Located at 160/29 Bui Dinh Tuy, Binh Thanh Ward, the café was opened in 2017 as a personal project to preserve memories of the city the owner once called home. After relocating to Ho Chi Minh City for work, he envisioned a space that evoked the Hanoi culture.
Its design leans into a retro aesthetic inspired by Hanoi's alleyways. A brick walkway runs through the center, flanked by pillars and walls deliberately finished with peeling paint.
Wooden chairs and tables fill the walkway, spaced just enough for privacy without feeling detached. Decorations are minimal.
A loudspeaker, reminiscent of the public announcement systems found in Hanoi's apartment blocks in the 1980s and 90s, hangs in one corner.
One wall is reserved for certificates of community participation awarded by the local neighborhood. Hung together in wooden frames, they give the impression of stepping into a family home where achievements are displayed.
According to the owner, the café is busiest in the morning before 10 a.m. and again in the early evenings. Most guests come to chat with friends rather than take photos.
Ngach 160 opens daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Beverages, mostly featuring Vietnamese coffee and tea, cost from VND15,000 to VND35,000 ($0.60 - $1.30).
Because the café is an open space without smoking restrictions, it can become smoky during peak hours, something non-smokers may find uncomfortable.
