Discover 5 serene cafes in Hue

During my week-long stay in Hue, almost every day I made it a point to visit some of its charming cafes, both to meet deadlines and to bask in the comforting ambiance that Hue offers. Here are a few cafes that offer a sense of tranquility which I found particularly captivating and I believe you should give them a try when you return to this ancient capital.

1. Mother - Tan

When in Hue, my first stop was at Mother café. The simplicity of the name 'Mother' struck me - it felt familiar, unpretentious, and sincere. Mother is not extravagant; it holds a touch of nostalgia, simplicity, yet it exudes a warmth that is inexplicable. I stood in awe for a few seconds just gazing at the word 'Mother'. One word is enough to evoke the images of the great mothers of Vietnam and the mother of my own life journey.

A beauty tinged with antiquity that is not easily found

Yesterday, Tan café was too crowded, so I went to Mother and waited. Tan café is right next to Mother. Mother - Tan, Tan - Mother, doesn't this connection sound intriguing!? 'Mother' silently stands next to a 'Tan' with a hint of urgency. It truly made me think of the sacrifices made by mothers in this life. I likened this seemingly strange yet intimate pairing to the 'flow' of endless lives.

A distinctively intimate personality trait

After spending some time at Mother, I headed over to Tan café

Tan Cafe embraces an Industrial style with its walls of exposed brick and broken tiles, complemented by wood and metal materials of substantial size, reminiscent of old factories from the previous century. Purposeful arrangement has created an ambiance blending modern life with an industrial space that is alluring, robust, and carries a hint of nostalgia.

The weathered walls of cement with patches of crumbling mortar evoke an artistic blend of the past century's ambience

Tan Cafe boasts an incredibly spacious area, especially the central zone with its high ceiling creating a sense of openness and comfort. Taking photos in this corner, bathed in natural light, is simply stunning. With a space like this, Tan Cafe is perfect for gathering with friends, chatting, and indulging in some Instagram-worthy moments.

Just lift your camera and snap away

A quaint corner of Tan Cafe

In general, both Mother and Tan cafes offer tasteful decor, catering well to my preferences, and the prices are quite affordable for such atmospheres. Tan's menu provides a wider selection for you to choose from. While at Mother, I couldn't help but express my surprise at how delicious the coffee was yet priced at only 18,000 VND!? So if you're in Hue, be sure to stop by here to experience the 'flow' that I want to talk about here!

2. Giao

My first impression upon arriving at Giao was a quaint old house reminiscent of the modernized homes around 2007, with a porch, floral tiles, and a courtyard in a somewhat dimly lit space. Giao evoked a certain timeless essence of Hue that hasn't changed over the years. Occasionally, I whimsically liken Giao to a place of 'escaping modernity, seeking tranquility'

Giao is decorated in a classical style

If you've visited Hue, you must stop by Giao to try the Salt Coffee because it's a signature drink of Hue, with the pure taste of coffee, blended with a hint of saltiness, infused with rich creamy milk, sure to captivate your taste buds.

A cup of salted milk coffee for a pleasant afternoon

However, I'm not confident enough to say that the salt coffee at Giao is the best in this ancient capital; there are many more famous cafes. But if you get to sit in such an 'old' space, sipping a signature drink, you'll understand why I'm so enchanted by this place.

Besides its characteristic salt coffee, you can come here as a way to return to where we started. In a fast-paced era, returning to primitive materials somewhat helps us feel more healed.

Coffee isn't just a beverage; sometimes, it's a whole story

In addition to the signature salt coffee, Giao's menu is also diverse and reasonably priced. The staff here are super cute and enthusiastic too. A café worth visiting for this trip to the ancient capital.

They sell takeaway coffee here

3. De.hiên

De.Hiên is a garden-style café decorated in a minimalist manner. While the décor may not be as striking as the cafes I mentioned earlier, with its floral tile floor and vintage furnishings, it creates a harmonious and comfortable ambiance, appearing simple at first glance but actually quite intricate.

A spacious area at Hiên

The space at Hiên is vast and comfortable yet not overly noisy, making it perfect for solo activities. The menu here is diverse, and the drink prices are on par with other cafes in Hue that I've visited. The staff here are adorable and overly enthusiastic, making me smile every time I come here. This alone deserves a perfect score for the café ^^

Chilling alone with some end-of-day deadlines

4. Gardénia Coffee n Bakery

My impression of Gardénia is the super spacious area here, the decor is quite basic but there are plenty of spots for Instagram-worthy photos. However, I feel it's not enough to create the kind of brand story I like. Gardénia with its two spacious floors offers plenty of seating options. The first floor mainly consists of low tables suitable for chatting and bonding, while the second floor with higher tables is perfect for work or for those who enjoy watching the streetscape, the passing traffic, with an impressive balcony corner. The design with interconnected spaces provides both privacy and a sense of openness and spaciousness. The seating arrangements in the cafe are suitable for both studying and gathering with friends on weekends. However, this might result in the place being a bit crowded.

Passing by Gardénia on a rainy afternoon, the sun just managed to shine through the leaves

A plus point of Gardénia is their iced milk coffee, which is quite delicious, just the way I like it. They also offer delicious looking pastries. Despite the crowd, the staff here are very enthusiastic, and the service is quick. So why hesitate to come and experience it, right?

A relaxing afternoon at Gardénia

5. Share Kafe

If you're in Hue and looking for a cafe to meet your deadlines, I'll definitely introduce you to Share Kafe. This is a familiar deadline-chasing cafe for everyone in this city, so it may look crowded, but it's not too noisy for an afternoon of studying or finishing up some pending tasks.

Looking at Share Kafe from this angle, it suddenly feels somewhat Thai-inspired

Share Kafe adopts a green-gray tone as its main color, combined with unique architectural shapes, blending a bit of classic and modern simplicity, creating a distinctive character amidst the heart of Hue city.

Seeing Share Kafe's logo, I was reminded of the mobile noodle soup stalls in Hue

Share Kafe's space spans across 3 spacious and airy floors, with the third floor featuring an outdoor area perfect for enjoying the coolness of Hue in late autumn. Moreover, Share Kafe's geographical location is also advantageous, surrounded by the Hue Citadel, commercial centers, and other tourist attractions. So, if you're visiting this city, don't forget to stop by Share Kafe and try a glass of coffee mixed with condensed milk to fully immerse yourself in the precious essence of this dreamy city.

There's something truly captivating about Hue in the late autumn days

In my opinion, overall, the cafes in Hue are all delicious and affordable, with flavors that I enjoy, especially that signature drink you can find on the menu of any cafe. Additionally, cafes in Hue all have a classical, vintage charm, evoking sensations of the quiet historical moments that have seeped through time. Whether a cafe pursues a particular style, those raw materials always linger around. Perhaps it's because they're crafted by the people of Hue, infused with a simplicity and uniqueness that's anything but ordinary.

Author: Vo Duy Khanh
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