Thao Dien in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, is one of Saigon's foremost caf\u00e9 battlegrounds, where expats, international-school families, and young entrepreneurs gather. The travel information site Traveloka has handpicked 12 Thao Dien caf\u00e9s to visit in 2026. From minimal design to renovated French colonial villas to house roasting, this area's hallmark is a wide swing in styles.<\/p>\n
Thao Dien is 15\u201320 minutes by car from central Ho Chi Minh City. Caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and boutiques are packed along Xuan Thuy Street and Thao Dien Street, and most venues get by in English. Here are the 12 Traveloka chose.<\/p>\n
Bluish Cafe<\/strong>\u2014A minimal space pairing sea-evoking blue walls with natural wood. You can enjoy espresso and fruit tea while watching the street through large windows. For those who want a quiet time in a small group.<\/p>\n Faro Cafe \u2013 Th\u1ea3o \u0110i\u1ec1n Villa<\/strong>\u2014A renovated whitewashed French villa turned \"mini urban resort\" with a garden and pool. From classic coffee to creative cocktails to light bites. A weekend-brunch staple.<\/p>\n Mori Coffee<\/strong>\u2014A wood-and-greenery space conscious of Japanese minimalism. It also serves matcha tea and Japanese-style pastries, with many repeat Japanese resident customers.<\/p>\n 102 Cafe Thao Dien<\/strong>\u2014Exposed-brick industrial interior with high ceilings. Its signature blend of tropical fruit x specialty coffee is a specialty. It regularly hosts art events and workshops too.<\/p>\n Ch\u00eanh V\u00eanh Rooftop<\/strong>\u2014Rooftop seating overlooking the Saigon River and Landmark 81. By day it's coffee; by night it switches to craft beer and cocktails. The view at sunset is exceptional, and it transforms into a lounge with jazz playing.<\/p>\n Hilo Rojo Caf\u00e9<\/strong>\u2014A gallery caf\u00e9 displaying and selling artworks and handcrafts. Cold brew and lattes are the mainstays. It also holds regular artist talks, serving as a place for creators to network.<\/p>\n L’Apella Cafe & Lounge<\/strong>\u2014A space making use of French classical architecture, with crystal chandeliers and velvet sofas. Macarons, croissants, and Earl Grey tea are popular. At night it turns into a wine lounge, sometimes with live jazz.<\/p>\n MISO COFFEE<\/strong>\u2014A caf\u00e9 with large windows surrounded by plants. Fresh juices, smoothies, clean coffee, and a healthy breakfast menu. Pets welcome.<\/p>\n Every Half Roastery Th\u1ea3o \u0110i\u1ec1n<\/strong>\u2014A roaster sits enshrined in a gray-cement minimal space. Single origins are served as pour-over or siphon. A \"caf\u00e9 where you can learn,\" with careful explanations of bean origins and roast profiles.<\/p>\n Dangdo Cafe Th\u1ea3o \u0110i\u1ec1n<\/strong>\u2014A retro-modern space of red brick and vintage wooden furniture. Unique drinks that combine traditional and modern ingredients change with the seasons. The terrace seating is surrounded by greenery.<\/p>\n Dolphy Cafe<\/strong>\u2014A modern design in blue-black and gray. Espresso, cappuccino, and flat white with pastries and sandwiches. Pets welcome, and usable for both work and chatting.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Slow Thao Dien<\/strong>\u2014A vintage caf\u00e9 where, true to its name, \"everything slows down.\" It serves traditional phin drip coffee and herbal tea. The interior of neutral colors and natural materials makes you forget the passage of time.<\/p>\n Thao Dien is home to a concentration of Korean and Western international schools and has taken root as a residential area for expat families. With many English-speaking consumers, English-friendly menus and social media are a given. Rents are lower than in District 1, and the ample supply of storefronts and renovated-villa properties also lowers the hurdle to opening a caf\u00e9. Since 2024, cases of young Vietnamese creators opening venues have increased too, and it's moving away from being solely foreigner-oriented.<\/p>\nThe background to Thao Dien becoming a \"caf\u00e9 battleground\"<\/h2>\n
Style comparison of the 12 caf\u00e9s<\/h2>\n