No sooner had I entered this café than I was hit with an indescribable sensation. It felt like I was slipping through time. I was so excited, as if I had been transported back to the good old days. I’m not Vietnamese, and I don’t have the knowledge to fully explain what I was feeling at that moment, but I was undoubtedly inspired by this charming café.
Cong Caphe Co., Ltd is a Vietnamese coffee company and café chain. The name “Cong Caphe” is derived from Viet Cong(the guerrillas during the Vietnam War) or Viet Nam Cong San (the Vietnamese Communist Party). The concept of “Old Hanoi under the Bao Cap (state-subsidy) system” has a nostalgic charm that truly helps me relax.
Today, in Vietnam, it’s no exaggeration to say that CONG CAPHE is a major force shaping the country’s coffee culture. With strong support from the younger generation, the company continues to open new stores across Hanoi. Recently, it has been accelerating its expansion into other regions, such as Ho Chi Minh City, which has a distinctly different cultural background.
Photos of old Hanoi from the 1950s to the 1970s, along with various kitschy items, are displayed throughout the café. The textiles, unified by the design of the Chan (blanket) and Con Cong (green peafowl), which were used in ancient times, add a vibrant touch to the atmosphere. On the other hand, modern music plays in the background, showing that not everything here is rooted in the past. This blend of old and new seems to resonate with the younger generation, who embrace and enjoy the fusion of traditional and contemporary culture. It’s this unique combination that has made CONG CAPHE so popular in Vietnam.
Every evening, this café is packed with both locals and tourists. If you’d like to enjoy a more relaxing experience, it’s better to visit in the morning. The signature menu items include Cốt Dừa Cà Phê (coffee with frozen coconut milk) and Cà Phê Sữa Chua (coffee with yogurt).
I found four branches around Ho Chi Minh City, but my favorite is the one located on Mac Thi Buoi Street. This branch is particularly convenient for tourists and quite photogenic, in my opinion. Note: All photos on this blog were taken at this branch.
Here is a list of CONG CA PHE in Ho Chi Minh City.
274 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
08 BIS Công trường Quốc Tế, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
336 Trường Sa, Phường 7, Phú Nhuận, Hồ Chí Minh 72200, Vietnam
26/15 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 71000, Vietnam
6A Ngô Thời Nhiệm, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Do you want to see another Cong Ca Phe? Here is photos taken in the brunch in Ly Tu Trong Street. That Cong Ca Phe is oldest one in Ho Chi Minh.
Click here for CONG CA PHE’s official site.
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