Amidst the hustle and bustle of hundreds and thousands of luxurious and modern cafes springing up in the capital, here and there, hidden in every corner and alley, nostalgic cafes, reminiscent of the subsidy period, are still held in the hearts of many people, especially the young. Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still cafe corners that take visitors "back in time" to the beautiful memories of the previous generation.
Travellive introduces to readers 3 subsidized coffee shops in Hanoi below:
1. Canteen 109
Located at the end of a small alley in a residential area on Xa Dan Street, without a fancy signboard or elaborate tables and chairs, the shop attracts people with its simple and rustic appearance. The main colors of the shop are yellow and dark green - the colors of old houses in Hanoi.
Coming to Canteen 109, we will return to our childhood because we are so familiar with the divine snacks that are deeply engraved in our minds. That is why many diners say that Canteen 109 is known as "a place to find childhood" with the distant memories of the 8x and 9x generations.
The restaurant is decorated very simply and gently but brings a strange feeling of peace.
Recreating an old canteen, the yellow walls are dotted with green moss, the roof is covered with corrugated iron, the door is painted green. Customers coming to the restaurant can find "legendary" objects associated with their childhood such as instant noodles for children, peach blossom jam... and a corner displaying familiar comic books such as Dragon Ball, Teppi the Bad, Conan... In addition, the restaurant also sells lemon instant noodles, sweet potato bread and some fast food and snacks familiar to customers. All of this creates a warm, familiar feeling in the Canteen like the scene in grandparents' house in the past. Different items are arranged randomly but not forced or flashy, but contribute to soothing the overall visual aspect.
Food and drinks at Canteen 109 are reasonably priced, averaging 20,000-40,000 VND/dish. This is an attractive destination not only for those who want to find nostalgic memories but also for young tourists who want to learn and experience a bit of the subsidy period atmosphere through this very special space.
Address: House 109 opposite house number 26, lane 198 Xa Dan, Phuong Lien, Dong Da.
2. Warehouse Coffee
It is still a subsidized space, but when entering the shop, the cozy and romantic feeling is present, helping you feel most clearly at Nha Kho coffee. The 90s decoration style, nostalgia and quietness are perfectly recreated, but do not cause a feeling of claustrophobia and clutter. Wooden tables and chairs, cassette tapes, televisions, old sewing machines are uniquely arranged, creating a highlight in this place.
Warehouse Coffee is one of the vintage style coffee shops in the capital, from the door, the table, the chair, the flower vase, everything reminds people of a peaceful, familiar Hanoi in everyone's memories.
The ceiling is designed low, with dark yellow lights creating a warm space. Perhaps that is why when customers come to the shop, they feel more familiar, closer, like being at home. Nha Kho Coffee brings a warm space with dark tones and a time-stained scene. The shop is located in an alley so it is quite quiet, you will be able to immerse yourself in the lyrical music of Trinh Cong Son, Bang Kieu... or sit and read a good book for a really gentle day.
Warehouse Coffee has a front yard and balcony, so the space is airy. Every day, the shop is decorated with fresh flower vases of all colors, giving people a pleasant and comfortable feeling.
Address: Lane 599 De La Thanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
3. Xoan Coffee
The coffee shop is located modestly in a small alley near Truong Chinh Street (Hanoi), seemingly unknown to anyone. Yet, there are many regular customers, because those who have been there once will never forget this unique, nostalgic coffee shop.
Xoan cafe is an old-style two-story house with a small garden, with rustic wooden tables and chairs interspersed with green flower pots. The architecture here is typical of old Hanoi with typical 20th-century floor tiles, a small and steep staircase, and a low floor. The walls are old and not painted. In some places, the plaster is peeling off, revealing the red bricks, and in some places, it looks like moss.
Some people compare Xoan to a clear sound amidst the hustle and bustle of music, because in the middle of a noisy city, it is impossible to find many peaceful perspectives like that.
Inside the restaurant is an old space with wooden tables and chairs, moss-covered walls, and yellow lights flickering on the ground floor and upstairs. All of these create a picture full of memories in the eyes of Hanoians and full of newness in the journey of experience for tourists everywhere. All tables and chairs, light bulbs, appliances such as fans, televisions... are old, bringing diners back to the subsidy period.
From the upstairs window, diners can enjoy a variety of drinks and snacks that have been associated with many generations such as sunflower seeds, beef jerky, instant noodles... looking out into the distance to admire the green trees and vines spreading their leaves covering the front yard of the restaurant.
Address: No. 5, Alley 411 Truong Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi.
