{"id":2903,"date":"2026-06-03T22:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&p=2903"},"modified":"2026-06-03T03:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T18:35:50","slug":"alchemist-cafe-saigon","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/alchemist-cafe-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"Ho Chi Minh City\u2019s \u201cThe Alchemist Cafe\u201d\u2014a gothic caf\u00e9 of skeletons and taxidermy"},"content":{"rendered":"

In District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, turn into a narrow alley off Pasteur Street and climb to the second floor of an apartment building. Beyond the door spreads a Gothic other-world where skeletons, taxidermy, and neon signs cover the walls\u2014The Alchemist Cafe<\/strong>. It was originally \u201cTi\u1ec7m x\u0103m Alchemist,\u201d the studio of a tattoo artist known for neo-traditional tattoos. A caf\u00e9 was added on, making it a hideaway where you can immerse yourself in the extraordinary over a single cup of coffee. Its location deep in an alley also draws travelers searching for Saigon\u2019s \u201cother side.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Gothic world lined with skeletons and taxidermy<\/h2>\n

Step inside and the walls are adorned with skeletons, dark paintings, and eerily glowing neon signs. Large cabinets are lined with taxidermied animals and skulls, and the dense atmosphere feels like the set of a horror film. The outdoor balcony seating, on the other hand, transforms the mood: an open, vintage-style space with plants, a patchwork-patterned floor, and metal furniture\u2014a fun contrast with the indoor Gothic. Both are photogenic, special spots that get conversation flowing.<\/p>\n

Its roots as a tattoo studio<\/h2>\n

The core of this caf\u00e9 is the tattoo studio where artist Nhut B\u00e9 plies his craft.Neo-traditional<\/strong>is the style he\u2019s known for\u2014adding depth and vivid color to traditional designs. Sessions start from around 500,000 VND (about 3,000 yen). Discuss a design over coffee and get inked right there\u2014that kind of experience is unique to this shop, where caf\u00e9 and studio are seamlessly connected. Of course, just looking is welcome too, so you can relax while taking in the distinctive world.<\/p>\n

The specialty is coconut coffee<\/h2>\n

Drinks are reasonable at 40,000\u2013100,000 VND (about 240\u2013600 yen). The signature item iscoconut coffee (55,000 VND, about 330 yen)<\/strong>, a well-chilled cup with a rich coconut flavor. On a hot Saigon afternoon, this cup\u2014sipped while sinking into a dim sofa down a back alley\u2014is exceptional. The caf\u00e9 is open daily 10:00\u201321:00, the tattoo studio 10:00\u201320:00. Though it\u2019s in central District 1, if you\u2019re looking for a \u201chideaway deep in an alley\u201d that guidebooks tend to miss, head here first.<\/p>\n

Practical information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Shop name<\/td>\nThe Alchemist Cafe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Address<\/td>\n2nd floor, 158D Pasteur Street (left side of the alley), Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Specialty<\/td>\nCoconut coffee (55,000 VND, about 330 yen) \/ neo-traditional tattoos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price guide<\/td>\nDrinks 40,000\u2013100,000 VND (about 240\u2013600 yen) \/ tattoos from 500,000 VND (about 3,000 yen)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hours<\/td>\nCaf\u00e9 10:00\u201321:00 \/ tattoo studio 10:00\u201320:00 (daily)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contact<\/td>\n090 851 89 77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

To Saigon\u2019s \u201cother side\u201d<\/h2>\n

The Alchemist Cafe is the opposite of the bright, polished, stylish caf\u00e9. Surrounded by skeletons and taxidermy, immersing yourself in a tattoo artist\u2019s world while sipping coconut coffee\u2014it\u2019s a place that hits home precisely for those craving that kind of extraordinary. Make this Gothic other-world hidden in a District 1 back alley the gateway to your Saigon night.<\/p>\n

For Ho Chi Minh City\u2019s distinctive caf\u00e9s, seethe District 1 back-alley roaster \u201cIM:MI Coffee Roasters,\u201d<\/a>and\u201cC\u1ed8I,\u201d which brought Japan\u2019s jazz-caf\u00e9 culture,<\/a>\u300112 caf\u00e9s in Thao Dien\u2019s caf\u00e9 battleground<\/a>, where they\u2019re also introduced.<\/p>\n

Reference:TheSmartLocal The Alchemist Cafe<\/a>\uff0fAhoy Vietnam: a hidden gem of Ho Chi Minh City<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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