Buzz
1. Small Cafe
Entrance to Tiny Café @ nhungthaiii
The space is filled with a plethora of vintage collectibles at Tiny Café @ buidinhchuong
The old Saigon at Tiny isn't just an everyday life Saigon, with porcelain bowls on dining tables, plastic tablecloths... but rather a slightly artistic classical space. Do you love photography? Do you enjoy vintage cars? Are you addicted to antique items on Lê Công Kiều street? Do you fancy pottery, collecting stamps, radios, or curved-screen TVs? Or perhaps you simply love to immerse yourself in the cool space shaded by the vine-covered pergola, sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee on wooden chairs and a table crafted from old sewing machines? If so, Tiny Cafe is your sanctuary.
Wall shelves filled with classic film cameras @orchidtruc
The vintage decor corner speaks volumes @mot_chinchinmot
That's why Tiny Cafe is one of the first names mentioned when talking about vintage coffee shops in Saigon. A little bonus for you: Tiny is located beside the railway tracks; sometimes you might be surprised by the sudden rumble and clatter from nowhere. However, many people admit they love it, even look forward to the sound of the train passing by every time they visit the café. Perhaps, the rumble of the train is also a unique attraction of Tiny Cafe.
An interesting spot for those who love retro style. @rinjap
The bicycle - one of the 'icons' of the café, hung on the railway fence. @cafenho_11530levansy
A living room corner with a curved-screen TV and a set of wooden chairs and table, reminiscent of old Saigon. @julie_nguyen77
2. Nineteen Fifty-Five Cafe
Located on Ngô Thời Nhiệm Street. @nammuoimuoilam
Vintage space with a hint of modernity at Nineteen Fifty-Five. @nammuoimuoilam
Old Saigon emerges here from memories, with old-fashioned chicken coops, worn-out wooden tables and chairs, window frames tinted with time, and 'tickets of childhood' swaying in the sun.
Visiting Nineteen Fifty-Five feels like holding a 'ticket to childhood' in your hand. @nammuoimuoilam
Even the menu books with framed reviews on old paper, the purple ink neatly writing the names of drinks, or the beige paper with food items printed in the distinctive courier font of typewriters.
The special menu pages of this vintage café @nammuoimuoilam
The drinks here, according to many reviews, although delicious, are not exceptionally unique. The drink menu includes only basic items like smoothies, coffee, milk, and a few ice-blended drinks... but in return, they serve 'home-cooked meal standard' dishes here. Though they're just simple dishes like sour soup, braised fish, pickled vegetables, boiled green beans... but they are seasoned just right, full of flavor. Especially, the dishes are presented in clay bowls, enamel plates, or ceramic dishes, always bringing a nostalgic and intimate feeling.
A hearty Vietnamese countryside meal at Nineteen Fifty-Five @nammuoimuoilam
The wooden tables and chairs by the leafy window frames evoke the 'olden days' of Saigon. @nammuoimuoilam
The spacious yet cozy ambiance, each corner carries the essence of old Saigon. @nammuoimuoilam
The café also boasts a small lush vegetable garden. @nammuoimuoilam
3. Nostalgia Cafe
A small but intimate space at Nostalgia Cafe. @lost91rl1nmel
In addition to vintage, the rustic style at Nostalgia Cafe is also clearly evident. The weathered cement steps in some places, leading up to the creaky wooden door that squeaks every time someone opens it to enter the cafe. The tiled floor, blurred by time, along with the patchy brick walls, give a distinct character to this classic-style cafe. The sepia-toned frames and nostalgic posters evoke images of old Saigon, harmonizing perfectly with the cafe's ambiance.
An evening coffee session at Nostalgia. @giangpth1
The weathered cement steps of the apartment building leading up to the cafe door also add a touch of 'antiquity'. @rfpt2
A small corner with minimalist modern style. @nhnmin
Here, they also serve office lunch, priced at around 40,000 VND per portion - an acceptable price range in the central district of District 1. As for drinks, Nostalgia Cafe serves authentic Buon Me Thuot coffee. If you're a coffee enthusiast, come to Nostalgia to savor authentic coffee in a nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere.
4. Saigon Retro Cafe
The retro vibe is evident from the signage alone. @saigonretrocafe
Interesting wall murals depicting vintage advertisements. @carmennguyen
The cafe exudes a classic style with the distinctive characteristics of an intellectual Saigonese living space of the past. @saigonretrocafe
Many regulars often mention these 4 things about Saigon Retro Cafe: the decorative boards with old-style lettering, cassette tapes and vinyl records, the beverages, and lastly, the old-school music. Interestingly, the cafe often plays non-mainstream music favored by the younger generation, such as songs by Trinh Cong Son, Ngo Thuy Mien, romantic ballads by Ngoc Lan, and even traditional Vietnamese opera. However, hardly any young patrons complain; in fact, many are getting accustomed to and gradually loving these somewhat 'vintage' tunes.
The scene resembles a scene from an old movie with the crackling sound coming from the old cassette player. @rayxiss
Many items in the cafe are authentic antiques, preserved by the owner over the years. Observing these silent relics amidst the nostalgic atmosphere and the sound of old music, this Saigon cafe becomes a favorite retreat for those who cherish the old charm of Saigon and tranquility. Or if you're hunting for a vintage cafe for your chic retro photoshoot, this is a great suggestion.
A signature corner of the cafe chosen by many young people for their 'insta-worthy' shots. @lephuhao
Visit Saigon Retro Cafe to sip tea, enjoy cakes, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of 1960s Saigon. @saigonretrocafe
5. Ut Lanh Cafe
In front of Ut Lanh cafe @ utlanhcaphe
Stepping into the cafe feels like returning to the grandparents' old house. @ jasonhan_photography
Three adorable cats lie on a large mat placed in the 'living room' of Ut Lanh. @ hoaanhsang
You easily find yourself in the old days through the hanging cupboard full of pots and pans used by mom, through the snack cart with all sorts of goodies, even including the small twisty balloons you loved as a child. And you feel the old Saigon through each wooden table and chair, through the out-of-fashion plastic tablecloth, or the printed posters from the nineteen hundredths...
Looks like being at grandparents' house when you were young. @ nguyenminhman2305
At Ut Lanh, you can find familiar snacks from the late 80s and early 90s generation. @ bigxntrouble
Old Saigon vibes, huh? @ reddandelion
6. Lao Hac - Beer & Cafe
Outside the cafe resembles a scene from a romantic classic movie. @ laohac_quan
The nostalgic ambiance recalls an old Saigon at Lao Hac Quan. @ laohac_quan
The cafe offers a diverse menu, serving snacks with cute and familiar names like: Alcoholic drinks menu is called 'Old sorrow remedy', and snacks are 'Old bits and bobs'... very charming.
Perhaps the common point of vintage cafes is such adorable menus, isn't it? @ laohac_quan
Especially, from the name of the cafe, you might imagine a bit of literary touch, so when you come here, you'll see lots of old and modern books. You might even come across an English - Vietnamese dictionary from your parents' time!
A vintage car is creatively placed in the middle of the cafe. @ christian_trannn_classic
This place has two floors, and the main decor material is wood, giving a wonderful feeling, especially for those who love the 'good old days'. The cafe often plays Trinh's music, blending with the peaceful atmosphere here, making it a perfect spot for a solo coffee session or with friends.
How about a weekend coffee at Lao Hac? @ laohac_quan
The cafe has seating areas on the balcony for street watching and enjoying the breeze, which is incredibly adorable. @ oh.emmyg
7. Cafe 81 Store
When you visit Cafe 81, make sure to check in with a photo in front of the cafe's entrance. @ nganshuu
The cafe owner was born in 1981 and hails from Hanoi, hence the name Cafe 81 and the serving of authentic Hanoi-style drinks. @ cafe81
The drink menu at 81 Cafe is actually quite simple, featuring basic beverages like black coffee, milk, tamarind juice, salted lemonade, soursop juice, but still many people frequent the place repeatedly, mainly because of the decor and ambiance here. Especially in the evening, when you visit Cafe 81, you can enjoy 'garden home' songs accompanied by the gentle strumming of the guitar.
The vintage ambiance inside this cafe is absolutely charming. @ cafe81
The wall adorned with interesting handwritten signs adds character to the place. @ cafe81
The cafe blends a touch of zen style. @ cafe81
A little heads-up, due to its nostalgic ambiance, the overall lighting in the cafe tends to be dim. You might want to tweak the lighting a bit to capture the perfect shot, or else your pictures might lack that sparkle!8. Cakes & Ale Cafe
The charm of Cakes & Ale Cafe exudes a vintage cinematic allure. @ a_m25
Incredibly laid-back vibes. @ myshelltran
The rustic charm here is even more gentle and feminine. @ xuannhunguyen
So what's special about Cakes & Ale? It lies in the very name of the establishment, as the phrase “cakes & ale” figuratively means “good things in life”. The proprietor aims to create a cozy space where visitors can only think of beautiful things. Cakes & Ale boasts a living room area - a true homey space with wooden sofas, a curved TV screen, and old-fashioned glass bookshelves. Beyond just a living room, this vintage café also features a kitchen. A simple kitchen, reminiscent of a “home kitchen”, exuding warmth. All of this is the proprietor's endeavor, to transform Cakes & Ale cafe into a place to retreat to whenever one desires.
The tranquil home-like ambiance at this vintage café. @maikahere
A corner reminiscent of bygone eras. @ shizi.lifestyle
The café boasts a rather unique yet familiar view: an apartment complex. @ heartinsaigon
Cakes & Ale also offers baking classes, for those who want to test their skills with sugar and oven. Take the time to treat yourself to a peaceful day, with a drink in hand and indulge in a sweet treat, within the cozy confines of Cakes & Ale Cafe's 'homey' space.
Head to Cakes & Ale Cafe for a relaxing tea and cake session. @dangkhoa.nt
9. She Cafe
The balcony hallway area is reserved for those seeking a cool and comfortable space. @ shecafe_
Inside, there's a subtle touch of modernity and minimalism that doesn't disrupt the nostalgic atmosphere. @ shecafe_
She is hailed as one of Saigon's cafes for... the fairer sex, thanks to its classic yet slightly extravagant decor that always evokes the image of a beautiful woman. Decorative items, especially the wall paintings, often depict portraits or imagery of female icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Julia Roberts, or Angelina Jolie.
A 'girl power' corner at She cafe @shecafe_
At She, you can opt to sit on small chairs with low tables; or 'nestle' yourself in a completely separate corner; or choose the cozy but extremely spacious armchairs that, when you sit in them, you'll feel snug and incredibly tiny in comparison.
The 'hideaway corner' in this vintage-style cafe @shecafe_
Sip your drink while enjoying the cafe's preferred classical music, especially in the evening when looking out through the windows with warm yellow lights gives you the sensation of being the 'leading lady' in an 80s classic, full of emotions.
She may be small but it's a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Saigon's urban streets @mp.trangpham
