During my time quick visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I was lucky enough to work in some of the nicest cafés in the big city. As a digital nomad, it’s important to find a space that feels calm, relaxing and inspiring. And of course, a plus is when a place also has good coffee that will keep you going.
I did some research and found that some cafés were mentioned in more places, so I headed over to see what all the fuss was about. Luckily, the people who reviewed the cafés have very good taste. Now it’s my time to review the three best cafés in Ho Chi Minh City to work in.
1. The Loft
Address: level 1, 26 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
This was probably my favorite place. Not only is the café spacious, it’s also very hip, modern and has an industrial chic design to it, which rarely fails. The prices are a bit higher than in most cafés. I got one lychee and elderflower iced tea (not on the menu unfortunately, but you should ask for it) which cost 60.000 dong, a bit more than 2 USD. Although it might not sound like a lot, it’s still more than most Vietnamese would probably pay for an iced tea. But you get great value for your money since the place itself has great atmosphere, very good WiFi and friendly staff, who even gave me free tea. The best thing about The Loft is that you’ll want to stay here for a longer time and work doesn’t seem so stagnant when you are in such a beautiful café. The location of The Loft is also well situated, although a bit further away from the busy streets of Bui Vien, but you can easily walk from there. If you’ve been feeling uninspired lately or having a hard time concentrating on work, you’ll definitely get the right vibes here.
2. The Workshop Coffee
Probably one of the most popular places for digital nomads to go to, it’s also one of the more pricey cafés in the city, but if you’re planning on staying here for a longer time, it’s good value for the money. It’s situated in an old French colonial era building, with high ceilings and a more rustic design to it. The place is usually filled with young people who are either working or studying while enjoying a cup of brewed coffee. The main reason for why people come to The Workshop Coffee is because of their incredible coffee. But instead of the traditional Vietnamese coffee, their beans are sourced from around the world. When you’re starting to feel hungry, you can order cafe staples such as pastries, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, etc. It’s a wonderful place to sit and work, and enjoy some great coffee.
2. Amazing Coffee
Address: 29, Lưu Văn Lang, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Located close to the Benh Thanh Market, this small, but cozy café is still a bit of a hidden gem, so you might even have it for yourself. The café is modern, minimalistic and the coffee is really good. One espresso costs about 49.000 dong, but it’s worth it. The WiFi here also works very well and they have plenty of electrical outlets all over the café so you can plug in your computer or charge your phone. What I really liked about this café was that it had a calm and relaxing vibe to it, not too many noisy guests who distracts you, and the staff are very friendly here as well.
4. The Maker
It’s impossible to include a list of cafés in Ho Chi Minh City without mentioning The Maker. It’s one of the many cafés in the famous Café Apartments, but what makes this one stand out in the crowd is the design. It’s a mix of industrial chic meets Scandinavian minimalist style. The space alone will make you want to stay for awhile. It’s opened daily from 8 AM to 10 PM everyday and mainly serves coffee and tea, but you can also find some sweets here. If you’re going to The Maker, make sure to swing by some of the other stores in the Café Apartment too. You can wander around there for hours.
When you travel to Vietnam, you must remember to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country. This can be done either online or via the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. The online option is the most preferred one since it’s both easy to apply to and fast. You only need a computer and internet to apply for this kind of visa. You can either get a Visa on Arrival or an E-Visa. The latter is however, only eligible for certain countries.
