Top places for Vietnamese drinks – must try! - Language Link Vietnam Teacher Recruitment

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Top places for Vietnamese drinks - must try!

Top places for Vietnamese drinks – must try!

Ho Chi Minh City offers an incredible array of drinking experiences, from traditional Vietnamese coffee to innovative craft beers and serene tea houses. Here’s a breakdown of top places by different Vietnamese drinks types.

1. Vietnamese Coffee Shops – No.1 Vietnamese drinks

Top places for Vietnamese drinks - Cong caphe
Top places for Vietnamese drinks – Cong caphe

Vietnamese coffee culture is rich and vibrant, characterized by strong, robust brews often enjoyed with condensed milk.

  • Cong Caphe 

    • Location: Multiple locations across HCMC, including prominent ones in District 1 (e.g., 26 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward).
    • Highlights: Famous for its unique “military” themed decor, evoking a rustic, nostalgic vibe. Known for its delicious coconut coffee, a creamy and sweet iced coffee. Offers a great atmosphere for chilling or working.
    • Suitable for: Casual meetups, tourists wanting a unique local experience, coffee lovers, budget travelers.
    • Price Range: Budget to Mid-range (35,000 – 70,000 VND per Vietnamese drinks)

  • Okkio Caffe

    • Location: Several locations, notably 22 Le Loi, District 1 (near Ben Thanh Market), and others with great views (e.g., overlooking the Opera House).
    • Highlights: Stylish, aesthetically pleasing design, often featuring natural light and colonial-era windows. Serves high-quality coffee, including traditional Vietnamese phin coffee and espresso-based drinks. Great for people-watching from higher floors.
    • Suitable for: Coffee connoisseurs, design lovers, solo travelers, those seeking a refined coffee experience.
    • Price Range: Mid-range (50,000 – 100,000 VND per drink)

  • The Workshop Coffee

    • Location: Upstairs – 27 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 (look for the unassuming entrance and walk up the stairs).
    • Highlights: A pioneer in Ho Chi Minh City’s specialty coffee scene. Offers a wide range of brewing methods (pour-over, Chemex, V60, Siphon) with both local and international beans. Industrial-chic interior, great for getting work done.
    • Suitable for: Specialty coffee enthusiasts, digital nomads, those looking to try different brewing techniques.
    • Price Range: Mid-range to slightly higher (60,000 – 120,000 VND per drink)

  • Lacaph – Vietnamese drinks place

    • Location: 220A Nguyen Cong Tru, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1.
    • Highlights: Focuses on rehabilitating the robusta bean, often undervalued in global coffee circles, showcasing its potential for complex flavors. Located in a charming colonial-era shophouse, offering a glimpse into Saigon’s past. Sells beans and merchandise.
    • Suitable for: Coffee aficionados interested in local bean varieties, those who appreciate a historical setting.
    • Price Range: Mid-range (50,000 – 90,000 VND per drink)

2. Vietnamese drinks – Tea Houses

While coffee dominates, Vietnam has a delicate tea culture, with tea houses offering tranquil escapes and traditional brews.

Vietnamese drinks - Tea Houses
Vietnamese drinks – Tea Houses

  • Pham Nghiem Trai

    • Location: 199 Nguyen Trai, District 1.
    • Highlights: Offers a tranquil space for enjoying fragrant tea amidst ancient Buddhist statues, often paired with vegetarian dishes. A place to find peace amidst the city’s hustle.
    • Suitable for: Those seeking serenity, meditation, cultural immersion, vegetarians.
    • Price Range: Mid-range (Prices vary, often higher for traditional tea sets)

  • Partea – Tea Room

    • Location: 4th Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue, District 1 (on the famous walking street).
    • Highlights: Unique, simple, and vintage charm. Offers a wide selection of teas, including traditional Vietnamese blends and international varieties. Great views of Nguyen Hue walking street from above.
    • Suitable for: Friends looking for a cozy chat, tea lovers, those who enjoy a vintage aesthetic.
    • Price Range: Mid-range (50,000 – 120,000 VND per pot/cup)

  • Hatvala Tea – top Vietnamese drinks place

    • Location: 2A Le Van Duyet, Binh Thanh District (near Cau Bong bridge).
    • Highlights: Specializes in direct-sourced, high-quality Vietnamese teas. Offers tea tasting sessions where you can learn about and appreciate different local varieties. Has a showroom where you can buy teas.
    • Lowlights: More of a specialist tea shop/studio than a casual cafe. Booking in advance for tastings is recommended.
    • Suitable for: Serious tea enthusiasts, those interested in sourcing high-quality Vietnamese tea.
    • Price Range: Varies (from affordable cups to higher prices for rare teas)

See also: Bubble tea in Vietnam: Top shops with best signatures

3. Fresh Juice & Traditional Local Vietnamese Drinks

Fresh Juice & Traditional Local Vietnamese Drinks
Fresh Juice & Traditional Local Vietnamese Drinks

Vietnam’s tropical climate means fresh fruit juices and other refreshing local beverages are abundant and incredibly popular.

  • Sugarcane Juice Vendors

    • Location: Widely available from street vendors, especially in local markets (e.g., near Ben Thanh Market, District 11, Phu Nhuan District). Look for carts with a sugarcane press.

    • Highlights: Incredibly refreshing, sweet, and cooling. Often served with a kumquat for a tangy kick. Very affordable.
    • Lowlights: Street vendors can lack hygiene compared to established shops, though generally safe.
    • Suitable for: Everyone, especially on hot days; budget travelers; those wanting an authentic street experience.
    • Price Range: Very Budget-Friendly (10,000 – 25,000 VND per glass)

  • Pennywort Juice Stalls

    • Location: Common around parks, schools, and markets. For example, Dat Thanh at 277 Vo Van Tan, District 3.
    • Highlights: A unique, earthy, and highly refreshing green juice. Increasingly popular with additions like green beans, condensed milk, or boba pearls. Believed to have health benefits.
    • Suitable for: Health-conscious travelers, those curious about unique local flavors, budget travelers.
    • Price Range: Very Budget-Friendly (15,000 – 30,000 VND per glass)

  • Juice Me – Fresh Fruit Juices – top Vietnamese drinks

    • Location: 121 Cong Quynh, District 1.
    • Highlights: Offers a vibrant array of fresh tropical fruit and vegetable juices. Focuses on natural ingredients. Convenient for grab-and-go.
    • Suitable for: Health-conscious individuals, those needing a quick, refreshing boost.
    • Price Range: Budget to Mid-range (30,000 – 70,000 VND per drink)

  • Smoothie Stalls/Shops Vietnamese drinks

    • Location: Ubiquitous across the city. Alley Fruit Cocktail (Alley 177 Ly Tu Trong, District 1) and Banana’s Juice Shop (102B Le Thi Rieng, District 1) are well-known.
    • Highlights: Vietnam is a fruit paradise, leading to delicious and varied smoothies. You can choose from popular fruits like mango, avocado, soursop, and dragon fruit, often blended with condensed milk or yogurt.
    • Suitable for: Fruit lovers, those seeking a sweet and refreshing treat.
    • Price Range: Budget to Mid-range (25,000 – 60,000 VND per glass)

4. Craft Beer Bars

Ho Chi Minh City has seen a booming craft beer scene in recent years, offering innovative brews that often incorporate local Vietnamese ingredients.

Craft Beer Bars
Craft Beer Bars

  • Pasteur Street Brewing Co.

    • Location: Multiple taprooms, including a flagship at 144 Pasteur, District 1 (hidden in an alleyway).
    • Highlights: One of the pioneers of Vietnamese craft beer, known for popular brews like the Jasmine IPA and Passionfruit Ale. They creatively infuse Vietnamese ingredients into Western brewing techniques. Lively atmosphere and good food pairings.
    • Suitable for: Craft beer enthusiasts, those seeking a lively atmosphere, groups.
    • Price Range: Mid-range to High-end for drinks (95,000 – 150,000 VND per glass)

  • Heart of Darkness Brewery

    • Location: 37 Ton That Thiep, District 1.
    • Highlights: Inspired by American craft beer, they offer a vast selection of award-winning beers (over 200 types created since 2016). Features a spacious taproom and an outdoor beer garden, often with events like live music.
    • Lowlights: Beers can be on the pricier side for Vietnam.
    • Suitable for: Craft beer aficionados, groups, those looking for a vibrant nightlife spot with good beer.
    • Price Range: Mid-range to High-end (100,000 – 180,000 VND per glass)

  • East West Brewing Co.

    • Location: 181-185 Ly Tu Trong, District 1.
    • Highlights: One of the first large-scale craft breweries in Vietnam, aiming to bring international standard craft beer to the local market. Modern industrial setting, great food menu.
    • Suitable for: Craft beer lovers, groups, those who appreciate a full restaurant experience with their beer.
    • Price Range: Mid-range to High-end (80,000 – 150,000 VND per glass)

  • BiaCraft Artisan Ales

    • Location: Multiple locations, including popular ones in District 1 (e.g., 159A Nguyen Van Thu).
    • Highlights: Known for a rotating selection of over 50 craft beers on tap, including unique and sometimes experimental flavors like breast milk, papaya, or durian-infused beers. Offers a fun and creative atmosphere with good pub food.
    • Suitable for: Adventurous beer drinkers, groups, those looking for a casual and lively pub experience.
    • Price Range: Mid-range to High-end (80,000 – 150,000 VND per glass)

When exploring, don’t be afraid to try smaller, local spots beyond this list. Many hidden gems offer fantastic and authentic Vietnamese drink experiences!

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