As Hanoi cracks down on illegal sidewalk encroachment, some cafes have begun creating "sidewalk-style" seating within their own premises. Lofi Lab Cafe at 30 To Hieu Street set its wall back roughly two meters from the road boundary and installed a space with a street view. The seating looks like a sidewalk terrace, but it sits entirely on private property—a creative solution to the restrictions.
150 Square Meters Redesigned
According to local reporting from May 2026, Lofi Lab Cafe converted approximately 50 square meters of its roughly 150-square-meter space into an outward-facing, terrace-style area, with the remainder divided into several indoor zones. The co-owner's description of it as a "fake sidewalk" drew attention, but it is better understood not as a themed facility recreating a public footpath, but as a design that preserves an open street-corner feel while staying within the property boundary.
Fines for Illegal Use: 4–6 Million VND
A resolution passed by the Hanoi City Council in June 2026 sets fines of 4 to 6 million VND for the illegal use of sidewalks or roadways for food and beverage operations, retail, repairs, and similar activities. At the same time, paying a temporary-use fee does not grant free rein to operate however one wishes—conditions apply regarding permitted uses, roads, and maintaining pedestrian space. The figure of 20,000–45,000 VND per month cited in the original article was a proposed figure; the finalized fee schedule varies by area, reaching up to 400,000 VND per square meter in central districts.
| Item | What Can Be Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Fines for Illegal Sidewalk Use | 4,000,000–6,000,000 dong |
| Temporary Use Fees | 30,000–400,000 VND/m² per month, depending on road classification |
| Key Point | Paying the fee does not mean all uses are permitted |
Balancing Street Culture and the Right of Way
Sitting on a low chair and watching the street go by is one of Hanoi's charms, but seating that blocks tactile paving or pedestrian paths pushes wheelchair users and families with children into the road. Preserving a culture and occupying public space are not the same thing. The approach taken by cafes that recreate the atmosphere within their own property is one attempt to find that balance.
How I would check things on the ground
For restaurants and food, I look at the condition of the shop rather than its reputation. I would check the price list, cooking and storage practices, how busy it is, and the ingredients, and if something seems off, I would choose a different shop or order a smaller portion. Since opening hours, prices, and menus change, I would not insist on old information when talking to staff. For food to bring home, even if it is pre-packaged, I would confirm Japan's animal and plant quarantine and customs conditions.
To preserve the amount of information in the article, the policy is to retain the background and options covered in the original article and correct only errors. If you are unsure how to decide, write down your constraints in terms of time, budget, energy, and travel companions, and choose one priority. Because the optimal answer changes when conditions change, it is important not to apply the article's conclusions directly to your own situation.
How I would check things on the ground
For restaurants and food, I look at the condition of the shop rather than its reputation. I would check the price list, cooking and storage practices, how busy it is, and the ingredients, and if something seems off, I would choose a different shop or order a smaller portion. Since opening hours, prices, and menus change, I would not insist on old information when talking to staff. For food to bring home, even if it is pre-packaged, I would confirm Japan's animal and plant quarantine and customs conditions.
What Travelers Should Keep in Mind
Even if a cafe's chairs spill onto the sidewalk, it is difficult for travelers to judge the legality of the situation. If asked by police or management to move, comply, and do not shift chairs toward the road. The operating status of Lofi Lab Cafe may also change, so check the map and the date of the latest post on the official social media account before visiting.
Source:DTiNews、Ngọc Hà Ward, Hanoi
How to build your order
Deciding first on hot or cold, coffee or tea, sweetness level, and whether you want dairy will help you narrow down even a long menu. Even if you cannot pronounce the item name accurately, pointing at a photo and confirming size, ice, sugar, condensed milk, and toppings one by one is enough. Once you receive your order, compare the receipt against the product name.
