A flashback of the old time with 7 retro cafes in Sai Gon
When retro cafes in Saigon appeared so quickly and densely, there was a thought that it was plainly a trend that would fade away over a certain period of time. Still, the antique spaces, simple wooden tables and stools, along with melodious music emanating from the old phonograph have made those addresses become a spiritual taste for those who love quietness and look for a reminiscence contrast to the current splendor of this bustling city. Here are 7 Saigon’s vintage cafes for any nostalgia-lover out there!
Ut Lanh Cafe
Address: 283/37 Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Ut Lanh is one of the pioneering retro cafes in the heart of Saigon, located right at the busy Pham Ngu Lao street. The shop has a modest area with an outdoor space, ground floor and upstairs, all of which creates a harmonious and balanced complex.
The owner applied the original architecture of an old-fashioned house in the 80s, from the bed to the old TV cabinet, the cassette player, and a wooden desk next to the bed upstairs. At the bar counter stands an old glass cabinet displaying the snacks familiar to late 80s generations. The menu is quite limited, including coffee and drinks like iced tamarind juice, banana ice-cream, fruit cocktail, etc., ranging from 30,000 VND or more.
Nho Cafe
Address: 115/30 Le Van Sy, Ward 13, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
This cute little cafe is like an art museum more than a traditional house as it features a classic space decorated with numerous collections of ceramic products, paper stamps, film cameras, antique watches, mini bikes, arranged wily. The yellow light helps to enhance the retro ambiance, but it accidentally becomes a minus when it makes everything fairly dark in a few corners.
In front of the shop is a flower vine shading the outside area below where visitors sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. The rumble of trains on the nearby railway is also an attractive nostalgic feature of Nho Cafe.
Nam Muoi Muoi Lam Cafe
Address: 29 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
The cafe’s name is taken from the beginning verse of Vietnam’s traditional Hide and Seek game (nam-muoi-muoi lam means 5-10-15 in Vietnamese). Related to that, the shop wants to remind you of what came to you since childhood with woody round tables, lanterns from chicken cages, floored flower tiles, and yellow windows.
Drinks are basic items of smoothies, coffee, a few iced blends, yet notably, there is an accompanied menu selling daily family dishes, such as sour soup, braised fish, pickled mustard green, boiled meat, and so on. The food is put in clay bowls and dark-brown enamel plates, which are popular kitchen utensils used long ago. The shop also has a small green vegetable garden that is also the main veggie supply to cook for customers.
Lao Hac – Beer & Cafe
Address: 214/19A Nguyen Van Nguyen, Tan Dinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Next on the list of retro cafes in Saigon is Lao Hac – the name of a famous Vietnamese literary work. This two-floored cafe is designed mainly in cement and wood with a unified concept from small details of menu, books, music. Operated from an old house, the owner does not need to intentionally create ancient features since the shop itself is truly what it is, bringing a very authentic experience.
While the first floor is quite low and dark, the upper is more airy with a small balcony displaying some tiny tables and chairs. The confetti rig on the roof also helps to cover the sun well as customers are chilling out and overlooking the street. Lao Hac cafe has a diverse menu, serving both snacks and alcoholic beverages.
Saigon Retro Cafe
Address: 1st Floor, 55 Tran Quoc Toan, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
The owner, a man who loved the image of the city in 1965, finally decided to open Saigon Retro coffee shop on Tran Quoc Toan Street to preserve those beautiful memories. Many of the items in the shop are real antiques kept at the owner’s house over the years.
Things people often talk about Saigon Retro Cafe are the signs with old-fashioned fonts, cassettes and vinyl records, drinks, and the music of the previous generations, or even cai luong – a Vietnam traditional singing. Asides from drinks and beverages, the cafe also serves office lunches from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm daily.
81 Cafe
Address: 216B Nguyen Van Nguyen, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
81 Cafe is a vintage coffee shop that brings you back to a gentle old Saigon, with a hint of meditation and introspection. You can easily find the old Soviet sewing machine, the faded-color door frames, the iron table fan, little red envelopes, and the Shakyamuni Buddha statues. There are numerous seats to choose from, small corners for individuals and big wooden tables for large groups; In particular, the middle area is also designed with skylights to let natural sun rays shine through. You can also find the old Soviet sewing machine, the faded door frames, the iron table fan, the red and blue red envelopes, and the Shakyamuni Buddha statues.
The menu at 81 Cafe offers basic drinks – black coffee, milk, salted lemon water, priced from 10,000 – 30,000 VND. In the evening, there are usually acoustic singing performances by the customers of the shop.
Co Ba Rooftop Café
Address: 1st Floor, 2 – 4 – 6 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Inspired by the movie The Tailor (Co Ba Sai Gon), the cafe has recreated a classic 1980s Saigon in a fresher look with yellow-painted walls, bright-color wooden furniture and paintings, which are all elegantly arranged.
Situated on the central street, Dong Khoi, the shop is always crowded and vibrant. From the balcony, you can view the dreamy Saigon River on one side and the bustling city landscape on the other. Due to the prime location, the price of service here is quite high – at least 50,000 VND with a parking fee of 8,000 VND per vehicle. Guests can also enjoy the delicious Com Tam for about 80,000 VND/plate.
