New Hoi An cafe weaves handicrafts into its theme

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, bustling Hoi An has been wearing a deserted look. But Tho Det Coffee (The Weavers Coffee), with entrances at 37 Nguyen Thai Hoc and 64 Bach Dang Street, was not deterred from opening few months ago. It has also organized art events and workshops.

Visitors can enjoy drinks and find out about the traditional silk and textile production of Hoi An, a 400-year-old town in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.

Hoi An, which used to be the busiest trading port in Southeast Asia in the 16th century, was famous for ceramics and high-quality silk.

The largish cafe has wooden furniture, old photos and lights that evoke a nostalgic feeling. The bar is beside a large loom installed in the middle.

Apricot flowers, a symbol of Lunar New Year and spring, and the river beyond the entrance.

A wooden boat in the cafe yard.

The coffee shop is in an old house that was renovated but with the original structure and design untouched.

Yellow walls, wooden tables and chairs with lanterns make for a warm space for gatherings.

The shop staff can help you know more about the craft of weaving in Hoi An, which was recognized as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1998.

Guests can buy silk scarfs as souvenirs at the cafe.

Hoi An is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist attractions. CNN in 2019 listed the town among "the most picturesque" in Asia, saying it is "a heaven for photographers, foodies and architecture lovers."