There’s no doubt about it: Ho Chi Minh is a city of cafes. Take one look at the city’s famous Cafe Apartments—a nine-storey residential building that has been transformed into a bustling hub of cafes and boutiques—and it’s immediately evident. All around town, quaint coffee spots can be spotted at every turn, each with their own unique, creative concept.
It’s no surprise, given the country’s vibrant, thriving coffee culture. As the second-largest coffee producer in the world, coffee is simply a part of Vietnamese daily life. A thriving third wave coffee scene has seen the rise of specialty coffee spots focused on high-quality, ethically sourced beans and meticulously prepared brews—the likes of which include Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters, Every Half Coffee Roasters and 96B Cafe & Roastery. Local drinks to try include the typical iced milk coffee, the sweet and creamy egg coffee, and the refreshing coconut coffee.
Besides coffee, a growing interest in matcha has also seen a fresh crop of teahouses pop up around town. And if food is what you’re interested in, you’ll find some of the best pastries and brunch fare in the city within these charming spots.
Ahead of your next getaway, Vogue Singapore rounds up the cafes in Ho Chi Minh City worth making a pitstop at—whether it’s for your morning cuppa, or for brunch with a side of people-watching.
1 / 8
The Workshop Coffee
High ceilings, concrete floors and brick walls lend Ho Chi Minh City’s first specialty roaster an industrial-chic feel, flooded with natural sun from the skylight overhead. Perfect for a weekend brunch or an afternoon of people-watching, The Workshop Coffee has all you could want in a cafe: excellent coffee, delicious food, warm service and a great view.
2 / 8
Grandmum Cafe
Nestled away in an unassuming alley, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this charming, quaint cafe for someone’s cosy home. Ran by Vietnam’s first AeroPress champion Le Dan Nha Thi—who’s always happy to share more about the country’s rich coffee culture and the cafe’s impressive selection of beans sourced from around the globe—Grandmum Cafe serves up a phenomenal cup of coffee.
3 / 8
Soko Cake Bake & Brunch
For exceptional brunch fare and decadent drinks, head over to Soko. From its excellent eggs benedict and pastas to its indulgent marshmallow-topped beverage concoctions, each of the cafe’s creations come artfully presented—as gorgeous as they are delicious. Don’t leave without trying the croissants, which are some of the best you’ll find in the city.
4 / 8
96B Cafe & Roastery
Taking a more experimental approach to coffee—with a particular focus on rarer Liberica beans from Vietnam—96B is where you’ll find excellent drinks with creative twists. Take, for instance, the Solar Cold Brew, which combines chilled coffee with ginger, lemon and rosemary. For a more unique experience whilst visiting the Vietnamese city, this sleek cafe also offers workshops where you’ll be able to try your hand at making your own Phin, egg and coconut coffee.
5 / 8
Little Hanoi Egg Coffee
Invented in 1940s Hanoi as a solution to milk shortages in a time of scarcity and hardship, Vietnamese egg coffee, or ca phe trung, has become an iconic drink all across the country. In Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find one of the best renditions of the sweet, creamy drink at Little Hanoi Egg Coffee, which has four locations across the city. Accompany your drink with the cafe’s Mango Toast, and you’ll have yourself a winning brunch.
6 / 8
Lac Teahouse
Hidden in a quiet street away from the bustle of the city is Lac Teahouse. A spot of calm in an otherwise busy city, it is here that you’ll find an incredible collection of teas from all across the world, from local Vietnamese teas, to Japanese matchas and hojichas. A curated selection of pastries and desserts pair perfectly with the teas, lending themselves to a quiet afternoon spent whiling time away in the beautiful, elegant space.
7 / 8
Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters
What sets this elegant, minimalist coffee spot apart from most is its focus on fostering close relationships with local producers, lending the cafe access to some of Vietnam’s best and most exclusive coffee lots. In particular, try the ca phe sua da—or iced milk coffee—which features locally grown Arabica instead of the typical Robusta for a drink that is rich and nuanced, with a subtle hint of sweetness.
8 / 8
Hoff Coffee Brewers
A short distance away from some of the city’s top museums, on the second floor of a nondescript old building, is Hoff. Both the coffee and the matcha offerings here are outstanding, and you won’t go wrong with ordering the classics. If you’re in the mood for something more experimental, however, the cafe does a great job at infusing the drinks with a creative flair—from Vietnamese white coffee with brown sugar boba pearls, to a sparkling matcha with lemonade and tonic.
