Buzz
Saigon harbors a unique coffee culture.
Stepping into a new land, do you want to discover its essence? During my days in Saigon, I sought the city's essence. Saigon's essence doesn't lie in a specific culture but in the small, nostalgic corners or the modern coffee shops beloved by the youth. All these elements create a rich, harmonious Saigon, blending tradition and modernity.
Coc coffee is present on many streets.
This is because coffee is and has been an indispensable part of Saigon's culture. Particularly, this 'Far Eastern Pearl' boasts an intriguing Saigon iced milk coffee culture. A cup of iced milk coffee subtly appears in street-side stalls, elegant restaurants, whether in the early morning or evening. People often sing, 'Saigon iced coffee, forever the same, have you tried it yet?'1. Vạn Kiếp Coc Coffee
Firstly, let's talk about the coc coffee stall. You can walk down any street, and you'll encounter a bustling coc coffee spot. That morning, I sat at the coc coffee stall on my living street, the one I'm closest to. The stall opens at 5:30 AM and closes around noon. Men opt for black iced coffee, while women often choose iced milk coffee. The prices are very affordable, black coffee at 10,000 VND per cup, iced milk coffee at 12,000 VND per cup, and each table is served with an additional aluminum tea pot.
Each customer is served an additional teapot.
Some liken the Saigon coc coffee culture to the bolero music of the Southern people, a genre loved by the elderly and middle-aged, and the youth who want to understand the 'old days' will listen as well. Our cafe is nestled next to a temple, with the scent of incense blending with the fragrant, pure aroma of coffee. The clientele here is mainly the elderly and middle-aged, with occasional glimpses of children accompanying their mothers to the market, enjoying a cup of coffee too.
The elderly, young, and middle-aged all enjoy the coffee.
In the morning, middle-aged men come to the cafe, order a cup of coffee, and buy a pack of cigarettes. They read the morning news while sipping the bitter coffee – a drink that Saigon locals believe can help them stay alert to kick-start a new day.
In the morning, elderly women gather at the coc coffee stall on the bustling street, sipping iced milk coffee along with everyday stories, tales of 'days gone by,' or moments of contemplation.
In the morning, women on their way to the early market, conveniently buying breakfast ingredients, drop by the coc coffee stall, ordering an iced milk coffee for a bustling start...
Coffee acts as a unifying force, bringing people closer together.
Saigon coc coffee is a simple, everyday cultural phenomenon that runs deep in the veins of Saigonese. The iced milk coffee is prepared with a simple method – a small amount of milk at the bottom, a bit of pre-brewed coffee poured in, stirred to create the characteristic brown color, often referred to as brown ice coffee. After stirring thoroughly, a few ice cubes are added, creating another layer of black coffee on top. And there you have it, a beloved iced milk coffee that captivates everyone!2. Phan Dinh Phung Vot Coffee
Next on the list is Vot coffee – a traditional brewing method once widespread in Saigon, now only surviving in two stalls. I visited Vot coffee, with a history of over 60 years. A familiar spot for Saigonese, the Vot coffee stalls of Mrs. Pham Ngoc Tuyet and Mr. Dang Tran Con have a unique brewing method: making coffee using a 'vot' stick instead of a filter like usual.
The 'vot' stick is used for filtering coffee.
With no big sign, tucked away in a small alley, adorned with small plastic stools as makeshift seats and tables, Phan Dinh Phung Vot Coffee brings users a deliciously aromatic cup of coffee that other brewing styles cannot replicate.
A rare find in Saigon, the Vot coffee stall still stands.
The brewing method, passed down through generations at Mr. and Mrs. Con's stall, involves using boiling water to clean the 'vot' stick before placing it in a certain amount of finely ground coffee. Next, immerse the stick in boiling water, stir it a few times with a spoon, then cover it and let it steep for about 5 to 10 minutes for the coffee to slowly infuse. The first batch of coffee is then poured again with fresh boiling water, repeating this process up to four times until the coffee begins to release a dark brown liquid and a fragrant aroma. It's only then that it is poured into a cup for the customer.
This is the traditional brewing style that was once widespread in Saigon's coffee culture.
The coffee is poured into a small, roughly folded glass like the way coffee used to be served, and each table always comes with a tea pot. I had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious and robust Saigon-style iced milk coffee!
The stall operates through the night, all morning, 365 days a year, including holidays and Tet, closing only once a year for 10 minutes on New Year's Eve. Some sit and drink at the stall, and if it's full, they sit on the sidewalk. Some stop by to buy coffee on the go.
The tiny stool used as a table.
The stall is a small house with a white tiled wall, featuring framed articles about the stall and a few pictures of Mr. Con. Several small, rustic wooden tables are placed against the wall. The 'mixing counter' is just a neatly arranged cart with the 'tools' for brewing coffee—old cups, aluminum tea pots, a boiling water tank, and the essential 'vot' sticks, the soul of these 'premium' Saigon coffees.
A nostalgic aluminum tea pot.
We ordered 2 glasses of iced milk coffee.
Amidst the storm of phin coffee, imported coffee... Phan Dinh Phung whisk coffee still holds a firm place in the hearts of Saigonese for decades. It's not just a place to enjoy a good coffee but also a space for moments of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of life, a place for someone to reminisce about the old days, where people listen to the stories told by the ancient trees that have lived through the changes of Saigon.
Outside the stall, there is a 'menu'.
Address: 42 Nguyen Hue Residential Area
Price:
3. Thinker & Dreamer - Saigon Coffee for Dreamers
Adding to Saigon's coffee culture are the modern coffee shops. I visited Thinker & Dreamer - a coffee shop for dreamers on a summer afternoon. Nestled in a 'forest' of coffee shops at 42 Nguyen Hue Residential Area, Thinker & Dreamer has something special to attract young people to come and 'indulge'. It is on the list of must-visit coffee shops when setting foot in the land of Saigon.
View of Nguyen Hue Residential Area from below.
The ambiance of the café is quite unique despite being located on one of the liveliest streets in Saigon. At Thinker & Dreamer, everything seems lighter, deeper, and more peaceful. Just like the name of the café suggests - 'Thinkers and Dreamers':
The small coffee shop is a favorite hangout for the younger crowd.
The café embraces a minimalist style.
The balcony area from the outside.
Overlooking Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street from the café.
A spot designed for dreamers.
Dreaming in white, Over the cloud, Pocket full of dreams,...
Thinker & Dreamer carries a uniquely enchanting atmosphere.
Beverages with catchy names.
Address:
Price:
4. Nhã Nam Book N’ Coffee
Nhã Nam Book N’ Coffee is a European-style book café nestled in the heart of Saigon with a spacious area of over 200 square meters. Book cafes are not unfamiliar to young people who want a space to enjoy coffee while leisurely flipping through interesting pages. Nhã Nam Thư Quán is an ideal choice for you.
It's referred to as the Bookstore of Dreams.
The book wall is a popular check-in spot.
The 'Bookstore of Dreams' is divided into various small areas such as Dove's Nest for souls that prefer smaller spaces, like the Hobbit Hole with a magical touch, or the Windmill Corner inspired by Don Quixote for gatherings with long tables and colorful chairs. Perfect for group study sessions, meetings, or the Green Corner Nook if you seek a quiet learning space,...
The café offers various spaces catering to different purposes.
Nhã Nam Book N’ Coffee features windows with transparent glass, and outside, brick squares arranged conjure an image of a house in some European sky. Upon entering, I'm immediately impressed by the colorful wall of books, each compartment housing different titles. The design of the seating area for coffee enjoyment and the book display tables is harmonious. Visit Nhã Nam Book N’ Coffee now to learn more about Saigon's coffee culture!
European-style vibrant window panels.
The café is always bustling with customers.
Transparent glass panels adorn the windows.
The restroom is also adorable.
I ordered a glass of orange yogurt for myself.
5. Trung Nguyen Legend - Alexandre De Rhodes - The Library of Light
Trung Nguyen Legend is hailed as The Library of Light. Trung Nguyen coffee goes by names like Legend Coffee - a special version of Weasel coffee, Energy for Success, Energy of Creativity, Energy of Ideas,... Each drink is a different type of coffee, with different roasting and grinding levels,... allowing drinkers to choose according to their preferences.
This place is referred to as The Library of Light.
Cafe named 'Energy for Success'.
I ordered the Energy of Creativity with the main ingredient being special Arabica beans carrying a distinctive, intense, and unforgettable aroma. Trung Nguyen's space is luxurious and sophisticated with brightly colored sofa sets, shelves filled with books, and white lanterns. Take a seat and savor a cup of Trung Nguyen coffee, you won't be disappointed!
The venue offers various spaces.
'The most delicious sandwich in the world'.
Luxurious ambiance.
A creatively decorated small corner.
What makes you love a place? For me, I adore Saigon for its unique coffee culture, a distinctive trait of this vibrant city. One of the 'Saigon essences' is undoubtedly its coffee!Author: Nguyen Thi Kim Chi
* Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
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