A Taste of Nostalgia: 5 Vintage Coffee Shops

Locals in Saigon have a really strong passion for coffee. It is not just a beverage, but a part of the Saigonese culture. You can drop by 5 amazingly vintage cafés listed below to experience a mug of flavorful traditional Vietnamese coffee in a nostalgic ambience of Saigon in the past.

ÚT LÀNH CAFÉ

Being tucked away in a small corner of Pham Ngu Lao Street, Út Lành coffee shop is one of the main draws of the backpacker area. On entering, you may feel a very authentic atmosphere of the old Saigon. The coffee is decorated in a vintage concept, with many second-hand facilities once used decades ago such as an old-style cassette, a black-and-white TV set, a flower vase made of a used bottle, an old Vespa motorcycle…etc. Since the coffee shop does not have an air-conditioner or Wi-Fi connection, you have no choice, but keeping your eyes and mind away from the phone screen and having a nice conversation with your friends.

Cafe 81

Café 81 on Nguyen Huu Cau Street in District 1 encapsulates the appearance of a Vietnamese middle house in the 80s, featuring it a hideout in the vibrant downtown. The shop displays a vintage collection that every detail makes it so special to visit. You can sense the nostalgia through the old walls and its interior. Regardless of the limited menu on the chalk board, the coffee shop still remains the ideal destination of the young generation to take selfies.

Cafe Nhỏ

The shop nestles into an alley of Le Van Sy street. Inside the house, the owner decorated it sophisticatedly with exquisite collections like Tyrol hats, pendulum clocks, oil lamps, old radio cassettes, old model electric fans…etc. It would be a perfect shelter for anyone who loves the quiet space with antique stuff surrounding and sometimes surprised by the sounds of trains running on the railway nearby.

Cũ Café (Old café)

Cu (Old) Café is another quiet and cozy place to recall the past. Escaping from the traffic and chaotic streets, you can find the shop hiding in an alley of Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Tan Binh District. The name of the coffee apparently tells people about its concept, sitting and having a drink in this café is like flashing back to the old days. Customers are free to go for any seat in the house or even in the yard.

Saigon Retro Café

Located on the first floor of 55 Tran Quoc Toan, District 3, the shop can be easily found from afar. A humble coffee place that resembles an old building of Saigon. It is adorned with an elegant and smart arrangement of furniture and the café also brings homely feelings to customers due to lighting techniques.