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Located in a small alley on Hang Tre Street (Hanoi), Hidden Gem Cafe is an eco-friendly cafe. It attracts visitors with its charming and unique decor made from recycled materials. Regarding the name, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, the owner of Hidden Gem Cafe, explains that it means finding gems in trash, conveying the message of working together to raise awareness about environmental protection.
Located in a small alley on Hang Tre Street (Hanoi), Hidden Gem Cafe is an eco-friendly cafe.
Spreading the message of environmental protection.
Environmental pollution is always a hot topic and receives a lot of attention. Wherever we go, we can easily encounter public garbage dumps created right on the roadside in unauthorized locations, with foul-smelling garbage and no solutions for collection or treatment.
As a native of Bac Ninh, Tho Nguyen witnessed many people suffering from cancer due to environmental pollution caused by the numerous traditional craft villages and the lack of proper waste treatment and collection procedures. From this experience, the idea of a mission to protect the environment began to take shape in his mind.
The items in the cafe are made entirely from recycled waste, which is then recyclable and reused.
“At the cafe, all the items are made entirely from recycled waste. The raw materials are trash, such as dirty bottles floating in the river, wooden planks, iron bars, plastic sheets, dirty tires… It takes a lot of time and effort to clean them, then transform them into raw materials to make decorative items for the cafe,” said the owner of Hidden Gem Cafe.
According to Thơ Nguyễn, he obtains raw materials for his shop in three ways. Initially, before he had a truck, he used his motorbike to scout ahead. While traveling, he would identify areas with waste to collect and recycle. The second method was buying materials at very low prices or asking locals for them. Finally, he sourced materials from his customers. “Initially, the shop didn’t have as many items as it does now. Later, customers brought their own to the shop for recycling,” Thơ Nguyễn explained.
Through the skillful hands of Mr. Tho, recycled products are gradually being created.
Through the skillful hands of Mr. Tho, recycled products are gradually being created, ranging from small to large, from simple to complex, and becoming increasingly diverse in type. These include coffee tables made from car tires, doors, and plastic bottles filled with color that become decorative flowers or beautiful dragonflies…
"I alone can't recycle all the waste. But if a thousand or a million people come here, hopefully they will see and remember. And only when everyone participates in recycling activities can they understand and implement them. That's what I hope for: to create a green environment and a green lifestyle," Thơ Nguyễn shared.
A chandelier made from bottles and an old guitar.
Fish tank made from car tires
The chair made of car tires.
Peaceful green space
Tucked away in a small alley in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hidden Gem Cafe perfectly embodies the saying, "It's a small alley, a small street, and that's where my house is." Upon arrival, you should get off your motorbike, turn off the engine, and walk inside because "tranquility" is the top priority. Contrary to its exterior appearance, the interior is quite spacious, spread across three floors.
The common thread is that the inspiration for the entire cafe still stems from the use of recycled materials.
The first floor is used as a parking area, with the bar and ordering counter also located there. The second floor features an interior space with muted colors and warm yellow lighting, creating a tranquil, vintage atmosphere. Finally, the third floor is a sun-drenched rooftop terrace filled with greenery, decorated with vintage cars and furniture made from recycled materials.
Each space at Hidden Gem Cafe is decorated in a different style. However, the common thread is that the entire cafe's inspiration stems from the use of recycled materials. Customers will be particularly impressed with the shimmering, colorful ceiling or the tables made from car tires and even on the seats of vintage Japanese Cub motorcycles.
The interior space, with its muted color tones and warm yellow lighting, enhances the tranquil, vintage atmosphere.
Not only impressive with its recycled items, the third floor of the cafe also recreates murals depicting familiar street corners of Hanoi. Here, you can sit all day enjoying the cool breezes of Hanoi's autumn, slowly feeling time pass and your soul find peace.
With an eco-friendly approach, the cafe minimizes the use of single-use plastic. Drinks are served in the bodies of old, chipped glass wine bottles, and the straws used are made of stainless steel and bamboo.
The cafe recreates murals depicting familiar street corners of Hanoi.
