A thorough explanation of Katinat, the talked-about café in Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, when you want to make café-hopping part of the fun of exploring the streets, one option that comes to mind isKatinat Coffee & Tea House (Katinat)The menu ranges from Vietnamese-style milk coffee to coconut-infused drinks and fruit teas, and each branch offers a different atmosphere to enjoy. If you're choosing a drink first, Mê Sữa Đá is a straightforward starting point for coffee lovers, while Trà Đào Hồng Đài works well for those who want to enjoy fruity flavors. The experience differs between a centrally located branch that's easy to drop into mid-sightseeing and a riverside branch you visit specifically for the view. This article covers the history, menu differences, and tips for choosing a branch and ordering.

1. A fast-growing café born from Saigon's main street

Knowing the origin of the name Katinat greatly deepens this brand's dimension. "Katinat" refers to "Rue Catinat," which ran through the center of Ho Chi Minh City during French rule. This street, corresponding to present-day Dong Khoi street, was a main street symbolizing Saigon, lined with colonial architecture. In 2016, Katinat Saigon Kafe opened its first store on that Dong Khoi street.

The atmosphere evoking old Saigon combined with the convenience of a modern coffee chain — that combination was the starting point for Katinat. According to Chochoi Creative, the agency behind the brand refresh, the project began in early 2023, by which point the chain had already expanded to 50 locations. The official branch search checked on September 28, 2026 listed 114 entries, with locations not only in Ho Chi Minh City but also in Hanoi and elsewhere. It's the story of a brand that started with a single shop on Đồng Khởi Street and grew into a café you can find across multiple cities.

According to the company, the new brand was launched on April 19, 2024. The name changed from "Katinat Saigon Kafe" to "Katinat Coffee & Tea House," with the two pillars of coffee and tea now reflected in the signage as well. The words "JOURNEY TO EXPLORE NEW TASTE" appear in the creative case study. This was not simply a name change, but a refresh aimed at becoming a brand chosen for its drinks themselves, not just its locations and interiors. If the name in an older travel article differs from the current signage, that doesn't mean it has become a different chain. Rather than walking in expecting a coffee specialist, browsing the tea and seasonal combinations will open up more options.

2. Don't Miss These! Recommended Menu

Katinat's menu spans coffee, tea, fruit drinks, and blended drinks with crushed ice. The prices below are based on the official menu confirmed on September 28, 2026. Drinks range from 32,000 to 89,000 VND, and the budget differs between a basic coffee and a cup combining matcha or toppings. The "49" in the table means 49,000 VND, tax included. Additional toppings are priced separately, so it's easiest to start by choosing the drink itself. Here we introduce three categories that are easy to choose from while traveling.

① Something a Little Different: Coconut Cream Coffee

If you want to try a combination that's a little different from the standard, "Mê Dừa Non" coconut coffee is a candidate. On the official menu it carries a BEST label, with a size S at 49,000 VND and size L at 60,000 VND. The English name is Young Coconut Coffee. Another option is "Cà Phê Kem Mây Chanh Vàng," English name Lemon Foam Coffee, size S at 59,000 VND. Deciding between pairing with coconut or pairing with lemon-flavored foam makes it easier to navigate the long product names.

Note that the official menu confirmed this time did not list any drink by the name of salt coffee. Be careful not to confuse the lemon foam coffee with a salted cream version. If you're specifically looking for salt coffee, check whether it's available at the branch you plan to visit before going. If you want to try something new in a smaller quantity, choosing a product that comes in size S is a good approach. On days when you don't want cream or milk added, the same menu also offers black coffee and Americano, so there's no need to choose based on how photogenic a drink looks.

② SNS-worthy: The fruit drink series

If you're choosing a fruit-based drink, "Trà Đào Hồng Đài" is an easy entry point. The English name on the official menu is Hibiscus Peach Tea, size L at 65,000 VND. "Trà" means tea and "Đào" means peach, so remembering these two words makes other menu items easier to read as well. For something citrusy, "Trà Quýt Hạ Du" tangerine tea is size L at 69,000 VND. Narrowing it down first by whether you prefer peach or citrus means you won't be flustered at the counter.

For something in a different direction from tea, there's also "Bơ Già Dừa Non," a combination of avocado and young coconut. Size S is 55,000 VND and size L is 69,000 VND — the ingredients are quite different from a fruit tea. Seasonal items rotate, so when looking for a drink you saw in an older photo, showing the product name alongside the image will help get the message across. Note that fruit tea is a drink that uses tea along with fruit flavors. Those looking for something for children or wanting to avoid caffeine should not treat it as the same as a pure fruit juice drink.

③ An evolved form of Vietnamese coffee: Katinat milk coffee

The classic Vietnamese coffee is Cà Phê Sữa Đá — iced coffee with condensed milk. At Katinat, "Mê Sữa Đá" appears in the phin coffee section, with size S at 39,000 VND and size L at 55,000 VND. Meanwhile, "Espresso Sữa Đá" in the espresso section is size S at 35,000 VND and size L at 48,000 VND. Even though both are milk coffees, they differ in menu category and price, so specifying the product name when ordering is the safest approach.

For those who want to start with a classic Vietnamese option, Mê Sữa Đá is the pick; for those who prefer a familiar latte, "Latte Nguyên Bản" is a candidate. The latter is 50,000 VND hot and 52,000 VND iced in size S. Additionally, "Mê Xỉu," a milk-based coffee, is also listed at size S 39,000 VND and size L 55,000 VND. Think of condensed milk coffee as a different drink from an unsweetened café latte. When the milk has settled to the bottom, giving it a gentle stir before drinking helps avoid an uneven distribution of sweetness. The origin and blend of the beans cannot be determined from the official menu alone, so it should not be assumed that all products use the same Robusta beans.

3. A refined space: the appeal of the store design

One of the pleasures of Katinat is the different design at each branch. While deep blues and coffee-inspired color palettes do appear, not every branch is unified in the same dark tones. For example, the branch at 173 Võ Thị Sáu is described in a December 2024 visit report on the local blog "Monday Bánh Mì" as featuring bright wood grain and ivory tones combined with deep blue, along with upper-floor seating. Even under the same sign, the atmosphere changes from one branch to the next.

The branch known for adaptive reuse of a building is not the Võ Thị Sáu branch but the Bình Phú branch. In a 2022 case study introduced by designer Module K and others, the structure of a former kindergarten building was retained, incorporating glass blocks and curved staircases. For river views, the Bến Linh Đông branch is the one to visit. The official address is 69b Đường Số 36, and a October 2024 visit report on "Monday Bánh Mì" introduces a terrace overlooking the Saigon River. However, the report notes that during that visit, seats sheltered from the rain were limited. Separating branches you visit for the architecture from those you visit for the outdoor scenery makes it easier to decide where to go on a rainy day.

If you want to rest during a walk around the city, branches on Đồng Khởi Street or Nguyễn Huệ Street are easy to fit into an itinerary. Choosing a window seat or terrace with a good view is part of the fun, but the number of floors and seating layout vary by branch. If you have a specific seat in mind from a photo, start by matching the branch name and address. Wi-Fi and power outlets also cannot be assumed to be the same at every branch and every seat. The visit report for the 173 Võ Thị Sáu branch also mentions seats without outlets. For a short break, any available seat may be fine, but if you need to charge your device or do some work, asking about usable seats before ordering will make for a more comfortable stay.

4. A Practical Guide for Japanese Tourists

To enjoy Katinat more comfortably, we've compiled practical information useful for Japanese travelers.

Recommended stores
If it's your first visit, branches in the central area along your sightseeing route are the most convenient. The official website lists the flagship store at 91 Đồng Khởi and "Đồng Khởi 2" at 158 Đồng Khởi. Searching only for "Dong Khoi branch" can lead you to a different location, so note the street number as well. On Nguyễn Huệ Street, the branch at 105 Nguyễn Huệ and "Oscar" at 68A Nguyễn Huệ are options worth considering. For a stop during a stroll, the central branches work well; if you want time by the river, Bến Linh Đông is the better choice — it helps to decide based on your purpose.

Hours
Opening hours vary by branch, and it is not accurate to say all locations share the same hours of 6:30–23:00. For example, the branch inside AEON MALL Bình Dương Canary is listed as 10:00–22:00 in the mall's store directory. It is important not to assume that street-level stores and mall locations keep the same hours. If you plan to visit early in the morning or late at night, check the specific branch name beforehand. The official branch list also includes phone numbers for each location; the 173 Võ Thị Sáu branch is listed as 028 7309 1891.

Ordering tips
The official menu includes English product names. If Vietnamese pronunciation is difficult, you can simply point to the item name and then indicate your size and whether you want it iced or hot. Sizes are shown as S and L, and some items are available in only one size, so do not assume an M size exists. For Mê Sữa Đá, showing the screen and saying "Mê Sữa Đá, size S" is an easy way to communicate your order. If you want less sugar, say "Less sugar" or "Ít đường"; for less ice, say "Ít đá." The degree to which adjustments are possible depends on the drink, so it is best to confirm your preferences before finalizing your order.

Payment methods
If you want to pay by card or QR code, check the payment options displayed at the register before ordering. Even if a QR code is shown, it may not be compatible with the payment app you use. Having Vietnamese dong in cash on hand will save you from scrambling at the checkout. For budgeting purposes, it helps to decide in advance on the item and size you want — for example, Mê Sữa Đá in size S is 39,000 VND, and a peach tea in size L is 65,000 VND.

To avoid the crowds
It is best not to assume that mornings are always quiet. A visit report from the 173 Võ Thị Sáu branch in December 2024 noted that the café was fully seated at 10 a.m. on a Sunday. This reflects conditions on that particular day and does not mean the branch is always that busy, but if you want to enjoy a popular location at a relaxed pace, it is wise not to pack your schedule too tightly. If you are only after a drink, a nearby alternative branch works fine; if the interior or the view is the draw, allow extra time and head to your chosen location. The reservation information below is for the 98 Phố Huế branch in Hanoi and is separate from Ho Chi Minh City locations. Note also that it does not guarantee the availability of salt coffee.

5. Summary

Katinat Coffee & Tea House grew from its Đồng Khởi Street origins in 2016, underwent a brand refresh in 2024, and has become a chain where both coffee and tea can be enjoyed. Beyond the classic milk coffee, options include coconut, lemon foam, and fruit teas. Choosing a branch is part of the fun: a central-area stop during sightseeing and a branch visited for its architecture or river views offer quite different ways to spend time over a cup.

If it's your first visit, try picking one convenient branch on Đồng Khởi Street or Nguyễn Huệ Street as part of your walk around the city. You might try the classic Mê Sữa Đá in size S, or choose a peach tea for a break on a hot day. Checking prices and sizes on the official menu before you go leaves you free to enjoy your seat and the street scene once you arrive. Rather than chasing every trending item, pick the one drink that suits your mood that day. That kind of easy approach is just right for a Katinat stop during a trip.

🗺️ For Katinat Saigon Kafe's basic information, signature menu, map, and reviews, seeShop guide (card)where we've put it all together.

🗺️ 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.