Cover Amidst the frenetic movement of Saigon, coffee shops hidden within modernist 20th-century architecture offer an experience that is both familiar and unexpected—nostalgic yet inspiring.
Amidst the frenetic movement of Saigon, coffee shops hidden within modernist 20th-century architecture offer an experience that is both familiar and unexpected—nostalgic yet inspiring.
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Saigon’s coffee shops hidden within modernist 20th-century architecture are both familiar and unexpected.
Modern architecture in Saigon during the 1960s and 1970s embraced the principles of Modernism, with clean lines, an emphasis on functionality, and an abundance of natural light. Decades later, these buildings continue to captivate, their enduring appeal a testament to thoughtful, sustainable design. Rather than being replaced by steel-and-glass high-rises, many have found new purpose as coffee shops—a movement that not only reflects a growing appreciation for heritage but also reveals how the younger generation engages with the past through historic spaces.
From Linh Coffee Shop by Turtle Lake to The Cocoa Project, Sipply Coffee, Every Half Ngo Van Nam, and Keng Coffee, each venue has its own story. Yet they share a common thread: the way their owners have sensitively preserved defining architectural elements—exposed concrete walls, washed stone surfaces, iron-framed windows that welcome the sun, distinctive brise-soleils, and monolithic staircases imbued with history.
Saigon’s café culture offers more than just a place to linger over a cup of coffee. It is an invitation to step into another era, to embrace the charm of the past while experiencing the city’s creative evolution.
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The Cocoa Project Café
Above The Cocoa Project was restored from a 1950s modernist villa (Photo: Hiroyuki Oki)
The Cocoa Project was restored from a 1950s modernist villa (Photo: Hiroyuki Oki)
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The Cocoa Project in Saigon is a restored 1950s modernist villa. Rather than demolishing the original structure, the architects carefully peeled back decades of industrial materials, revealing the building’s inherent beauty.
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Above The tropical garden evokes a sense of openness, intimacy and poetry (Photo: Hiroyuki Oki)
Above Rough concrete walls, louvers, and a light-filled atrium define the space (Photo: Hiroyuki Oki)
The tropical garden evokes a sense of openness, intimacy and poetry (Photo: Hiroyuki Oki)
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The Cocoa Project’s architectural charm lies in its dialogue between modernity and nostalgia. A section of the roof was removed, enhancing the interplay of light and space, while open-plan areas invite natural illumination into every corner, reviving mid-century modernist design elements. Textured concrete walls, wind louvers, light-filled atriums and tropical gardens bring a sense of openness, intimacy and poetry. With an approach that respects the past, The Cocoa Project is not only a place to enjoy premium cocoa but also a testament to the sustainable value of architecture.
The Cocoa Project
143 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
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Linh Coffee Shop
Above Part of the original house, now home to Linh Coffee Shop (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
Above The nostalgic interior of Linh Coffee Shop (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
Part of the original house, now home to Linh Coffee Shop (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
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For those who appreciate both coffee and 20th-century Vietnamese modernist architecture, Linh Coffee Shop is not to be missed. It is one of the few remaining houses that still preserves the defining characteristics of this architectural era.
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Above The nostalgic porch area (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
Above Vintage wooden chairs on the porch (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
The nostalgic porch area (Photo: Instagram / @tiemcaphelinh, @bbao____)
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Set within a structure that embodies the interplay of concrete, iron, and stone typical of the period, Linh Coffee Shop distinguishes itself with a unique aesthetic language. Decorative elements such as patterned window louvers, washed stone walls with irregular grooves, and stylised arched doorways reflect the personality of the original owner. Today, these details infuse the café with a timeless charm, evoking a sense of nostalgia that defines its essence.
Linh Coffee Shop
26A Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Sipply Coffee
Above Sipply Coffee respects the original structure while offering a contemporary reinterpretation (Photo: Do Sy, Sipply Coffee)
Sipply Coffee respects the original structure while offering a contemporary reinterpretation (Photo: Do Sy, Sipply Coffee)
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Repurposing old buildings for new functions is nothing new—particularly as urban space becomes increasingly scarce—but Sipply Coffee brings a fresh perspective to the approach. The design carefully preserves the integrity of the original modernist structure while introducing contemporary steel-frame elements, creating a seamless dialogue between past and present. The café space is further enhanced by recycled plastic panels, integrated into an updated design scheme that includes new flooring, ceilings, partitions, railings, lighting, and climate control systems.
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Above A spiral staircase leads to the first floor (Photo: Do Sy, Sipply Coffee)
Above Retained iron window detailing, a distinctive architectural feature (Photo: Do Sy, Sipply Coffee)
A spiral staircase leads to the first floor (Photo: Do Sy, Sipply Coffee)
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Signature design elements—patterned cement tiles, pivoting windows, Art Deco ironwork, and vintage door details—have been preserved and reimagined as inspiration for the café’s colour palette, shapes, and lighting. A striking feature is the curved glass wall, set apart from the original shell, which creates an interplay of reflection and refraction, offering a multi-layered visual experience of the surrounding heritage.
Sipply Coffee
73 Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
First Floor, 200 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
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