X98, opened last November, is situated at No. 1, Alley 31, Hoang Cau Street, and has become a favorite hangout for youngsters.
It has a 1,000-square-meter café area besides restaurants, a bakery, billiards tables, shoe spa, and entertainment.
Until 2014 it had been a cultural hub and a go-to destination for shopping and recreation, and hosted outdoor events like flea markets, live music performances and art exhibitions.
After closing temporarily, it returned with a modern look.
The first impression is a courtyard wrapped in greenery. There are outdoor seats with fans, making it a pleasant place even on warm days.
At the heart of the café sits a Totoro statue, an animated character from the 1988 Japanese film "My Neighbor Totoro".
There are indoor seating areas and co-working spaces, ideal for working or just hanging out with friends. Seating options range from tables to lounges.
Every inch of the place seems to be carefully curated. This corner allows sunlight to be filtered through the leaves in the late afternoons.
The menu features a range of drinks including milk tea, fruit tea and coffee. But admittedly the tastes and flavors are average for the price. Some popular items like pink guava strawberry tea and milk oolong with green rice have regular customers, but consistency in taste remains an issue.
The café also serves small eats such as fresh spring rolls, salads and kimbap. These are available individually or in combos at prices ranging from VND18,000 to VND215,000 (US$0.75-9).
