly bedecked in a rustic industrial design with high ceilings and a central open coffee brewing stand where customers are invited to watch how their espresso is processed. And guess what, they even feature an artisan coffee roaster in-store. How cool is that!

The baristas not only excel at espresso but also many other coffee making techniques such as cold brew, cold drip and immersion methods like Syphon, V60, Kone, Chemex or Kalita Wave. With an impressively extensive menu of Vietnamese/Western beans and styles, they never fail to enamor customers who eventually become regulars and some even praised The Workshop as the best place to enjoy the ‘art of coffee’ in town.

In addition, the coffee house offers some great food choice (including vegetarian pasta) in case you are looking for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Some finger food and snacks are also available dining options. And if you are interested, they sell some coffee making tools, cups, and several pretty nice local artists work hung up on the walls.

That being said, the limited seating might turn some coffee seekers off and those stools can be a bit uncomfortable if you sit for too long.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/the.workshop.coffee/
Address: #27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1 / 2nd floor|
Tel: (+84) 28 3824 6801
Opening time: 8:00am - 9:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 60,000 - 90,000VND

Du Mien Garden

Despite situated quite far from the city center, Du Mien Coffee is still extremely famous for its extraordinary design. Taking advantage of the banyan trees that are hundreds of years old, the owner has beautified the café with unique nest-shaped wooden houses offering shades for those who fancy certain serenity and intimacy. But should you want to mix yourself with nature, then green grassland, beautiful blooming flowers, a crystal blue lake, and balconies in many different altitudes will definitely not disappoint you. As one of the biggest coffee houses in HCMC with an area of around 6000m2, there seems to be no sense of loss or imprisonment sipping a cup of coffee here and sudden inspirations can always spark off in seconds. Therefore, it is worth noticing that there might be no seat available on weekends considering that the drinks on the menu are quite cheap.

Address: #7 Phan Van Tri Street, Ward 10, Go Vap District
Opening hours: 7:00am - 11:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 30,000 - 100,000VND

Hard Rock

Hard Rock is an American coffee house and must-go destination for rock lovers, located in the most crowded area of Saigon - the upscale shopping and entertainment complex MPlaza Le Duan (formerly known as Kumho Asiana Plaza) which is within minutes from the city’s prominent landmarks such as City Post, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Reunification Palace. It occupies 2 stories with a bar on the lower and a restaurant/gift shop on the higher floor. At Hard Rock, you can find pieces of clothes, instruments or other memorabilia belonging to many of the most legendary rockers and contemporary artists in the history of rock. There are live rock sessions every night and many tribute nights with no additional charge. Although pricier than other rivals, there is no doubt about the quality of the food and beverages here. Parking is also free if you stay there less than 4 hours.

Address: #39 Le Duan Street, District 1
Tel: (+84) 28 6291 7595
Opening hours: 11:00am - 12:00am (Everyday)
Price range: 30,000 - 90,000VND

The Lab 

  “Don’t drink anything in a lab, unless you’re at The Lab”
Located in a small quiet alley on Nguyen Chi Thanh St, The Lab seems to be distinct from the fast pace of life around the area. Resembling a chemistry laboratory filled with colorful, effervescent, smoke-filled test instruments and tube racks, The Lab mixes science with refreshment and is proving a magnet for young people interested in creativity, science, and unique drinks. Apart from the normal drinks, The Lab also has its signature drinks such as The Lab smoothie or The Lab cocktail, all are served in glass beakers or jars and put on medical trays. With its familiar customers, The Lab is not just any ordinary lab but a lab for new ideas - ideas that need to be tested and turned into reality, which is also their aim through the open-end message "Formula for life?". If you want to find peace after busy working days then The Lab is the place for you.

Address: #47 Pham Huu Chi Street, Ward 12, District 5
Opening hours: 8:00am - 10:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 30,000 - 60,000VND

Toilet Café

Toilet cafés is not a new concept in Asian countries, but it is new in Vietnam as the first one just came to Vietnam 2 or 3 years ago. Customers sit on toilets and eat from bathtubs and drinks from toilet-shaped cups. The café space is laid out with many toilet seats and even the staircases look like those of a toilet. It may be unimaginable someone would come to a place like this and relish beverages but still, hundreds of customers still go to the Toilet Kingdom café every day for its coziness and reasonable prices.

 

Address: #29 D2 Street, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District
Opening hours: 8:00am - 10:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 30,000 - 60,000VND

Kujuz 

Located on a small street of Saigon, what makes Kujuz so special is that it has walls made up of a plethora amount of old windows and doors. The quiet space inside this coffee house makes it an ideal place to relax or have some good read. It costs 50,000VND for a glass of drink but if you pay 100,000VND, you can have as many as you want and you can even leave and return within a day. Here, you can also make your own drink with the guidance of the staff.

Address: #35 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9:00am - 10:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 60,000 - 90,000VND

Hoài Niệm

“A small place where we brothers and sisters sit together – tell some stories, have some good laugh and give each other memories that will last a lifetime” is what this coffee house on Tran Van Dang St strives for. Although it is not spacious, it’s a perfect place to sit together and recall all the old memories. When you go to Hoai Niem, you will get the feeling as if you’re in the 70s. You can even have a new haircut here if you’ve booked your reservations.

Address: #239/50 Tran Van Dang Street, Ward 11, District 3
Opening hours: 9:30 am - 10:30 pm (Monday to Saturday)
Price range: 15,000 - 40,000VND

Darkroom

Come here, sit on an old wooden chair, look at an old flower pot is a real pleasure after the busy lifestyle in HCMC. Darkroom is decorated with old familiar objects, such as vintage film cameras or film rolls which brings a sense of peace and nostalgia vibe. Coming to this place, you can find some nice talks with many film cameras enthusiasts since this is one of the last two places that scan film in modern Saigon.

Website: https://darkroom.vn/
Address: #30/1F Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District
Tel: (+84) 98 747 96 95
Opening hours: 7:30am - 10:00pm (Everyday)
Price range: 20,000 - 50,000VND

Top Of The Town

Arriving here, you will be surprised at the classic and elegant design of Top Of The Town, giving the vibe of a fairytale garden or the ancient Greek mythological palace. Having a spectacular 360-degree view of Saigon, Top Of The Town is the perfect destination for celebrations, romantic dinners or private parties with its international wine list and à la carte menu. Yet, the food menu is limited in comparison with the drinks one, and water is free here. Come and join the vibrancy in the terrace bar with locals, expats, and tourists.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TopoftheTownBarandRestaurant (Vietnamese)
Address: #18 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, HCMC / 25th floor of Windsor Plaza Hotel
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3833 6688
Price range: 100,000 – 660,000VND

Café EON

Located on the 50-52th floor, Café EON is now the highest cafés in Saigon for a stunning view, especially suitable for night get-togethers when the city is overwhelmed with colorful lights. This venue features two concepts, one of those fond of overlooking the cityscape ‘from above the cloud’ while enjoying tasty drinks and the other concentrates on Asian foods. However, since it is ‘on the cloud’, the cheapest price for a drink here is 120,000 VND, which is still better than buying a ticket to Bitexco to see the city. (For more information, the 49th floor of Bitexco Tower is Saigon Skydeck where you can also get a 360-degree panorama of the city through a telescope with an entrance fee of 200,000 VND.)

 

Website: http://eon51.com/cafe-eon/ (English, Vietnamese)
https://www.facebook.com/EON50Cafe/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED (Vietnamese)
Address: #2 Hai Trieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC / 50-52th floor of Bitexco Tower
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 11:30 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 6291 8750
Price range: 120,000 – 260,000VND

Moonlight Café

Located on the top floor of Parkson CT Plaza building near Tan Son Nhat Airport, this is the cafe known for the ideal airplane view of Saigon. Therefore, ‘airplane café’ has become the brand of this cafe terrace. Sitting in the café and that is a stunning view you might see! Just lean back to the wooden chair, relish a coconut juice, watch an airplane preparing to take off on a glittering night, and so on. You can also observe the airport on the way up by using the outside glass elevator (this elevator is only available for floor 10 ‘CGV Cinema’ and floor 11 ‘Moonlight Café’). All these things will make your night unforgettable. There are also a ball house for kids and some live piano performances after 8 pm.

Address: #60A Truong Son Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, HCMC /11th floor of Parkson CT Plaza
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3547 2555
Price range: 35,000 – 65,000VND

Lac Dinh House

The cool, shady Turtle Lake area is always an ideal place for those who like to savor snacks while observing Saigon’s busy traffic. But have you ever thought of watching the scene from above to see the whole picture of this modern yet classic area? If the answer is yes, then don’t hesitate to go to Lac Dinh House. Frankly speaking, Lac Dinh is not so much a café as a tea shop. At Lac Dinh, you don’t need to be a connoisseur of tea, just say what you like and the mistress will make a teapot that meets your requirements. Tea will be served as a set along with a small teapot and a boiling oven to keep it hot. Cakes and dishes are made to her own recipe, so the taste is very distinctive such as cheesy chicken and rice, tiramisu, avocado double cheesecake, black forest cake, carmen cake, cherry scones, apple pie and even traditional dishes, namely water fern cake, bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake). You can access the website to know more about the day’s menu as it varies every day. Rarely does anyone complain about cakes and tea; but if they do, it is probably about having to climb the stairs to the 4th floor and there are so few tables that it is frequently crowded. Therefore, reservation is a must. Also, the store closes as soon as the dishes are out of stock and the parking lot on the ground level is for Phuc Long café only so you should call the number below in advance.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/lacdinhtram/ (Vietnamese)
Address: #6 Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC / 4th floor
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 901 872 105
Price range: 45,000 – 200,00VND

Chill Skybar

What is more awesome than having delicious cocktails while watching the sunset from the top? And if you have a plan for night parties, this is the perfect place. Located on the 26 & 27th floor, many music stars come here to sing frequently and famous local and international DJs are ready to ramp the energy up every weekend. Fancy as it seems, if you don’t reserve in advance, you might even have difficulty getting a space to stand, much less sit, especially at weekends. Chill also have a restaurant on the 27th floor called 27 Grill, separate from the Chill Skybar that is outdoor on the terrace, specializing in steaks. So you can enjoy the view of Saigon with the outstanding Bitexco building before fill your stomach up as the food preparing time is quite long. Most importantly, men coming here have to wear trousers and shoes, wear shorts and slippers and the securities won’t let you in. As for women, high heels are not recommended since you have to stand most of the time, unless you arrive here before 10 when there are fewer customers.

Website: http://chillsaigon.com/ (English)
https://www.facebook.com/like.chill.saigon/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED  (English, Vietnamese)
Address: #76A Le Lai Street, District 1, HCMC / 26-27th floor of AB Tower
Opening hours: 5:30 pm to 2:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 938 822 838
Price range: 200,000 – 550,000 VND

Mary Jane’s The Bar

Located on the rooftop of a building in District 1, Mary Jane’s The Bar is an ideal place for young people who love romantic outdoor space and photography. From here, you can enjoy a cool atmosphere on high and observe Saigon from when the sun sets until it glitters in the lights at night. The bar is divided into different areas with different seating styles and you will not have a hard time getting the chance to relax and enjoy the fresh air. There are also long benches and tables for groups with lots of greenery, flowers and graffiti drawings. Sadly, there are some minus points. The drinks are quite bland according to some customers and options are limited. This place is also difficult to find as there is no signboard at the front. So for the entrance, search for the entry of the bank, take the elevator to the 10th floor and take the last stairs up or you can ask the security.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/maryjanethebar/  (Vietnamese)
Address: #85 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC /11th floor
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 903 104 319
Price range: 30,000 – 200,000VND

Pandora Sky Lounge

If you are looking for a suitable space to watch Saigon at night, Pandora Rooftop Lounge is one of the best options. Being one of the first two rooftop bars in HCMC, located in the prime location of the city, Pandora is divided into two areas: hip-hop music indoors and deep/tropical house music outdoors. Prices here are quite high (a mixed-fruits dish at 490,000VND, shisha at 399,000VND, a cocktail at 98,000VND, cheapest outdoor drinks for a group at 990,000VND and food at 120,000VND or more). But if you come during 6-9pm every day, which is called ‘Happy Hours’, you are offered 50% discount on drinks & shisha and 20% discount on the total bill for food. Yet, ironically, the chefs don’t start cooking until 7:30 pm according to some reviews. And 6-7pm is the suitable time period for couples with romantic dates because it is not very crowded at that time.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PandoraSkyLounge (Vietnamese)
Address: #36 Bui Thi Xuan Street, District 1, HCMC / 14th floor of HDTC Building
Opening hours: 6:00 pm to 3:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3926 0455 – (+84) 938 222 324
Price range: 200,000 – 490,000VND

Cloud 9 Lounge (The Fusion)

Situated right next to the Turtle Lake, Cloud 9 Lounge is a perfect hang-out for tourists. The café is divided into 2 different areas. The 6th floor has a modern interior design in harmony with warm lighting, and the rooftop lounge is designed and furnished in a spacious, airy alfresco style. The roof terrace is fantastic, not the highest but what you find will surprise you. It is like you are transported out of the city and into a tropical setting, among lovely greenery with well-placed bamboo and plants. There are also private corners so you can chat with your friends in a more intimate atmosphere. Cloud 9 offers diners a wide selection of international wines along with beers, creative cocktails, and traditional Asian cuisine. Moreover, every Friday and Saturday, DJs come here to rock the place and bring absolute entertainment to everyone with music varies from half-decent dance music to average cheesy pop. But the main selling point still is the view of the bright spots of the city as the sun sets.

Address: #2bis Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC / 6-7th floor of Hai Nam Building
Opening hours: 5:00 pm to 00:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 909 445 544 – (+84) 983 160 521
Price range: 200,000 – 400,000VND

Shri Restaurant & Lounge

Located on the 23rd floor of Centec Tower, this modern, comfortable and stylish restaurant - café is the perfect place to meet up and enjoy Asian cuisine with panoramic views of the city. The word ‘Shri’ in Sanskrit means ‘light’, as this location uses transparent glass to receive multiple sources of light. In the evening, the place is sparkling with the light from the city, creating a romantic atmosphere suitable for couples and intimate dates with friends and family. Customers say that there are about 6-7 tables in the restaurant yet it is not often crowded. And for over six years, Shri has been famed for its delicious Asian and Spanish grill dishes, especially the savory and tangy goose liver paste dish, with the largest selection of international wines and cocktails.

Website: http://shri.vn/ (English)

https://www.facebook.com/shri.restaurant/ (Vietnamese)
Address: #72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, HCMC /23rd floor of Centec Tower
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 00:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3827 9631
Price range: 300,000 – 660,000VND

Café De La Poste

With a beautiful location in the heart of the city, next to HCMC Post Office and opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, Café De La Poste is a great place to enjoy coffee and have a date with Saigon. Being one of the rarest venues with a panoramic view of the most beautiful area of Saigon, its French architecture reminisces the beauty of the Pearl of the Far East, gracefully contrasts with the glittering modern buildings. Starting off the morning at Café De La Poste with a cup of Noisette coffee while watching the vibrant and liberal lifestyle of Saigoneses is absolutely refreshing. Café De La Poste is also a favorite destination of travelers not only for the view of Saigon architecture but also for the European, American and Vietnamese cuisines and the bar with an attractive wine rack. And don’t forget to try Vietnamese beef and vegetable stew (bò kho) and shredded pork skin bánh mì – two most positively rated dishes here. Sadly, a few customers were displeased at the slow service when having to wait for 10-15 minutes for food and some unattentive waiters. Yet, why not come here to admire the view and see if those complaints are true?

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cafedelapostevietnam/ (Vietnamese)

Address: #2 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3823 1634
Price range: 49,000 – 149,000VND

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Cheo Leo

Opened in 1938, Cheo Leo is now the oldest café in the city and has remained practically unchanged ever since. The name ‘Cheo Leo’, which means ‘high and dangerous’ in Vietnamese, was due to the fact that the café was miles away from downtown when first built. Before Reunification Day, it was a favorite venue among students of Saigon’s high schools for the gifted such as Pétrus Ky (former name of Le Hong Phong), Chu Van An, Kien Thiet and many famous artists at that time. Presently, it is a preferred drink stop of many foreigners, expats and locals aspiring for a reminder of what Vietnamese coffee used to taste like. The process of making coffee is infinitely elaborate and meticulous. To have a good batch of coffee, tap water must be stored in a tank for 2-3 days to get rid of unwanted smell of disinfectants in water because of which determines the fragrance of coffee. Then the finely ground coffee will be put into a strainer and go through two filtration to produce a perfect cup of coffee. Notably, the best-known drink here is ‘bạc xỉu’- a Chinese-style coffee with a huge amount of condensed milk.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cheoleocafe/ (Vietnamese)
Address: #109/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Ward 2, District 3, HCMC
Opening hours: 5:15 am to 6:45 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 1669 626 363
Price range: 8,000 – 15,000VND

2. Chiêu

Built in 1969, through numerous events, Chieu Café has been an iconic symbol for the persistence of Saigon’s coffee culture. The major space of the first floor, considered as Chieu’s ‘soul’, still remains intact, including its furniture and colors. With the interior design full of warm colors, the blend of orange and brown, Chieu Café gives you immensely comfortable vibe. Later, when the shop has more customers, the owner requisitioned the second floor as a small music stage. As the background is filled with music written by Vietnamese famous composers such as Ngo Thuy Mien, Vu Thanh An and Trinh Cong Son, the beautiful green lianas, and ornamental trees make it comfortable to stay for a while. The menu varies from many types of juices, coffee, cocktails to Vietnamese cuisine for breakfast and lunch.

Address: #124/1 Cao Thang Street, Ward 4, District 3, HCMC
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3839 3217
Price range: 25,000 – 75,000VND

3. Âm Phủ

This was the first café in Saigon that was set on a trolley, has no official name, no brand and no stop for a long period of over 60 years. Therefore, it has such a creepy name Âm Phủ, or Hell café, called by its repeated customers. In Mr. Dang Ngoc Con’s memory, his father began pushing a trolley to the road to sell coffee during the French colonization in the mid-1950s. Then he followed his father’s footsteps and started a small business together with his wife. The coffee trolley is now set inside their small house along with one or two plastic stools and some more outside in the alley after sunset, when there is much more people’s arrival to enjoy this signature coffee.

Address: #330/2 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Price range: 15,000 – 40,000VND

4. Mr. Thanh’s

Mr. Luu Nhan Thanh, a Chinese-Vietnamese man in his 70s, is a coffee lover who used to make coffee for himself and some neighbors every morning. Then one day, one of them proposed a brilliant idea to open a coffee shop and now, the coffee shop has been opened for more than 30 years in the Chinatown of District 11. Like Âm Phủ café, this café has no signboard and is poorly-equipped with only a couple of wooden tables and stools. Yet, the neighbors are still able to find the place by following the combined smell of sweet coffee and firewood smoke. On a daily basis, he always gets up early at 5 am to light up a charcoal stove to boil water, put coffee powder in a racket kept inside a pot and pour in boiled water. After a few minutes, the coffee is poured into a steel kettle, which is heated on the stove before bringing to his very first customers, and many people also call this process coffee-braising. And the result is a fragrant cup of coffee with surprisingly cheap price unchanged for more than 3 decades. There is also a small diner near the shop with just VND 20,000 for a bowl of Chinese-style glass noodles. Then, what is more refreshing than kicking off your day with a bowl of hot noodles and a cup of Saigon coffee with just VND 30,000?

Address: Alley 313 Tan Phuoc Street, District 11 / Behind Thiếc Market
Opening hours: 6:00 am to 17:00 pm (Everyday)
Price range: 4,000VND – 10,000VND

5. Bâng Khuâng

The oldest coffee shop in the red basalt area called Bang Khuang (opened in 1967 at 176 Phan Boi Chau Street, Buon Ma Thuot City) was brought to Saigon by the daughter of the owner. In Vietnamese, ‘Bang Khuang’ is a dazing emotion of human, but here it’s the name of a beautiful purple flower known as Angelonia goyazensis in Latin. Renovated from an apartment in an old building, the path to the café are faded stairs. A nostalgic space with old floral tiles, old bookshelves, and tall, open ceilings. Its simple interior decor with paintings, bicycles, plant baskets hung on the wall are arranged randomly, making customers feel like visiting a close friend’s home. Interestingly, the cuckoo sound will resound whenever someone pushes the door in. The café is on a one-way street so it’s a bit inconvenient that you have to take a detour. Parking is free but just keep in mind to get the free parking ticket at the cashier after paying your bill!

Address: #9 Thai Van Lung Street, District 1, HCMC / 2nd floor
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 903 878 667
Price range: 40,000 – 110,000VND