A Culture Lover's Guide To 10 Great Cafés In Saigon, Vietnam

This French inspired, cushioned space of the Chez Vous Coffee Lounge opposite Ben Thanh Market is awash with pastel shades and muted, multi-colored bulbs. The interior blends a certain European 1970s living-room warmth coupled with contemporary lighting and a dash of Vietnamese décor to keep you rooted in Saigon. Their menu has an attractive range of Western and Asian fare, although many come for the fruit juices and smoothies, served in twee jam jars and corked bottles. Cocktails are also available. There are acoustic nights held some evenings and outdoor seating is popular during the evening hours.
Chez Vous Coffee Lounge, 4 Phan Boi Chau, Ward. Ben Thanh, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam, +84 93 748 45 22

The 2010 opening of L’Usine fashion boutique and café proved so successful that they’ve recently opened a second outlet. The original, based in the heart of Saigon near to the Caravelle and Continental hotels, sits in a huge French era warehouse space. The fashionistas’ first pick downstairs harbors global clothing trends as well as work by local designers, whilst the upstairs café serves sandwiches, cake, coffees and juice. There is also an art gallery showcasing monthly exhibitions and live performances. The new store has opened up on Le Loi St, on the strip between the Rex Hotel and Ben Thanh Market, but the original has recently expanded its kitchen and boasts a more extensive food menu.
L’Usine Café, 151 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam, +84 8 6674 3565

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Although the street outside may not be Saigon’s most salubrious, the four flights of stairs heading up to this hidden coffee spot lead you to views over much of the city’s downtown financial district, including the Soviet-Gothic façade of the State Bank of Vietnam. A small, leafy outside balcony at Mockingbird Café allows you to sit and drink while you gaze on the bustle far below. Inside, chalk murals and art prints dot the walls. The cafe is set in an old colonial apartment block, still lived in despite its frayed edges, and the shop’s atmosphere absorbs some of the raffish, unkempt charm sported by the rest of the building. Alcoholic drinks are also served.
Mockingbird Café, 4th Floor, 14 Ton That Dam St, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam, +84 93 529 34 00
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The Fig Café is a spiritually inclined and organically sourced hideaway, roughly a ten-minute drive from the city center. Like many of the city’s favored ‘garden cafes’, it boasts a peaceful outdoor space in which to hide from the diesel and the traffic complete with lotus ponds, Buddha statues and tropical foliage. The accomplished contemporary Asian design, both inside and out, is worth admiring. They specialize in oriental cuisine, mango salads, BBQ pork and sweet cakes. They also provide a selection of French, Chilean and Australian wines, as well as cocktails. The Fig Café has also announced that its boutique store will soon be selling decorative home items designed by local artist Dzung Yoko.
The Fig Café, 15 Nguyen Thi Huynh, Phu Nhuan District, Saigon, Vietnam, +84 8 2211 3544

The Observatory has relocated to District Four but still sits easily within walking distance of Saigon’s main backpacker area. It prides itself on its cocktail menu and lively schedule, hosting a steady stream of DJs, film nights, reading groups and art exhibitions. It aspires to be something of a cultural hub for young Saigonese and tourists looking to push further into the city’s eclectic mix of alternative entertainment. An information centre with a ‘Saigon Underground’ interactive map gives recommendations on places tour guides might not think of.
The Observatory, Lê Lai & Tôn Thất Tùng, District 4, Saigon, Vietnam, +84 8 3925 9415