The Cafe Apartment Ho Chi Minh: Complete Floor by Floor Guide 2025

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?

The Cafe Apartment Ho Chi Minh (officially located at 42 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1) is one of the most iconic and Instagram-famous destinations in Saigon. This unique 9-story building has been transformed from a 1960s residential apartment into a vibrant hub of 50+ independent cafes, boutique shops, and creative spaces.
Whether you're a coffee lover, digital nomad, or photographer, this complete guide covers everything you need to know: the best cafes on each floor, how to get there, hidden costs, photo spots, and insider tips for 2025.

Originally housing American officers in the 1950s and government families post-war, the building was converted into The Cafe Apartment in 2015 when Nguyen Hue became a pedestrian walking street.
Today, it's recognized as one of Vietnam's most unique attractions, featured by Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, and countless travel bloggers worldwide.

What is 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 in Ho Chi Minh City?

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 to The Cafe Apartment (from Tan Son Nhat Airport)

• 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.

• It is only a short 10 minute walk along Le Loi Street to Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

Best Time to Visit The Cafe Apartment

• 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.

Floor-by-Floor Guide: What's on Each Floor?

The Cafe Apartment has 9 floors, each with a completely different vibe and selection of cafes. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you'll find on each level:

Ground Floor - Fahasa Bookstore

The entire ground floor is occupied by Fahasa, Vietnam's largest bookstore chain. Great for browsing Vietnamese books, maps, and magazines. The entrance to The Cafe Apartment is to the left of the bookstore entrance.

Cost to enter: Free

2nd Floor - Gốm x Nicotin Cafe & Workshop

A light, beautifully designed space perfect for pottery workshops and artisan coffee. The repurposed wood furniture creates a calming, natural atmosphere.

Must-try: Vietnamese egg coffee

Specialty: Pottery workshops (fee required, book ahead)

3rd Floor - Downtown Steakhouse & Dosh Donuts

This floor features American comfort food at Downtown Steakhouse (steaks, burgers, pasta) and creative donuts at Dosh. Also home to Meraki Cafe, known for kitsch decor and milk tea.

Must-try: Dosh's creative donut flavors

Note: Meraki requires drink purchase for photos

4th Floor - (Percent) % Arabica Coffee (Must-Visit)

The famous Japanese coffee chain % Arabica opened its first Vietnam location here in 2024. Unlike their usual minimalist white aesthetic, this location features warm wood elements, bamboo accents from North Vietnamese artisans, and industrial lighting.

Must-try: Spanish Latte, Matcha Latte

Price: 65,000-120,000 VND ($2.60-$4.80)

Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Why it's special: The only % Arabica in HCMC's historic Cafe Apartment

5th Floor - Saigon Oi Cafe

A spacious, elegantly furnished cafe with large balcony overlooking Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Wooden floors, potted plants, hanging lanterns create an Instagram-perfect atmosphere.

Must-try: Coconut coffee, Vietnamese cakes 

Rating: 4.1 stars (700+ Google reviews) 

Best for: People-watching, photography

6th Floor - Madam Quyen Restaurant

The building's best Vietnamese restaurant, serving iconic dishes in an elegant setting. Two locations in the building (also on 5th floor).

Must-try: Traditional Vietnamese cuisine

Best for: Lunch or dinner

7th Floor - Thinker & Dreamer

A cozy, artistic cafe perfect for reading, working, or quiet contemplation. Offers tranquil balcony views with softer lighting than busier floors below.

Must-try: Vietnamese egg coffee 

Best for: Solo travelers, remote workers

8th Floor - Pờ Coffee (Best Rooftop Views)

Possibly the coolest coffee shop in The Cafe Apartment. The retro-inspired decor replicates Vietnam's post-war era aesthetic, creating an authentic vibe.

Must-try: Salt-milk Japanese matcha, pineapple ginseng coffee

Best for: Unique atmosphere, creative drinks

Note: Less touristy than lower floors

9th Floor - The Letter & Good Day Coffee

The highest cafes in the building (Good Day Coffee also has a 6th floor location). Great rooftop atmosphere with panoramic city views.

Best for: Sunset views, avoiding crowds

Note: Can be quieter than mid-level floors

Best Cafes in The Cafe Apartment (Top 5 Must-Visit)

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 cafe perfect for those who want a quiet spot to read or work. Try their Vietnamese egg coffee.

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!

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

Cafe Apartment Photos: Best Spots for Instagram in 2025

The Cafe Apartment is one of the most photographed buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Here's where to capture the best shots:

1. Exterior Building Shot (from Nguyen Hue Walking Street)

   Best time: 7-10 PM when cafes light up with neon strips, LEDs, and fairy lights
   Best angle: Stand in the middle of Nguyen Hue Walking Street, about 30 meters back
   Pro tip: The building looks like a "chocolate box" with different compartments when lit up
   Camera settings: Use night mode or longer exposure for light trails
   
   

2. Saigon Oi Cafe Balcony (5th Floor)

   What to shoot: Panoramic view of Nguyen Hue Walking Street, city skyline
   Best time: Golden hour (4:30-6:30 PM) for warm lighting
   Instagram angle: Shoot from balcony looking down at walking street
   Tip: Order coconut coffee - the glass looks great in photos
   
   

3. Percent % Arabica Interior (4th Floor) 

   What to shoot: Minimalist Japanese aesthetic, bamboo details, latte art
   Best time: Morning (9-10 AM) before crowds arrive
   Pro tip: The wooden bamboo woven wall is the most Instagrammable spot
   
   

4. Building Stairwell (Any Floor)

   What to shoot: Vintage spiral staircase, weathered walls, retro elevator
   Best time: Midday when natural light floods the stairwell
   Aesthetic: Gritty, vintage, authentic Saigon vibe
   
   

5. Rooftop Views (9th Floor)

   What to shoot: Cityscape, Bitexco Tower, sunset over District 1
   Best time: Sunset (5:30-6:30 PM)
   Less crowded: The 9th floor is quieter than balconies on floors 4-6

Shopping & Boutiques in The Cafe Apartment

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.

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.

Cafe Apartment Elevator Fee & Hidden Costs

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!

What to 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.

FAQs

Q. Which floor is % Arabica on in The Cafe Apartment?
% Arabica Coffee is located on the 4th floor of The Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue Street. It's the first % Arabica location in Vietnam and features a unique design with bamboo accents from North Vietnamese artisans. Opening hours are 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily. Prices range from 65,000-120,000 VND ($2.60-$4.80). Visit early morning (9-11 AM) to avoid crowds.

Q. Do you have to pay to enter The Cafe Apartment?
No, entering The Cafe Apartment is completely free. However, there's a small elevator fee of 3,000 VND ($0.12 USD) if you use the elevator instead of stairs. Most cafes refund this fee when you make a purchase if you just show your elevator ticket.

Q. What are the opening hours of The Cafe Apartment?
The Cafe Apartment building is accessible all day, but individual businesses have varying hours. Most cafes open 7:00-8:00 AM and close 10:00-11:00 PM. The best times to visit are morning (9-11 AM) for a peaceful experience, late afternoon (4-6 PM) for golden hour photos, or evening (7-10 PM).

Q. 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!

Q. Which floor is Po Coffee on?
Pờ Coffee is on the 8th floor, rear wing of The Cafe Apartment. It's one of the coolest cafes in the building, featuring retro-inspired decor that replicates Vietnam's post-war era aesthetic. Must-try drinks include salt-milk Japanese matcha (55,000 VND) and pineapple ginseng coffee (60,000 VND).

Q. Is The Cafe Apartment worth visiting in 2025?
Yes, absolutely. The Cafe Apartment is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most unique attractions and consistently ranks as a must-visit destination for coffee lovers, photographers, and culture enthusiasts. Budget 3-4 hours to truly experience it. Average spending: 200,000-400,000 VND ($8-16 USD) for 2-3 drinks

Q. 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.

Q. Can I visit The Cafe Apartment alone as a solo traveler?
Yes, The Cafe Apartment is very solo-traveler friendly. Many cafes (especially Thinker & Dreamer on the 7th floor) cater to remote workers with strong WiFi and power outlets. The building is located in District 1's main tourist area, making it safe during day and evening.