Preserving the soul of the old town
The owner of Pho Hang Cafe - Mr. Do Anh Duc, was born and raised in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, a place he spent his entire primary and secondary school years with. The familiar images of the streets, with small alleys, street signs and the rhythm of life in old Hanoi are deeply engraved in his memory. From his love for the capital, he founded Pho Hang Cafe, with the desire to create a space not only to enjoy coffee but also to explore and honor Hanoi's culture.
The restaurant is located at 251 Hong Ha Street, Phuc Tan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Mr. Do Anh Duc, owner of Cafe Pho Hang
The house where the shop is located has a history of more than 50 years, and Mr. Duc has kept it almost intact, in order to preserve the "soul" of this place. The space was built based on the idea of recreating the famous poem about Hanoi's 36 streets. From the outside to the inside, there will be street name signs such as Hang Buom, Hang Ma, Hang Dong... along with items simulating the characteristics of each street.
First floor space at the restaurant
Each floor in the restaurant is arranged methodically, each detail contributes to evoking old memories. The signs of the old streets such as Hang Buom, Hang Ma, Hang Dong were collected by Mr. Duc over many years, each sign is the result of a painstaking search. Mr. Duc shared: "It was very difficult for me to collect these items, it took many years. But each item has its own value, helping the restaurant to preserve the unique features of Hanoi."
Duc's meticulousness and dedication are not only reflected in the space but also in each drink. Cafe Pho Hang offers unique flavors, carefully prepared to preserve the spirit of Hanoi. Organic coffee is imported from the Central Highlands, brewed in a filter and only ground when requested by customers, ensuring freshness. Egg coffee is made from free-range eggs, not using industrial eggs, each cup requires two eggs, bringing a rich, fatty flavor.
Besides coffee, the shop also serves herbal teas from Lan Ong, an old street famous for its Fujian herbal medicine shops. These drinks are not only delicious but also carry with them a story of attachment to Hanoi culture.
Mr. Duc's meticulousness and dedication are not only shown through the space but also in each drink.
Aspiration from love for Hanoi
Coming to Cafe Pho Hang, visitors will step into a unique cultural world, where time seems to stand still in the space of old Hanoi. The yellow color typical of the old days covers the entire shop, from the walls, ceilings, to the smallest decorative details. The displayed items simulate familiar items of the old town such as oil lamps, wooden fans, or old signs, all delicately arranged.
Upstairs at Pho Hang Restaurant
The space of the restaurant recreates the history of Hanoi through every corner. From the outside to the inside, each area is designed based on the characteristics of each street. Customers who love the culture and history of the capital will definitely feel the dedication in every detail. One customer shared: "The space of the restaurant is very Hanoi, reminiscent of the old days. For people like me, this is really a place that brings a sense of familiarity."
Not only does it recreate the space, Cafe Pho Hang also organizes many interesting cultural and artistic events such as making pho rolls, making egg coffee, or singing Xam. These activities are not only aimed at domestic customers but also attract a large number of international tourists, contributing to promoting Hanoi culture to the world. Mr. Duc shared that about 90% of the customers coming to the shop are young people, which makes him surprised and happy to see many young people interested in learning about old Hanoi.
The restaurant currently has 5 floors, each floor is decorated in the style of old Hanoi.
“It is hard work and time-consuming, but I do it because I like it, I want to preserve the beauty and spirit of the past,” Duc confided. Thanks to his passion and dedication, he has met many people who share his love for Hanoi, turning this coffee shop into a place to connect like-minded souls. Duc cherishes the dream of opening 36 coffee shops in 36 old streets of Hanoi, so that each street has its own space to recreate its cultural values. All of this is simply for one reason: Love for Hanoi.
“It's hard work and time consuming, but I do it because I like it. I want to preserve the beauty and soul of those old days.”
In addition to the indoor area, the restaurant also has
outdoor spaces such as balconies, rooftops
After more than two years of operation, Cafe Pho Hang has become a familiar place for those who love Hanoi. With a culturally rich space, quality drinks and interesting events, the cafe is not only a place to relax but also a journey to explore culture, art and history. Coming up, on December 15, the cafe will organize the event "Hanoi - 36 Interchanges", a special program by a group of students from the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts - Hanoi National University. The event recreates the beauty of 36 streets through activities such as grinding ink to ask for calligraphy and painting pictures of the old town.
This is a testament to the connection between generations and the spread of the capital's cultural values. Whether you are a Hanoian looking for old memories, or a tourist wanting to explore the beauty of this Imperial land, Cafe Pho Hang is a destination not to be missed. Come visit to fully experience the spirit of Hanoi's 36 streets!
