Aromatic Delights in Ho Chi Minh City

Aromatic Delights in Ho Chi Minh City

January 17, 2025

Discovering Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City

Aromatic Delights

For those seeking an authentic, immersive coffee e

coffee cappu scaled — A cup of coffee in the morning sets the tone for a long day of work ahead.

xperience, Ho Chi Minh City offers a caffeinated adventure like no other. With its vibrant atmosphere, this destination promises to satisfy every taste

Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City is a rich tapestry of flavors, blending tradition with innovation. Its bustling street corners and elegant artisanal cafés create a symphony for the senses, captivating both locals and travelers alike.

At the intersection of tradition and modernity, the city presents a charming fusion of Vietnam’s coffee heritage and contemporary barista creations. A journey into its coffee culture reveals a spectrum of options, each with its own story, waiting to be savored.

Café with Milk, Salted Coffee

Embarking on a coffee expedition without encountering “cà phê sữa đá” -the iconic iced coffee with milk – would be like missing out on one of the city’s greatest pleasures. The metallic clinking of spoons against glass reverberates through the streets, alleyways, and markets, luring you in. This drink has become a timeless classic in Vietnam.

Robusta beans, grown in the misty highlands of central Vietnam, are ground and brewed, producing a potent infusion filtered through a drip. It’s a relic of the colonial past, giving it a rich intensity that will leave you alert and alive.

But the transformation doesn’t stop there. The bold brew is then swirled with sweet condensed milk and shards of ice, creating a delightful contrast of flavors. The robust bitterness effortlessly dances alongside the creamy sweetness in a sensory revelation that awakens the taste buds, making the rest of the world fade away.

For those on a quest for something extraordinary, there’s “cà phê trứng” -Vietnam’s famous egg coffee. This indulgent concoction combines creamy egg yolks, sugar, and coffee into a velvety, frothy masterpiece. Born during a time when milk was scarce in Hanoi, this drink now reigns as a symbol of ingenuity, turning scarcity into pure magic on the palate.

And if you’re seeking another unique experience in Ho Chi Minh City, look no further than “Cà phê Muối Chú Long” – Uncle Long’s Salted Coffee. Mr. Long has mastered the art of crafting drinks like no other. Salted coffee offers an intriguing balance between bitterness and a subtle brininess for those adventurous enough to try something different. Originating from Hue, the former feudal capital of Vietnam, this preparation reflects the deep connection between tradition and modern innovation.

The juxtaposition of these flavors mirrors the way the city embraces change while remaining rooted in its past -a taste that embodies what makes it unique.

Modern Enclaves, Artisan Infusions

In the heart of the city, modernity reigns supreme. Amidst the hustle and bustle, names like “Cộng,” “Phúc Long,” and “Katinat” beckon, their interiors blending industrial chic with cozy comfort. These cafés become sanctuaries for those seeking a refined coffee experience right in the heart of the metropolis.

Arabica beans from Vietnam’s Central Highlands take center stage in these establishments. Baristas turn the brewing process into an art form, carefully orchestrating each pour to craft something special. The result? A cup that exudes craftsmanship in every sip.

But coffee shops here are not just about grabbing a drink.

Street corners and market stalls adorned with espresso machines that hum and whir, creating rich, aromatic shots in an enchanting symphony of sights and sounds. The experience lingers in the memory long after the cup is emptied.

The fusion of Italian coffee culture with the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City adds another vibrant layer to the local scene. Over time, the espresso method—borrowed from Italy—has become firmly entrenched in the city’s coffee culture.

For as little as 15,000 dong per cup, these street stalls and coffee carts make coffee experience accessible to everyone. The blend of global culinary influences and local preferences showcases Ho Chi Minh City’s adaptability in its ever-evolving food landscape.

This robust brew, often enjoyed as a quick energizer, mirrors the city’s fast-paced rhythm. It’s perfect for those days when you need a pick-me-up while on the go.

Whether exploring the city’s historic quarters or its modern boulevards, you’ll find plenty of coffee options along the way. And no matter where you are, there’s always room for a rich, fragrant cup. Even with arabica beans, just like in Europe and beyond.

By Ngoc Tran

Other Articles

napoleon, history, war, france, army, power, warrior, painting, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon

From Ajaccio to Waterloo Following in Napoleon’s Footsteps It is nearly impossible to escape Napoleon’s presence in Ajaccio France. The power of the Bonaparte family has never faded, and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte remains an ever-present figure in the capital of the island of Corsica belonging to France. And when one visits Waterloo, not far from Belgium’s capital, Brussels, it is to imagine the final battle of the emperor often regarded as one of France’s greatest. Even at the waiting area of the international airport, a bust of Napoleon greets visitors. The airport, located about five kilometers east of Ajaccio’s port, has been renamed Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte, replacing its former name, "Campo dell’Oro." Once inside the city, one quickly notices that Napoleon’s statues and images are everywhere. He can be seen standing alone, alongside a lion, or even with a woman. There are statues of Napoleon on horseback, cast in bronze or carved from marble. At night, his statues glow under the bright beams of spotlights, keeping his legacy illuminated. Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, is Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace. Situated on the rugged western coast of Corsica, Ajaccio has managed to maintain a balance between its past as a fishing village and its present as an administrative center. This balance has made it a tourist magnet, even before mass tourism became a phenomenon. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, massive cruise ships regularly docked in Ajaccio’s port, bringing in waves of visitors who would flood the city in large numbers. In Ajaccio, we chose to stay in the foreign quarter, renting a spacious Airbnb for two. Since it was in the city center, the price was steep—$100 per night, double the rate of accommodations in the suburbs. According to historical records, the last 30 years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century marked the golden age of this international quarter, as Ajaccio expanded southward. Without taking time to freshen up, still carrying the scent of crowded airports and packed flights, we headed straight out to explore. Wandering through the foreign quarter alone was already worth the trip. This beautiful district is dotted with grand mansions, luxury hotels, and charming villas lining pine tree-shaded streets that stretch all the way to Ajaccio’s port. In the 19th century, many aristocratic European families owned second homes here, which is how the area earned the name "the foreign quarter." Napoleon is ever-present. In the expansive Général-de-Gaulle Square, which opens toward the harbor, a statue of Napoleon stands in Roman attire, flanked by equally grand statues of his brothers. Each figure exudes an air of authority. Yet the most fascinating sight - still tied to Napoleon - is the location that separates the foreign quarter from the rest of the city. It is perched on a hill. While a tram ticket could have taken us there, we opted to save money and embrace the challenge of a leisurely uphill walk, treating it as a bit of exercise.

From Ajaccio to Waterloo Following in Napoleon’s Footsteps It is nearly impossible to escape Napoleon’s...

Striking view of a Gothic cathedral tower, captured in black and white, showcasing intricate architecture.

A Very Big Christmas Tree

A Very Big Christmas Tree Back then, we visited many places, so we couldn’t make it back to the...

A very tall building with a clock on it's face

The Church With So Much Visitors

The Church With So Much Visitors The Strasbourg Cathedral, officially Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg,...