Feb - 05 - 2026
The Cafe Apartments in Saigon are widely considered one of the most iconic symbols of the city’s vibrant modernization, meeting its historic soul. Standing proudly on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, this nine-story block is a vertical maze of creativity. At GTrip, we understand that navigating this "chocolate box" building can be overwhelming for first-timers. Therefore, we have curated this detailed guide to help you uncover every hidden gem.
Overview of the Cafe Apartments in Saigon
- Location: 42 Nguyen Hue, Saigon Ward (formerly Ben Nghe Ward, District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Most cafes)
Located on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Cafe Apartments are a former residential building that has evolved into one of Saigon’s most creative and photogenic destinations. Today, the aging apartment block is home to dozens of independent cafes, fashion boutiques, and small studios, each occupying a different floor. Visitors come here for coffee, and experience Saigon’s vibrant youth culture, enjoy city views, and explore a unique example of adaptive reuse in the heart of downtown.
The history of the cafe apartments
Built in the mid-1960s, the building at 42 Nguyen Hue was originally designed as a residential block for high-ranking US government officials and military advisors during the war. After 1975, the apartments were reallocated to shipyard workers of the Ba Son Shipyard. Over the past decade, rapid urbanization and the creative spirit of the local youth have transformed these living spaces into a commercial hub. Today, it stands as a living museum where rusted mailboxes and peeling paint coexist with neon signs and modern interior design, symbolizing the resilience and adaptability of Saigon.
The cafe apartments at 42 Nguyen Hue are a former 1960s residential building transformed into a vibrant vertical hub of cafes, boutiques, and studios
Unique architecture of the cafe apartments
The structure is a classic example of modernist architecture from the 1960s, characterized by its grid-like concrete facade. However, what makes it unique today is the "organized chaos" of its exterior. Each apartment features a balcony that has been individually renovated by the tenant, creating a patchwork quilt of colors, signage, lanterns, and greenery. From the street, it resembles a giant box of chocolates, with every "square" offering a different flavor. This contrast between the brutalist concrete skeleton and the vibrant, eclectic storefronts creates a visual aesthetic that is unmistakably Saigon.
How to get around the Cafe Apartments in Saigon
Getting to and moving around The Cafe Apartments is straightforward thanks to its central location on Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
- By motorbike: Nearby parking areas are available, usually costing around 10,000 VND (~USD 0.38) per bike.
- By bus: Public bus routes such as 03, 19, and 45 stop close to Nguyen Hue Walking Street, making this an affordable option for budget travelers.
- By taxi/Grab: The most convenient choice, with fares typically ranging from 30,000 - 70,000 VND (~USD 1.15 - 2.68) depending on distance and vehicle type.
- Elevator: Using the elevator costs 5,000 VND (~USD 0.19) per ride. Many cafes reimburse this fee when you purchase a drink.
- Stairs: The old staircases are part of the building’s charm and are ideal for slow exploration and discovering hidden cafes along the way.
Tip: During peak hours, the elevator often gets busy. Walking down the stairs after your visit is a pleasant way to avoid queues while enjoying the building’s vintage atmosphere.
Its 1960s modernist concrete grid becomes uniquely Saigonese through the organized chaos of individually styled balconies, forming a colorful, eclectic patchwork
Explore 9 floors of the Cafe Apartments in Ho Chi Minh City
Now that you have arrived, let’s begin our vertical ascent through one of the most exciting retail experiences in Vietnam.
Ground floor: Gateway to exploration
The ground level is entirely occupied by Fahasa, Vietnam’s best-known bookstore chain, making it an easy stop to browse books, travel maps, and magazines. Just to the left of Fahasa is a narrow, easy-to-miss entrance leading up to the apartments, hidden behind tangled electrical wires and layers of business signage from the floors above. Before going in, it’s worth stepping back toward the center of Nguyen Hue pedestrian street to take in the full facade.
- On-site parking: Reserved for residents only.
- Visitor parking: Available at the neighboring sites (15,000 VND per motorbike).
- Best photo angle: From the middle of Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
The ground floor is home to Fahasa bookstore, while a narrow, easily missed entrance beside it leads upstairs
First floor: Hidden speakeasy
This floor features PNT Beauty Salon, but the main attraction is the hidden Krystalini Cocktail Bar. To find this Prohibition-style speakeasy, go to the second floor, turn right to the end of the corridor, head down the rear staircase, and enter through the revolving bookcase.
- How to get there: 2nd floor → rear corridor → back staircase down → revolving bookcase.
- Ambience: Low lighting with rose-toned, upholstered seating.
- Beverages: A mix of classic cocktails and house signatures.
- Architectural detail: An excellent place to spot original features such as old tiles, glass panels, and ceiling elements.
You can enjoy cocktails at Krystalini Cocktail Bar on the first floor of the cafe apartments
Second floor: Creative diversity
The second floor highlights the building’s mix of different businesses, creating a lively yet well-balanced atmosphere. The most eye-catching spot is Gom x Nicotin Cafe & Workshop. It is a bright pottery studio combined with a cafe, thoughtfully designed with recycled wooden furniture and a peaceful vibe that feels removed from the busy city outside.
- Gom x Nicotin: Paid pottery workshops, ideal for hands-on creative experiences.
- Poke Saigon: Fresh, healthy poke bowls located in the rear wing.
Gom x Nicotin offers cafe and pottery workshops with a beautiful view of Nguyen Hue Street
Third floor: Culinary paradise
This level becomes a true haven for food lovers.
- Downtown Steakhouse: Wide-ranging American menu with steaks, burgers, and pasta.
- Oops Cafe: Minimalist cafe serving milk tea, coconut coffee, and Taiwanese-style cakes.
- Meraki Cafe: Instagram-ready interiors (drink purchase required for photos).
- HAC Organic: Vietnamese organic cosmetics and skincare, ideal for souvenir shopping.
- L’etranger/O.N Workshop: Women’s fashion boutique featuring Vietnamese designer brands such as L’Ete bags, L’etranger, and Bleu De Saigon.
Downtown Steakhouse offers delicious beefsteak and American dishes with a view of Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Fourth floor: International sophistication
The fourth floor offers a well-curated mix of coffee, vegetarian dining, and niche shopping, making it one of the more refined levels in the building. Turn left after reaching the landing, and you’ll find a second Meraki Cafe outlet, followed by % Arabica. It is a sleek, minimalist coffee space that feels refreshingly cool and deliberate. Toward the end of the corridor, the floor opens up to concept stores and a discreet cocktail bar, giving this level a quieter, more mature vibe.
- Meraki Cafe (second outlet): Bright, Instagram-friendly space near the stair landing.
- % Arabica: Japanese coffee brand using 100% arabica beans (no robusta). Espresso, drip coffee, soft cream, and well-designed merchandise are available.
- 21Grams: Vegetarian restaurant serving set lunches and dinners with East & Southeast Asian fusion dishes. Japanese vegetarian curry is a standout.
- The E.Y.E: Souvenir shop selling woven, wicker, and tote bags with English - Vietnamese graphic prints. It also sells mugs and hats (card or bank transfer only).
- Closete: Women-only thrift store specializing in clothing and records.
- Paddy-Noddy: Newly opened cocktail bar at the back wing (opens from 5:00 PM), described by its owner as a bar dedicated to the Saigon fashion industry.
On the fourth floor of the cafe apartments, 21Grams is a heaven for vegetarian lovers
Fifth floor: Organic elegance
The 5th floor blends cafes, cocktails, and local shopping into one of the building’s most well-rounded levels, popular with Saigon’s young, creative crowd. The atmosphere shifts naturally from bright, work-friendly cafes to intimate bars and boutique shopping as you move along the corridor.
- Meraki Cafe: (Third outlet) in the building, located nearby.
- Saigon Oi: Elegant cafe with a large balcony, wooden floors, and hanging lanterns.
- Madam Quyen: Well-regarded Vietnamese restaurant with two locations in the Cafe Apartment (featured in detail on the sixth floor).
- HAC Organic: Flagship store offering 100% organic Vietnamese cosmetics, including soaps, candles, skincare, and fragrances. It has English-speaking staff and is ideal for souvenir shopping.
- Saigon Fast: Nail and hair salon on the main corridor.
Saigon Oi is an elegant cafe with a large balcony, wooden floors, and hanging lanterns
Sixth floor: Vietnamese authenticity
The sixth floor feels calmer and more intimate, centered around Vietnamese comfort food and small lifestyle concepts. This level blends dining, coffee, and boutique-style spaces, making it a popular stop for visitors looking to slow down and enjoy a proper meal.
- Madam Quyen: Family-run Vietnamese restaurant showcasing signature dishes from the north, central, and south of Vietnam. Open kitchen, warm service, and walls covered with handwritten notes from international guests.
- Menu highlights: Com tam (broken rice), bun cha, banh xeo, banh mi, banh cuon, plus vegetarian options.
- Drinks: Coconut coffee, salt coffee, egg coffee.
- The Letter Cafe: Hybrid space combining a cafe, fashion boutique, and small cosmetics selection (also has another outlet on the seventh floor).
- 6even: A mysterious boutique-style accommodation or showroom space, often closed during visits.
Madam Quyen on the fifth and sixth floors showcases signature Vietnamese food
Seventh floor: Intimate hospitality
The seventh floor blends residential life with a few character-rich dining spots. While part of the level remains private apartments, the public side offers one of the most personal experiences in the cafe apartment. This is where cafes and restaurants feel more like visiting someone’s home than a commercial space.
- Buihaus Coffee and Workshop: A long-running “sharing house” cafe operated from an actual family home, offering soft drinks, beers, simple cocktails, desserts, and a warm, lived-in atmosphere.
- Michi Sushi: The building’s only Japanese restaurant, serving affordable Japanese dishes with playful, cartoon-style decor and a pleasant balcony for evening dining.
The only Japanese restaurant in the cafe apartments is Michi Sushi
Eighth floor: Retro Vietnamese cool
The eighth floor leans heavily toward cafe culture, offering a mix of familiar names and one standout hidden in the rear wing. While the front side hosts a couple of casual coffee spots and a beauty salon, the real draw is a cafe that prioritizes atmosphere over views and creativity over convention.
- Po Coffee: Located in the rear wing, known for its strong vibe rather than scenery. Its interior blends post-war Vietnamese aesthetics with a modern urban twist. Signature drinks include salt-milk Japanese matcha and pineapple ginseng coffee.
- The Letter: Coffee shop combined with lifestyle retail, also appearing on other floors.
- Good Day Coffee: Casual cafe with a similar concept, mirrored on the 9th floor.
- Saigon Fast: Nail and hair salon on the main corridor.
The eighth floor is mostly dedicated to cafes, such as Po Cafe
Ninth floor: Residential views
The ninth floor, despite offering some of the best city and river views in the building, feels more residential than commercial. Most spaces are quiet and lived-in, with a few low-key cafes, a home-style restaurant run by a long-term resident, and small service businesses scattered along the left wing.
- Good Day Coffee: (Second location) with a balcony and strong city views. It has a reliable coffee and drinks menu.
- The E.Y.E: (Second branch) selling colorful souvenirs. Card payment only.
- Ruby Beauty: Small nail and hair salon.
- 4K Hostel: Budget accommodation (limited access during visits).
The ninth floor offers the best city view from the building
Places to explore at the cafe apartments
If you don't have time to visit every floor, focusing on these curated highlights will ensure you experience the best this vertical village has to offer.
Relaxing at iconic coffee spots
One of the biggest draws of the cafe apartments is its wide range of cafes, each offering a different mood, design style, and drink concept. These cafes are worth adding to your visit:
- Sai Gon Oi Cafe: A warm, laid-back cafe inspired by old Saigon, featuring wooden interiors, vintage details, and a calm atmosphere ideal for unwinding.
- Buihaus: A small, understated cafe with a home-like feel, known for its relaxed vibe and quiet corners suited for reading or casual work.
- % Arabica: A well-known international coffee brand serving carefully crafted espresso drinks, paired with sweeping views over Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
- Oops Cafe: A lesser-known spot with playful decor and inventive drinks, often attracting visitors looking for unique photo opportunities.
One of the biggest draws of The Cafe Apartments is its diverse mix of cafes, each with a distinct atmosphere, design style, and drink concept
Enjoying stylish dining options
Beyond coffee, the cafe apartments also hosts several restaurants covering a range of cuisines. These venues provide comfortable settings for a proper sit-down meal:
- Downtown Steakhouse: A go-to choice for steak lovers, featuring generous portions and classic American-style dishes in a relaxed setting.
- Michi Sushi: A casual Japanese restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, and rice bowls, with a cozy interior and balcony seating.
Browsing books, jewelry, and handmade goods
Shopping at The Cafe Apartments leans toward boutique and artisan finds rather than mainstream retail:
- Nguyen Hue Bookstore: A well-loved stop for readers, offering books, art publications, and local titles in a welcoming space ideal for slow browsing.
- Tinh Lam - Jewelry & Artisan Crafts (2nd floor): A boutique focusing on handcrafted jewelry inspired by Vietnamese culture and natural forms, featuring rings, necklaces, and other refined accessories.
You can shop handcrafted jewelry inspired by Vietnamese culture and natural forms from Tinh Lam - Jewelry & Artisan Crafts on the second floor
Nearby attractions to the cafe apartments in Saigon
After exploring the apartments, visitors can easily walk to several significant landmarks within the Saigon Ward (formerly District 1) area.
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: The pedestrian plaza right at the doorstep, perfect for evening strolls, people-watching, and viewing the Ho Chi Minh Statue.
- Saigon Opera House: Located just a 5-minute walk away, this example of French Colonial architecture is stunning both day and night.
- Bach Dang Wharf: A riverside park roughly 10 minutes away on foot, offering breezy views of the Saigon River and the waterbus station.
Essential tips for visiting the cafe apartments in Saigon
To ensure a smooth experience without any unexpected inconveniences, keep these practical tips from GTrip in mind before you go.
- Elevator fee: Carry small change (5,000 VND) for the elevator ride. Keep your ticket because some shops will deduct this from your bill.
- Best time to visit: Visit in the late afternoon to enjoy a coffee, then watch the city light up from a balcony as evening falls.
- Payment: While major cafes take cards, smaller artisan shops often prefer cash or bank transfers. Having some VND cash is recommended.
- Accessibility: The elevator is small and sometimes crowded. The stairs are uneven, so comfortable footwear is highly advised.
Remember essential tips for visiting the cafe apartments in Saigon to have a perfect trip
Read more:
The Cafe Apartments in Saigon truly encapsulate the city's chaotic yet charming spirit, proving that the most authentic experiences often lie hidden within these vertical mazes. Now that you have navigated the busy ground floor and the panoramic views of the ninth, you have seen a side of the city that few tourists fully grasp. GTrip is ready to help you uncover even more unforgettable secrets on your next Vietnam adventure with expertly curated Ho Chi Minh City tours.
