You might be wondering what the hell is the Cafe Apartment. Is it just an apartment with a fancy name or just a building with cafes? Or what is it?

Well if you don’t have time to read the full guide I can just tell you that it's just a group of various restaurants that overlook walking streets, coffee shops, and a few dessert places.

It's a must-visit for coffee lovers, digital nomads, and everyone who enjoys discovering great places. It's a nine-story building located right along the Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Once a residential building, it now houses a bunch of hip cafes, boutiques, and art spaces. With its deadly combination of old and new, you're in for a lot more than a simple cup of coffee there!

If you want to hang out, people-watch, and immerse yourself in Saigon's artsy atmosphere, you definitely need to see this place.

The life of the cafe apartment

The Cafe Apartment was not always the hip spot that it is today. Originally, it was a normal apartment building where local families lived and even some government offices were located. But then they made Nguyen Hue Street into a walking street, and many of those apartments were converted into coffee shops, boutiques, and working spaces.

Rathaus decided not to demolish the old building but to retain its rundown atmosphere, revealing the exterior and the brick as a tribute to Saigon's past. Today, the site blends the old with the new, with hip boutiques making the little bit of the past its hangout spot. Such organic development is the key to what truly sets The Cafe Apartment apart which is such a vibrant part of the city.

Where is The Cafe Apartment located?

The Cafe Apartment is located right at 42 Nguyen Hue Street in District 1, effectively in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City's trendiest walking street. You can get to it quite conveniently from anywhere in the city as it is highly central.

Here is the google maps location for navigation. It has over 3000 reviews on google as of early 2025!

How to Get There:

It is only a short 10-minute walk along Le Loi Street to Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport: A 30 minute taxi ride (expect to pay around 150,000-200,000 VND).
You just input "42 Nguyen Hue" into the Grab application, and the driver brings you straight to the entrance.

Best Time to Visit:

Morning (9 AM - 11 AM): Ideal time to get a relaxed coffee without many people around.
Late afternoon (4 PM - 6 PM) is ideal for viewing the sunset at Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
From 7 to 10 pm, the nightlife is quite lively but slightly crowded.

Inspecting Every Floor - What's the Strategy?

The Cafe Apartment's a nine-story place, and they all have a completely different feel. You're either going to have to tackle those rickety stairs (which is part of the charm, sorta) or shell out a few bucks (approximately 3,000 - 5,000 VND) to ride the elevator. If you do order a beverage at one of the cafés, they tend to include that elevator fee.

What you can borrow on each floor:

1st - 3rd Floors: Trendy, modern cafes with stylish interiors and Instagram-worthy aesthetics.
4th - 6th Floors: A mix of coffee shops, boutiques, and workspaces.
You have to try out the great rooftop cafes that they have; they have great balcony views of Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
Many of the cafes also have balcony seating, great for taking pictures, observing others, or generally being in the atmosphere of the city.

The coolest cafes in the Cafe Apartment

2. Saigon Ơi Cafe Is One of the More Popular Places in the Cafe Apartment

There are so many places to get coffee, it's quite hard to decide. Take a look at a few of the coolest cafes in The Cafe Apartment, with its unique atmosphere:

Saigon Oi Cafe: It's really famous on Instagram for its trendy wooden interior and great city vistas. You must order their coconut coffee, it's amazing! It is rated 4.2 stars with total reviews of 600+ on google.

Thinker & Dreamer: A cozy, artistic café perfect for those who want a quiet spot to read or work. Try their Vietnamese egg coffee.

3. Partea English Tea Room in the Cafe Apartment

Partea - English Tea Room: It's such a quaint British-themed tea house with tons of various teas and a real old-fashioned atmosphere.

Maker Coffee: Delicious coffee place that also sells a bit of local clothing and accessories. They have a great cold brew.

Boo Coffee: They're renowned for their cute bear latte art, and locals here and tourists absolutely adore it!

4. Boo Coffee in the Cafe Apartment, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

All of these cafés have a different chill atmosphere and theme, so The Cafe Apartment is definitely a one-of-a-kind place for a coffee shop.

Shopping & Boutiques

The Cafe Apartment is also quite a hit for its great coffee atmosphere, but it also houses some quite cool independent shops selling one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. If you enjoy discovering locally produced items, this place is a goldmine.

Maker Concept is such a great combination of a clothing boutique and a cafe. They have the most stylish Vietnamese-designed apparel, bags, and accessories.

Nosbyn Studio offers quite the minimalist, stylish apparel that emits those relaxed modern vibes. Ideal for achieving that Vietnamese street style aesthetic.

Another Stories is all about unique gifts, home decor that's cool, and handmade jewelry.

Couple TX - A relaxed place for cozy, reasonably priced Vietnamese apparel.

The stores of The Cafe Apartment provide a refreshing respite to all those typical tourist souvenirs that you otherwise end up with. And by shopping for local designers and local artisans, you're essentially taking home a bit of real Vietnam.

5. Cafe Apartment in Early Evening, Saigon

The Balcony View - A Photographer's paradise

One of the best parts about The Cafe Apartment is the incredible Nguyen Hue Walking Street views from the balcony. If you're a photog or simply want to grab a great photo to post on Instagram, this place is absolutely a goldmine for that!

Optimal Time to Snap:

Golden hour (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm): isn't the golden light of sunset incredible especially if you are someone who takes a lot of pictures, it's a paradise for tiktok and insta influencers!
Nighttime (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM): When Nguyen Hue Walking Street lights up with LED displays, street performers, and bustling crowds.

Cool Balcony Hangouts:

Saigon Oi Cafe (5th Floor): It's one of the trendiest spots to take in the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Thinker & Dreamer (6th Floor): Offers a more tranquil view with softer lighting.
Boo Coffee (8th Floor): A fun and colorful café with great photo opportunities.

If people-watching is your style, hanging out with a beverage on one of the balconies here is a great way to soak up Ho Chi Minh City.

6.nguyen Hue Walking Street Is Filled With Tourists and Local Vietnamese People With Family on Weekend

The Sneaky Expenses – Watch Out For These!

You can enter The Cafe Apartment without paying a fee, but they do have some hidden charges that travelers should be aware of:

Elevator Fee: Most people need to pay a small fee of about 3,000 – 5,000 VND (like 20 cents) to ride the elevator. But if you buy something from one of the cafes, they'll give that money back to you.

Balcony Fees: Some cafes charge extra for balcony seating (especially those on higher floors). Expect to pay an additional 10,000 – 30,000 VND (~$0.50 - $1.50).

Coffee Prices: Prices of The Cafe Apartment are slightly more than your average Vietnamese street cafes but relatively inexpensive.

Is it worth the hype?

The Cafe Apartment is one of those places that people won't quit raving about, but is it truly as great as people claim? Personally, having wandered about in Vietnam, I believe it entirely boils down to what you like.

If you enjoy hip cafes, unique shops, and great city scenery, you have to visit this place. It's really relaxing to sit back on a balcony with a nice view of Nguyen Hue Walking Street with a nice cup of coffee. With so many of the various cafes that surround the area, you're bound to have something that you enjoy, whether it's traditional Vietnamese coffee or one of the unique fusion beverages.

But if you're a fan of a sweet little place that won't drain your bank account, this could not be the place. It's a bit pricey compared to your average corner coffee shop, and it gets relatively crowded, especially in the afternoon and on the weekends. The building's a bit old and is a little run down, so although it's got its charm, it won't necessarily suit everyone.

Overall if you want me to describe it in just two words I would say It’s different!

7. Tourists on the Way to the Cafe Apartment in Saigon

Advice for First-Time Travelers

If you want to make the most of your visit, try these tips:

Visit during off-peak hours (morning or early afternoon) to avoid crowds.
Don't leave home without having some money for the elevator fee and beverages. Some places won't accept cards.
Choose a cafe with balcony seating for the best atmosphere, but check if they charge you an additional fee.
If you're going to scout out a lot of floors, take the stairs to observe more prior to relaxing in one spot.
Be prepared for some waiting time if you visit during peak hours, especially for popular cafes.

Some planning can genuinely make your experience much simpler and more enjoyable.

Useful Tips and Remaining Safe

The Cafe Apartment is generally a relaxed place to hang out, but a few things to bear in mind:

The building is super old, so it's got a lot of narrow steps and that old-fashioned elevator. If you have mobility issues, just prepare to wait for the elevator.
Be careful with your belongings, particularly if you're in a public area. The cafes themselves are relaxing, but that street below gets really wild.
Some cafes have limited seating, so if you're visiting with a group, consider calling ahead or arriving early.

Most folks believe the building's in good condition considering its age, but it's wise to bear these things in mind prior to going.

What other things do you see around The Cafe Apartment?

As The Cafe Apartment resides in District 1, you have a wealth of other great places to walk to.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is an amazing pedestrian area where they have street performers, music, and a really relaxed atmosphere at night.

One of the city's tallest buildings is the Bitexco Financial Tower, and if you look out over the sky deck, the vista is incredible.

Saigon Opera House – A beautiful French colonial-era building perfect for cultural events and photography.

Ben Thanh Market is the heart of Saigon, great for a snack and a bit of shopping for souvenirs.

Dong Khoi Street – A historic street with high-end shopping, art galleries, and historic landmarks.

There's a lot to see here, you could easily spend the first half of the day wandering around this area of Ho Chi Minh City. But I would still recommend coming here in the early evening for the vibes and views.

8.saigon Opera House Is a Sight to Behold at Night

FAQs

What is The Cafe Apartment famous for?

It's known for transforming into this hip multi-level place with cafes, stores, and office spaces. You have this great atmosphere and great balcony perspectives of Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

It is a perfect place for people watching in Ho chi minh city!

How much does it cost to visit The Cafe Apartment?

There is no entrance fee, but some cafes may charge for balcony seating. Drinks typically range from 50,000 – 90,000 VND ($2 – $4). The elevator fee is usually 3,000 – 5,000 VND ($0.20) but is often refunded with a purchase.

You can definitely look around the building without spending money, but most people tend to buy a beverage or browse the stores.

What is the best time to visit the Cafe apartment?

The morning, such as between 9 and 11, if you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere, or late afternoon, such as 4 to 6, for some great sunset views, are the best times to visit. Nights can be really enjoyable but also really crowded.

Is it relaxed for solo travelers?

Definitely! Cafe Apartment is very central and receives plenty of sunlight, and it's relatively safe for solo travelers. Just be mindful of your belongings, particularly when you're near the crowded Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

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