Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer, but most of it goes to commercial-grade Robusta beans, and opportunities for consumers to encounter high-quality specialty coffee have been limited. One place gradually changing that is Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery (Sox & Craft), a house-roasting shop standing by the riverside in the Thao Dien area of District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. Tucked away as if hidden in a residential-street alley, it is a third-wave spot known to those in the know.
| Genre | Coffee |
|---|---|
| Origin | Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Coverage area | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Number of locations | 1 store (Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City) |
| Signature menu | The signatures are single-origin V60 hand-drip coffee and the Espresso Tonic |
| Official site | https://www.facebook.com/soxncraft.coffee/ |
What is Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery | a roastery café standing by the riverside in Thao Dien
The founding story
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery is a specialty coffee shop that roasts in-house, located in the Thao Dien area of District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. With seats by the river, it is beloved as a connoisseur's spot known to those in the know.
Thao Dien in District 2 is a high-end residential area of Ho Chi Minh City where Western expats and Japanese families live. In contrast to District 1, lined with chain stores for tourists, it is known as a "battleground of third-wave cafés," dotted with independently run specialty coffee shops and independent bakeries. Sox & Craft is a particularly connoisseur-favored spot even among them.
A "team of coffee professionals" that combines roastery, café, wholesale, and consulting
Sox & Craft is not just a café; as a house roastery it also handles wholesale and retail, and it is a "team of coffee professionals" that even supplies commercial coffee beans and provides consulting for coffee businesses. It also has the face of a commercial partner supporting café openings across Vietnam.
Specialty coffee shops in Vietnam are still not many, with Every Half and La Viet Coffee among them, and Sox & Craft is one of the roastery cafés centered on in-house roasting. Being able to take home freshly roasted beans is also a welcome point for those who want to savor them at home.
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery's signature menu and flavors
The signature is single origin brewed by V60 hand drip. With roasting that draws out the character of the beans to the fullest, it offers a cup that lets you meet a new origin each time you visit. At 35,000 dong and up per cup, it is an accessible price range for specialty.
V60 single origin (hand drip)
The signature is single-origin coffee brewed by V60 hand drip. Ethiopian beans, for example, have a bright aroma reminiscent of lychee, letting you enjoy a balance of acidity and sweetness. With a roasting lineup that draws out the character of the beans to the fullest, its appeal is meeting a cup from a different origin each time you visit.
Espresso Tonic
The "Espresso Tonic," pouring espresso into soda, is a cup popular with fans of the distinctive. The refreshing carbonation layered with the rich aroma of espresso makes for a refreshment drink just right for the hot Vietnamese daytime.
Other popular drinks
| Drink | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| V60 single origin | The signature brewed by hand drip. Aroma and acidity change by origin |
| Espresso Tonic | A distinctive cup pouring espresso into soda. The carbonation and rich aroma are invigorating |
| Piccolo | A cup that lets you enjoy the balance of milk and espresso |
| Roasted beans to take home | Freshly roasted beans available for purchase. Enjoy them slowly at home |
Cups that win over reviewers
We have rounded up the well-reviewed items that come up again and again in travel and food-site reviews (focusing on dishes praised across multiple reviews).
| Menu | Why reviewers rate it |
|---|---|
| Pour Over (hand drip) | As a house roastery, reviews recommend the hand drip that lets you enjoy light roasts with fruity flavor, such as Ethiopian beans |
| Espresso Tonic | A standard arrangement sometimes introduced for the hot season as a refreshing cup combining soda and espresso |
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery's store network and recommended ways to drop by
Scale and coverage area
There is one store, in Thao Dien in District 2. The address is No.5 Street 54, Thao Dien. It stands tucked away in a residential-street alley, with parking space out front.
Outside there are seats with riverside views, and you can even see landmark buildings. It is in a convenient location as a starting point for a Thao Dien stroll.
Main cities where you can enjoy this store:Ho Chi Minh City. You can check each city's tourist information from its city page.
The atmosphere at Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery and how to spend your time
Features of the interior and design
In the calm, small interior, seats with a view of the riverside scenery are popular. Unlike the large stores aimed at tourists, a quiet air flows here where local coffee lovers relax.
At night the sister cocktail bar of the same brand, "The Flying Beans," comes to life next door. In this rare location where you can start with coffee and cap off with cocktails, being able to have a different experience depending on the time of day is a strength unique to this place.
Wi-Fi, power outlets, and how easy it is to linger
As a calm, connoisseur-favored spot, it suits those who want to savor a cup slowly at a riverside seat. Being able to talk beans in a way only a roastery can and consult about your preferred origin and brewing method is one of the pleasures.
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery's price guide and payment
| Menu | Price guide |
|---|---|
| Coffee (per cup) | 35,000ドン〜（約210円〜） |
An accessible price range for specialty coffee. You can also buy freshly roasted beans, good for souvenirs or home use.
Prices can change by store and season. Check the latest at the counter or on the official menu.
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery's takeout and souvenirs
Being able to take home freshly roasted beans is a point only a roastery café offers. Just right for those who want to brew slowly at home or as a souvenir for coffee lovers.
Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery's map, access, and ordering tips
It is introduced as being in a quiet alley in Thao Dien in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, in a location where you can view the riverside and landmarks from the terrace seats.
Vietnamese phrases for ordering
Here are the basic phrases that come in handy locally. Pointing works, but adding a word makes ordering smoother.
| Vietnamese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi một … | One [drink], please |
| nóng / đá | Hot / iced |
| ít đường | Less sweet |
| không đường | No sugar |
| ít đá | Less ice |
| mang đi | Takeout |
| ở đây | For here |
| tính tiền | The check, please |
You can check the latest menu, prices, hours, and store listOfficial sitehere.
What to know before visiting Sox & Craft Coffee Roastery
How to enjoy it smartly
The riverside seats are a popular spot to enjoy together with the scenery. If you're after a view of the landmark building, choose a time when the outdoor seats are open.
At night, enjoying it together with the adjacent sister cocktail bar "The Flying Beans" is the real pleasure of this place. You can go from coffee to cocktails, spending time across the day in one spot.
Points to note
Because it is in an alley in the Thao Dien residential area, it can be a little hard to find the first time. Checking the address (No.5 Street 54, Thao Dien) on a map before heading over makes it smooth.
The beans and origins on offer rotate by season. If there's an origin you're after, it's best to check with the staff when you visit.
🗺️ If you also want to compare it with other cafés,Vietnam's 30 Popular Cafés: A Thorough Comparison Guidelets you browse from a single list.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Sox & Craft's signature menu?
-
Single-origin coffee brewed by V60 hand drip. You can enjoy beans with a bright aroma reminiscent of lychee, such as Ethiopian, and the Espresso Tonic, pouring espresso into soda, is popular too.
- Where is it?
-
No.5 Street 54, in the Thao Dien area of District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. It is in a residential-street alley with seats by the river where you can also see landmark buildings.
- Are there functions besides the café?
-
As a house roastery it handles wholesale and retail, and it is a 'team of coffee professionals' that also supplies commercial coffee beans and provides consulting for coffee businesses.
- Is it expensive?
-
Coffee is from 35,000 dong per cup, an accessible price range for specialty. You can also buy freshly roasted beans.
- Can you enjoy it at night too?
-
At night the sister cocktail bar of the same brand, 'The Flying Beans,' operates next door. It is a rare location where you can start with coffee and cap off with cocktails.
