An ancient town comes to modern Saigon

By Linh Sea September 5, 2018 | 08:06 pm PT

On the outside and the inside, a café has almost effortlessly brought the charm and spirit of Hoi An to Saigon.

Located on a little street Hunh Tinh Cua in district 3, Hoa Giay café stands out for its old golden wall, the iconic look of the ancient town Hoi An.

Located on Huynh Tinh Cua Street in District 3, HCMC, the Hoa Giay café stands out with its “old” yellow wall and pink bougainvillea flowers, recreating the iconic look of Hoi An, an ancient town in central Vietnam that has been declared a World Heritage site.

Inspired by the brilliant golden walls, blushful bougainvillea and colourful lanterns of his hometown, the son of Quang Nam Province turned his café into a little Hoi An (Hoi An is a city of Quang Nam Province, South Central Coast Vietnam).

Inspired by the colors and feel of his hometown, a native of Quang Nam Province has turned this café into a Hoi An replica, complete with the yellow walls, lanterns and other decorations.

From the structure to the decorations, the café is a reconstruction of Vietnameses 60s-70s houses. According to the owner, the whole block of houses on Huynh Tinh Cua street are all old houses, built during the American occupation. As it was meant to be home for American officials back then, the café is spacious, designed with a lot of balconies and windows to let the fresh air in, keeping the house cool against the heat waves of Saigons summer.

From the structure to the decorations, the café is a reconstruction of Vietnamese houses in the 60s and 70s. According to the owner, the whole block of houses on Huynh Tinh Cua Street are old, built during the American occupation. As it was meant to house American officials back then, the buildings are spacious and designed with a lot of balconies and windows to let the fresh air in, keeping the house cool even during the heat of a Saigon summer.

The old furniture such as table, chairs, lamps, typewriter, pictures& are now used as decorations

Old furniture, including tables, chairs, lamps, typewriters and pictures are used as decorations.

There is enough furniture to fill in the space without getting cluttered. The old-looking, patterned floor tiles bring the homey feeling to the visitors.

The furniture does not clutter the café’s space. The old style tiles add to the homely feeling.

Hoa Giay is the perfect place for people who enjoy a quiet and nostalgic space. There is also a collection of old everyday objects such as wooden cabinets, garde manger (French for keeper of the food), typewriter, oil lamps, old pot and cups&

For more than two years now, the Hoa Giay café has been offering the perfect place for people who enjoy peace, quiet and nostalgia. The collection of old everyday objects includes wooden cabinets, garde manger (French for food storage), typewriter, oil lamps, old pot and cups.

The balcony is a favourite spot among young people. From here, you can watch the bustling traffic going by or enjoy the dances of the tree branches in the winds.

The balcony is a favorite spot among young people.

Youre welcomed to do whatever you want here, work, read a book, chat to your friends or having a meal with your family&The foods here are of Quang Nams specialties, such as Quang Noodles, Chicken and Rice, fry shrimp and pork, little clams and rice paper& giving a taste of familiarity for those who is missing home.

Whether it is to read a book, chat with friends or have a meal with the family, this café is a very good choice. The menu mainly contains Quang Nam specialties, like Quang Noodles, Chicken and Rice, fry shrimp and pork, little clams and rice paper.

The café opens from 7:00am until 11:00pm. Prices for drinks and food range from VND 20,000 to VND 50,000.

The café opens from 7am until 11pm. Prices for drinks and food range from VND 20,000 ($0.86) to VND50,000 ($2.15).

This is also a great place for those who want to take some beautiful photos, for coffee lovers, and for anyone who loves Hoi An.

The café is also a great place to take photographs, and for anyone who loves Hoi An to get there without leaving Saigon.