Five coffee shops in Vietnam have been mentioned by leading U.S. architecture website Archdaily for unique designs and features evoking nostalgia and getting closer to nature.
On Le Thi Rieng Street in HCMC’s District 1, the Den Da (Iced Black Coffee) Café strikes the eye with its green-coated walls and red brown tiles, reminding old-timers of yesteryear Saigon and intriguing the youth with a glimpse into the past.
“Being inspired by what might have been considered obsolete by the young generation, the designer decided to utilize vintage and extreme high-functional materials and coloration to remind customers of the construction trend and social situation in the 90s,” Archdaily notes.
Ksoul Studio, the design team that worked on the café, said its interior design recreates the image of the old Saigon with classic materials including whetstone and terracotta tiles that used to be the main trend among most families in the city in the 90s.
Another highlight is the café’s clear glass windows that allow guests to watch the bustle and hustle of downtown streets from a quiet space.
Located in a small alley on Hai Phong Street in Hai Chau District, Da Nang, The 59 café used to be a three-storied house built in the 1970s that was used sparingly by its owner.
Architect Le Trong Vu, 42, who designed the café, said he came up with the idea of renovating the old house into a coffee shop in retro style with an eye on attracting young customers in the post-Covid scenario.
The design team tried to retain all the old materials including washed stones and ceramic tiles that were typically found in buildings in the 70s and 80s. A stone wall on the third floor was knocked down to allow guests to admire an ancient temple where Cao Dai sect followers practice their religious ceremonies.
Archdaily noted: “Although the idea of converting this old building into a coffee shop was to serve the needs of the young generation, the designer wished to not destroy the memories of the family with this house.”
On Lang Street in Hanoi’s Dong Da District, the Koi Cafe & Showroom never fails to catch the eye and has emerged as one of the capital city’s most uniquely themed cafes.
The façade of yin and yang red tiles made in the Bat Trang pottery village is a head-turner.
The American magazine notes the façade is like a “layer of film” that creates an impression and attracts attention by being very different from surrounding buildings.
Another unique feature of the café is that it has an aquarium where guests can watch and feed koi fish, and even soak their feet in a tank to get a fish massage. The fish massage costs VND100,000 for 30 minutes.
Koi, known as nishikigoi which is literally “brocaded carp” in Japanese, are colored varieties of Amur carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds or water gardens. They are considered a symbol of fortune and courage.
In the northern port city of Hai Phong, the No 1986 Café on Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hong Bang District takes inspiration from the “Mo Qua” (crow’s beak) scarf, a black crow’s beak kerchief made with heavy fabric that is popular with northern Vietnamese women.
The large brick façade that zigzags at sharp angles is split in the middle with a glass wall.
The café has three floors and its interiors comprise exposed brick walls, wooden shelves, tables, chairs and a wooden counter that bends along with the railing.
The Bonte Café on Le Hong Phong Street in Tan An Ward, around two kilometers from downtown Hoi An, opened last year. From a distance, it looks as though the café is overgrown with trees and other plants, but the effect is deliberate. The owner wanted to create a space that brings together people for coffee and communion with nature.
