On Hanoi's first metro route, four coffee shops go retro

These cafes are a few minutes' walk from stations along the Cat Linh-Ha Dong route, which began commercial operations earlier this month after a decade-long wait. It pays to remember that one does not have to pay to take a ride on the route for the first 15 days starting November 6.

Even if the ride is not free, enjoying some free time after getting off at some stations on the 13-kilometer elevated track can be an elevating experience.

À Demain Coffee

À Demain Coffee in Hanoi.

Just around 600 meters from the Cat Linh Station, this café in Nui Truc Alley of Ba Dinh District has become a popular address for featuring an Indochine-style architecture. The coffee shop’s inviting French name means "See you tomorrow."

From the outside, the café looks like an ancient house in Hoi An Town, with yellow lanterns, and framed paintings of women wearing the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress) and conical hats.

A room for a large group at À Demain Coffee.

The café has three floors with separate rooms for guests who wish to work in groups or enjoy private space.

The menu includes Vietnamese coffee, cheese coffee, fruit tea and juice at prices starting from VND35,000 ($1.54).

The café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 5 Nui Truc Alley, Ba Dinh District. From Cat Linh Station, you only walk around eight minutes to reach the café.

Gusto Coffee

Customers with their laptops at Gusto Coffee in Hanoi.

Just a three-minute walk from the La Thanh Station on Hoang Cau Street, the Gusto café looks like a miniature flower garden.

The first floor is a small courtyard surrounded by pots of cacti and succulent and Cedrus plants for sale. On the second floor, the space is light and cozy, suitable for working, studying in groups or meeting friends.

The café also has a balcony area where guests can sit and watch high-rise buildings or see trains on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro route running past.

Treats at Gusto Coffee.

The café serves Vietnamese coffee, tea, fruit juices and cakes at VND35,000 to 45,000 each. It is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 18 Alley 34 Hoang Cau Street Dong Da District.

Era Coffee

Era Coffee offers a lake view.

A four-minute walk to a four-storied café from the Thai Ha station takes one to Era Coffee. While its quiet first floor is suitable for those wishing to find a working space, the second and fourth floors allow guests to enjoy lovely views of the Hoang Cau Lake.

Guests can also sit on the lakeside and be served by the café.

The most unusual feature of Era Café is the tattoo parlor on the third floor.

Cookies are serve wih a cup of drink at Era Coffee.

The café’s menu includes Vietnamese coffee, coconut coffee, milk cream coffee, fruit tea and cakes at VND29,000 to 49,000.

The café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 256A Dang Tien Dong Street, Dong Da District.

for.Us Coffee

Outdoor chairs and tables at for.Us Coffee.

If you fancy all things South Korean, the for.Us Coffee is for you.

Located on Nguyen Trai Street in Thanh Xuan District, it is around a nine-minute walk from the Lang Station.

Guests step through the door into a small courtyard with greenery and several sets of tables.

A cup of egg coffee at for.Us Coffee.

The menu includes egg coffee, fruit juices and cakes for VND25,000 to 50,000.

The café is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 19 Nguyen Trai Street, Khuong Trung Ward, Thanh Xuan District.

Photos courtesy of the coffee shops