Coffee haven within a heritage house built in 1911 in Da Nang

A charming coffee corner in Hai Chau district, once showcased in a promotional video promoting Da Nang tourism in 2017.

Coffee haven within a heritage house built in 1911 in Da Nang

Nestled behind paper flower decorations on Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau district, Coffee Shop 79 has been thriving for nearly 30 years in Da Nang. The owner, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh (60 years old), disclosed that the shop was founded by her husband's grandmother in 1989. With a distinct Central Vietnamese accent, Ms. Kim Anh shared: “Due to old age, my husband's grandmother no longer manages the business. The shop is now run by the family's descendants”.

Behind the petite counter, brewing coffee for customers is Ms. Vo Thi Thu Van (56 years old). Ms. Van and Ms. Kim Anh have been part of the family for a long time, both having married into it. Being retired, the two women of the same age have ample time to care for the coffee shop.

In a promotional video released by the Department of Tourism Da Nang in November 2017, this quaint shop was chosen as one of the enticing destinations to introduce to attendees of the APEC summit.

Established in 1989, but according to Ms. Kim Anh, the space of the shop lies within a house built in 1911. “The house dates back to my ancestors and is now the residence of the whole family,” she said. Even after more than 100 years, the structure still retains its original architecture, with prominent yellow paint.

Upon visiting the shop, customers will enjoy coffee in the porch shaded by lush green trees. They'll sit on wooden tables and chairs, some of which have been around for nearly 30 years. “Some new tables and chairs were added last year. We chose wood materials to create a harmonious atmosphere,” the owner explained.

Recalling the early days of selling coffee, Ms. Van mentioned that the shop wasn't as busy as it is now. “The customers were mainly locals living nearby. We also only served regular drinks, so we had a selective clientele,” she said. Then a few years ago, the two women attempted to introduce new drinks like iced cocoa but failed.

With a distant look in her eyes, Ms. Van continued, because neither of them had much experience in mixing drinks, customers mostly stuck to coffee, so the family decided to focus on selling this item. “Focusing on one thing and doing it well is better than doing many things at once but not succeeding,” she recounted.

The menu of the shop only includes coffee and a few soft drink options. The coffee is sourced from a famous brand and brewed fresh whenever there are customers. Amidst the old-fashioned interior, drinks are served in traditional-style cups and glasses, providing diners with a cozy feeling.

This address only opens in the morning and serves customers until midday. “As long as there are customers sitting, we'll keep the doors open,” the shop owner stated.

Many travelers seize the opportunity to arrive early and relish the early morning coffee ambiance with locals from Da Nang. Stepping through the small blue-painted door leads to a serene courtyard surrounded by low walls.

In the morning, golden sunlight dances on the paper flowers, peeking through the leaves, casting rays onto the aged yellow walls. For many years, this place has been a familiar destination for Da Nang locals and a memory for those who have been connected to it.

Source: Phong Vinh/Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour