Saigon in late May is often capricious. Just a moment ago, the sun was shining brightly like honey pouring down on every eaves, but only a moment later, gray clouds were rolling in from the river. I had just managed to squeeze through the traffic on Le Thanh Ton Street when the first drops of summer rain poured down. The wind blew through the green tamarind trees, stirring up a thin layer of dust on the road.
In a hurry, I looked up and saw the words Tea'space printed in small letters on an elegant white board, hidden on the second floor of an old house. Like a gentle invitation, I turned in and walked up the old stairs leading to a space of tranquility.
The half-opened door opened to another world – where the noise of the city seemed to be blocked from the last step.
The half-closed door opens to another world – where the noise of the city seems to be blocked from the last step. Tea'space Le Thanh Ton branch is not too large, but everything in the shop is taken care of just enough to create a warm, calm atmosphere. Soft yellow light spreads on the floor, low chairs placed near the window, a few small ceramic vases with dry branches and leaves, the gentle scent of tea permeates the air as if this place has never known a rush.
A small table corner by the window, the ideal place to watch the rain through the green tamarind canopy
I chose a seat right next to the glass door that opened onto the surprisingly green space of the old tamarind trees. Outside, the rain began to pour heavily, the wind swirling in gusts, making the tamarind leaves sway as if telling a story. In that space, the sound of water pouring from the teapot was like a meditative sound. I ordered a pot of oolong tea – the tea that the staff suggested was “perfect for drinking on the days when Saigon is changing”.
Tea pouring moment – the sound of peace
The first cup of tea had a light aroma and a refreshing taste. But it wasn’t until the second and third cups that I truly felt the subtle diffusion in each sip of warm water. It was as if the flavor was gradually peeling off layers of dust, awakening a familiar yet distant memory: the old afternoons in the countryside, when my grandmother would sit on the porch, pouring cups of tea while the rain drizzled in the fields.
Tea'space is not simply a tea shop. This is where people can find a moment of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, a refuge for the mind amidst the hustle and bustle of life. The shop plays soft classical music, enough to keep the silence at a suitable level. Occasionally, there will be a few guests sitting opposite each other, not needing to say too much, just quietly enjoying tea together. Some people work, read books, some write diaries, some just quietly watch the rain.
A small cabinet in the middle of the room displays several types of tea and handmade ceramic teapots and cups.
A small cabinet in the middle of the room displays several types of tea and handmade ceramic teapots and cups. It feels like each item here has its own story, from the selection of materials to the way it is presented. I asked a staff member and learned that the shop occasionally organizes workshops on tea ceremony and tea meditation, where people not only learn how to make tea but also learn how to slow down and purify their hearts like filtering tea leaves in a cup.
From the balcony looking down the street
That afternoon, I sat there for a long time. The rain outside gradually stopped, but inside me, the aftertaste of afternoon tea lingered. Tea is not just a drink, but a journey of feelings. And Tea'space, in the early summer rain on Le Thanh Ton, was the peaceful starting point for that journey.
