What is special about Vietnamese coffee?

Saigon is famous for its vibrant lifestyle and a paradise of strong Vietnamese coffee cups with a unique culinary culture. Let us take you on a journey to discover the typical coffee drinks in Saigon, Vietnam.

1. Vietnamese Coffee - A unique local culture:

Coffee seeds were introduced to Vietnam in the 1950s during the French colonial period. Over time, they have become increasingly popular and widely produced, becoming one of the top coffee-growing countries in the world.

Initially, coffee was only for the aristocracy, French officials and intellectuals. Over time, it has gradually become more popular and permeated the lifestyle and local culture of Saigon, creating connections between social classes. It is not difficult to see early morning gatherings in Vietnam, sipping coffee, meditating, reading newspapers, listening to music or chatting with friends.

Although not luxurious, it is hard for anyone to resist the taste of Vietnamese coffee, from the pure bitterness of "black coffee" to the sweet aftertaste of "milk coffee", you will be overwhelmed by this rustic but charming taste.

2. Coffee Culture in Saigon:

The more surprising thing about coffee culture is that each region in Vietnam has its unique characteristics. And the special feature of coffee culture in Saigon is "Saigon Street Coffee".

You will easily come across images of "groups of five - seven" sitting on street corners, bustling sidewalks or small alleys with simple tables and chairs with hot filter coffee, iced milk coffee, chatting, eating breakfast and starting a new day. From simple mornings like that of the people of Saigon to romantic meetings and dates, coffee is always "present" and helps connect with the familiar, close atmosphere. No one knows when this title became a unique cultural feature of the local people here.

3. What is different about enjoying coffee in Saigon?

The way Vietnamese people enjoy coffee is relatively different, slower than in Western countries. Currently, there are many ways to enjoy coffee, but the most typical are "cà phê phin" (drip coffee) and "cà phê vợt" (sock coffee).

• Cà phê phin (Drip coffee)

For some people, the best cup of coffee must be brewed with a filter to extract the pure, bitter taste fully. With the finished cup of coffee, black coffee will be enjoyed with its original bitter, rich taste mixed with a little sweetness from sugar and maybe a little ice. Coffee "fans" who love a sweeter and lighter taste will mix it with condensed milk.

• Cà phê vợt (Sock coffee)

In Saigon, there is another unique coffee experience with a long history:  cà phê vợt (sock coffee). This will be a "must-try" drink for any tourist who wants to discover a truly local experience.

This way of enjoying coffee originated from a Vietnamese of Chinese origin and has spread to many generations of coffee lovers in Saigon because of its gentle flavor and eye-catching manual operations. However, there are very few shops that still maintain this method due to the complexity and manual operations during processing. After the coffee beans are roasted and ground by hand, they will be put into a cloth sieve in a clay pot and brewed with boiling water. Using boiling water directly from charcoal creates the characteristic flavor of filter coffee that makes users "nostalgic".

4. Vietnamese Coffee in Modern Life:

The Vietnamese coffee culture today has also changed somewhat, incorporating many beautiful aspects of international coffee culture. Good coffee is no longer just a cup of properly brewed filter coffee but also “appealing to the eye”. Therefore, the way of making coffee has also changed a lot from the brewing technique to the increasingly diverse quality of ingredients. It can be said that: “Vietnamese coffee culture in general, especially in Saigon, has transformed from a pure taste culture to a culture of enjoyment in both taste and sight”.

Adapting to the times, Vietnamese coffee now has many new ways of making and enjoying such as Chemex, Aeropress, Kalita, Ice drip, Nitro cold brew,... Although the methods are more complex and unique, the ancient cultural beauty of Vietnamese coffee is still present and has not faded in the hearts of coffee lovers.

For today's youth, "going to a coffee shop" is not only a morning habit but can be any time of the day. For them, in addition to enjoying drinks, going to a coffee shop is also an opportunity to gather, meet friends, work or simply enjoy a unique space. Therefore, today there are many beautiful coffee shops in District 1, Saigon that offer unique architectural spaces suitable for many needs such as pet coffee shops, book coffee shops, working coffee shops, "inbed" coffee shops, etc.

So what is your modern coffee preference? Are you looking for a coffee shop that has both delicious Vietnamese coffee from the past and present, has a unique space suitable for check-in but is also quiet for meetings, work, etc.?

5. Unique Cafés in Saigon - Bason Café Chain in District 1:

Bason Café District 1 is a typical example of the intersection and is not only "strange" in terms of architectural space, but also "unique" in terms of the story behind it. Located right in the heart of District 1, Bason Café currently has 3 branches with design inspiration from historical, cultural, and Indigenous heritage values, each branch will open up a separate world with unique experiences, let's explore!

• Bason Café Dong Khoi, where heritage connects emotions with unique coffee experiences.

Address: 6-8 Ho Huan Nghiep, District 1, HCMC  

Menu: from 55,000 VND ++ (serving food all day)

Opening hours: 07:00 - 22:00

More info: https://silverlandhotels.com/bason-cafe-dong-khoi

Located on the ground floor of the luxurious 5-star hotel - The Myst Dong Khoi, Bason Café is considered a miniature museum, preserving the historical vestiges of the famous Ba Son Shipyard such as anchors, wooden stakes, tiled roofs and shipbuilding accessories that are centuries old. The exhibits are delicately and skillfully arranged in a cool green space, Bason creates a unique intersection between the past and the present, between history and the future, both nostalgic and peaceful in the bustling streets of the city.

• Bason Café - A beautiful and tranquil start to the day with a perfect cup of coffee.

Address: 28-30 Thi Sach, District 1, HCMC  

Menu: from 55,000 VND ++ (serving food all day)

Opening hours: 07:00 - 22:00

More info:https://silverlandhotels.com/bason-cafe-thi-sach

Bason Café Thi Sach brings a dreamy, peaceful feeling with leisurely, relaxed moments watching the streets with a cup of fragrant coffee. This place is not only a place to enjoy special coffee drinks and delicious dishes; but also a meeting place for souls who are passionate about the beauty of Saigon past and present. Come to Bason Café Thi Sach to experience a "Dream Saigon" in the heart of the bustling, hurried city.

• Bason Café Bến Thành - Experience artistic and innovative Saigon coffee.

Address: 15-17 Nguyễn An Ninh, District 1, HCMC  

Menu: from 55,000 VND ++ (serving food all day)

Opening hours: 07:00 - 22:00

More info: https://silverlandhotels.com/bason-cafe-ben-thanh

Situated next to the West Gate of Ben Thanh Market - on the ground floor of Silverland Ben Thanh Hotel, this branch has a unique architecture that does not follow any pattern, bringing an artistic and innovative cafe experience. The mysterious contemporary space with earthy pink tones is both attractive and curious, while also warm and intimate. Especially impressive with outstanding design details such as the ceiling made from a collection of old air conditioners, the skylight from the bottom of glass bottles, or the corner displaying antique sewing machines, making this place an ideal destination not only for coffee lovers but also for those who want to explore unique art and design.

With a luxurious space in a high-class hotel in District 1, professional service style and always guaranteed product quality, Bason Café is not only a place to enjoy delicious coffee but also a "bridge" to enjoy the beauty of local cultural lifestyle as well as Saigon coffee culture. This is also an ideal place to work, meet friends or simply find a quiet corner to read and work for you when looking for a location "beautiful cafe in District 1" or "quiet cafe" in Saigon.