Buzz
Snuggled next to a street corner, hidden within old apartment buildings, or immersed in a photography-themed ambiance – these were the captivating spots for many young enthusiasts in Saigon last year.
Exploring Unique Coffee Styles in Saigon in 2015
In Ho Chi Minh City, renowned for its bustling lifestyle, there are still corners where one can find refuge, undisturbed, to savor a cup of coffee. Here are 5 coffee styles that gained popularity among the youth in 2015:
Racket Coffee
Today's residents of HCMC are familiar with phin coffee or foreign blends, but few know about the unique coffee style called 'racket coffee,' a name well-known to the older generation. This style is preserved and nurtured by a select few.
Simplely named 'Racket Coffee' after the brewing tool, this method diverges from the norm of using a filter or brewing directly from coffee grounds. Instead, it employs a fabric racket to strain the coffee. The brewing process involves meticulous steps, demanding precision and an understanding of the formula to achieve the perfect coffee taste.
In Saigon, notable spots include Cheo Leo café in the Nguyễn Thiện Thuật apartment complex or the café owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ba in the alley 330 on Phan Đình Phùng street. Each place is run by experienced individuals with a passion for coffee-making.
Speaking of Mr. and Mrs. Ba's café, one of the longstanding establishments in Saigon, despite the passing years and advancing age, they continue to passionately maintain the 'coffee culture' alongside their old, smoke-emitting vehicle. The place only has a few old wooden tables near the vehicle; the rest is customers grabbing plastic chairs and sitting along the walls lining the alley. Yet, the café always attracts a crowd from early morning till dark.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban streets, people often seek a place to unwind. Rarely does one find a café where upon entering, you encounter a diverse yet familiar crowd. Because certain habits become deeply ingrained in daily life. It's also rare to find a place that fosters common ground between the elderly and the young, like here.
Café in Old Apartment Buildings
Locating these café establishments within these buildings requires some time. Mostly, after parking your vehicle below, you navigate through the aged staircases covered in the dust of time to reach the café on the upper floor. What impresses diners is the charmingly small spaces, the unconventional décor, the play of light and shadow inside the café, and the vintage tiles from years past.
Many old apartment complexes offer intriguing spaces like Tôn Thất Đạm's Bansky or Mocking Bird coffee shop, Ngô Thời Nhiệm's Fix Republic with a photography-themed atmosphere, or Pasteur's cozy Gabi, owned by the writer Gào...
Ideal for relaxation and a source of inspiration, these places are also suitable for gatherings with friends on special occasions or a weekend date for couples. The music played at these establishments impresses diners with various styles, ranging from gentle and deep to romantic and unconventional.
Nature-Inspired Coffee
Coffee shops adorned with nature as the main theme are well-received by many young people. Escaping the city's dust, patrons in these spaces feel the openness, tranquility, and a chance to immerse themselves in nature.
Many office workers seek these places for their cool and quiet ambiance, a perfect setting to relax after stressful work hours or discuss work matters. Nature enthusiasts also frequent these spots. The average price for beverages here ranges from 40,000 VND and up.
Artificial waterfalls or gardens with refreshing greenery will make you feel closest to nature—invigorating and fresh. Consequently, coffee shops with this style have gained widespread acceptance over the past year.
Notable addresses include Mầm Coffee on Lê Thị Hồng Gấm Street, Chiêu on Hoàng Sa Street, and the bird-filled café in Tao Đàn Park, BD Florist & Café on Lê Thị Riêng Street.
Takeaway Coffee
The trend of 'takeaway' coffee continues to attract a large number of young entrepreneurs and remains a preference for many.
This concept targets individuals with limited time to sit and enjoy, such as students, professionals, and office workers. Therefore, businesses of this kind are often located near schools, offices, commercial areas, or places with many foreign tourists. Typically, it involves a simple setup—a vehicle and a small, meticulously decorated store.
For just 10,000 – 15,000 VND, you can have a cup of coffee. Although different from the traditional coffee-drinking style, 'takeaway' coffee ensures the same quality and flavor. It brings new experiences, like waiting for coffee for hours or being impressed by a whimsical cup.
Modern Style Coffee
This is a type of indulgence favored by discerning customers due to its high cost. In return, you get to enjoy meticulously designed spaces, both in terms of concept and the intricate process of crafting beverages, and the attentive service. The style is primarily for those with a passion for beauty, like admiring art, listening to classic music, or savoring drinks in ornate cups within a luxurious setting.
Additionally, these trend-setting coffee shops often adopt a European style. They focus on interior decoration, especially the lighting design that creates a warm and comfortable atmosphere, with concentrated light highlighting specific areas rather than evenly spread. Well-exploited light and shadow elements become prominent features of the space.
Furthermore, details such as wall art, bookshelves, gallery tables, and intricate cups receive meticulous attention, leaving even the most discerning customers with little to criticize.
Some frequently visited names in 2015 include The Chai Coffee on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, The Workshop on Ngô Đức Kế, La Rotonde on Hàm Nghi Street, and Fly Ideas on Lê Hồng Phong Street.
Source: Vnexpress
***
Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour
MytourDecember 31, 2015
