You have probably not heard of Phu Nhuan if you are new to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. However, among locals, it is quickly gaining popularity with young professionals in the city. It is densely populated with people but also secret cafés.
Lesser known among tourists, Phu Nhuan is a must if you are into quirky cafés and stylish eateries. Whether you’re looking for a spot that reflects a specific time period, a region of Vietnam, or even a special art form, chances are Phu Nhuan will have a café dedicated to this theme. What’s best is that all these places have free wi-fi and are open from early till late, so you can easily spend a day there killing your to-do list, sipping amazing coffee, and making new friends. Where are the best cafés in Phu Nhuan? Read on to find out!
Want to get away from the motorbikes’ blaring horns and the crowded streets? Then head over to Café Tram, one of the city’s most wonderful garden cafés. As soon as you step in, you’ll swap the roar of traffic for sounds of gently trickling water and soft music. The rich greenery which you’ll find in every corner here makes this space perfect to block out the rest of the world and double down on work for a few hours. To keep you energized, order a refreshing cup of iced coffee or try some of their signature dishes and desserts.
If you’re planning to do a little work and maybe kick back with your favorite book after you’ve finished your to-do list, the Jade Bakery is a good place to check out. Tucked away in a narrow alleyway, it’s usually quiet during the day but livens up later in the afternoon when students finish school and people get off work. You can choose form benches with fluffy pillows, low stools or high bar chairs with a view of the street outside.
If you want to give your brain a break every once in a while and watch Vietnam’s interesting street life, this spot is the best. On the menu, you’ll find a selection of desserts which are all quite delicious. The signature treat here is durian cake, so if you love the king of fruits, give it a try!
Remember the troll face? If you loved it and the many memes it’s part of, this café is something for you. Step inside and you’re immediately welcomed by the characteristic grin which made this drawing so famous. On the walls, you’ll find many more funny memes designed to lighten the mood when the e-mail marathon feels endless once again.
The comfortable benches and the abundant plugs will make it easy to stick around here until your work is done. After that, you can head out to the nearby Trường Sa street where you’ll find plenty of great and inexpensive restaurants which serve up some amazing local food. Hope all that work made you hungry!
Hidden away in a little side street, the Fig Café is easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. While the entrance is low-key, this is one of the best working cafés in Phu Nhuan District. Pay this place a visit if you need a space where you can concentrate on your work, get solid wi-fim and have a good coffee at the same time.
Since the seats are soft and the music is pleasant (something you definitely can’t say of all cafés), you’ll be able to spend a productive day here all while staying comfortable. Looking for a place to have that well-earned after-work drink? Then just stay put and order a glass of wine from their extensive menu or try one of their signature cocktails.
An eclectic combination of bicycles, huge speakers, and cozy chairs and cushions welcomes you when you step into Moc Hi-end Café. Find a comfy spot on the soft bolsters on the floor or opt for one of the chairs by the window to set up your office for the day. If you get hungry while you work or need a quick burst of energy, ask for a freshly made Vietnamese coffee or order a quick bite to eat.
After hours, this café becomes busy with a fun crowd of young professionals gathering for an after-work chat and a quick coffee or beer. Join their friendly discussions and in a heartbeat, you’ll have plenty of new friends to hang out with while you’re staying in Vietnam.
So huge that it’s impossible to miss, Café Mien Dong Thao is a great place to set up your remote office for a day. Spread out over several floors, it gets busy but never too full and offers plenty of space for you to focus on your work.
Their coffee is known to be strong and their food is delicious. Menu items include Vietnamese specialties and some Western favorites. For a treat, try their sweet milk tea. It’ll serve both as an energy boost and a dessert.
For a slightly different experience, spend a day working at Café Palan. Its clean Korean aesthetic makes it the perfect place to focus on work because you won’t be distracted by a lot of funky design. The cool thing is, that the café spreads out over five floors, each home to a slightly different style and color palate. While some are quite minimalist and almost bare, others are decorated with photos of K-Pop idols. Pick the one that best suits you and get to work!
Need a little break to satisfy your sweet tooth? True to its Korean theme, Café Palan serves some delicious desserts including fluffy waffles with your choice of topping. If you’re looking for something savory, they’ve got you covered too. Their creative toast recipes are yummy and fairly priced.
For a solid day of work, head over to Thuc Coffee. Their spacious tables are perfect to set up a workspace and their chairs are comfortable enough to stay put for several hours. Thanks to its large windows and open floor plan, the whole place is flooded with natural light. This helps you stay sharp and focused even without getting a coffee every hour. To keep energy levels high, step up to their dessert counter and pick a treat or two, or order from their menu of savory dishes if you’re sticking around for lunch and dinner.
Down a small alley, tucked away from the roar of traffic, the Du Mien Café is the perfect café to sit and work uninterrupted for a few hours. Large windows let in plenty of natural light and the delicious ice blended drinks will energize.
The best spots are by the window or on the terrace (if you can bear the heat) where you can get some great views of the street and enjoy scenes of everyday life. Especially the motorbike maneuvers you’ll see can be quite entertaining. Alternatively, you can take a break from work and enjoy the sound of the gently bubbling waterfall in the middle of the café.
For a quick round of checking e-mails and making sure the world doesn’t come to an end because you replied late, Doi DA Vang Cafe is a great place. Its tiny stools and tables make this one more of a pit stop for those who need an injection of caffeine before carrying on with their day. However, this could be good as it will encourage you to get through your tasks quickly and carry on with your day. After all, there are so many more fun things to do in Saigon than sit around stuck to your screen.
If you like the cute design of Doi Da Vang Cafe and how it resembles a rural Vietnamese house, come back in the evening when fairy lights give it a romantic vibe perfect for couples enjoying an after-work drink.
Too many great cafés to choose from? You can always try them all, one by one! We’d be curious to find out which ones you liked best or if there are some you love but didn’t find on this list.