In the hustle and bustle of urban life, sometimes we just wish for a place to stop, where time stands still, where culture is not only displayed but also comes alive in every corner. And strangely enough, there is a coffee shop that has chosen that bold way: erecting a signboard with a large painting in the Dong Ho style, featuring the image of a large tiger, majestic and humorous, holding a cup of steaming coffee. A more impressive opening among the myriad of bright LED signs in the city.
At first sight, càn.cafe made a strong impression. Not by elaborate architectural techniques or bright lights, but by something very Vietnamese. The main gate is a painting "The Mouse Wedding", one of the classic works of Dong Ho folk paintings but transformed into a modern style using AI technology.
Mice dressed in suits, sneakers, holding phones or cameras are both humorous and reflective of a changing society. Tradition and modernity are no longer in conflict, but blend together in a creative mix.
The space of the restaurant
Dong Ho style is not just an aesthetic choice. It is a cultural statement. Originating from Dong Ho village - a craft village located on the banks of the Duong River, in Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh - this folk painting genre has existed for hundreds of years, imprinting on the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. Unlike modern paintings, Dong Ho paintings are carved on wood panels, hand-printed with layers of colors from natural materials: green from indigo, red from ochre, yellow from dried chrysanthemums, white from crushed seashells... and especially printed on Do paper - a thin, durable paper made from Do tree bark, evoking elegance and closeness.
The themes in the paintings are simple yet profound: a flock of chicks, a buffalo plowing the field, a baby holding a fish, or profound metaphors such as "Collecting Coconuts", "The Wedding of Rats", "The Herd of Yin and Yang Pigs"... reflecting folk life and simple yet profound philosophies of life.
The founder of the shop - Mr. Phan Minh Long shared: "For young people, Dong Ho paintings are easier to relate to and approach than other paintings such as Kim Hoang paintings or Hang Trong paintings. Dong Ho paintings are not too artistic or too folk. I don't want to exaggerate anything, I will choose the simplest and most rustic things so that everyone can approach them as quickly as possible."
Decorate typical Vietnamese cone-shaped products
One of the highlights of the restaurant is the ceiling which is designed to simulate a pyramid-shaped roof.
Bringing that spirit into the coffee shop is not only an innovation, but also an effort to bring folk culture closer to young people. The space is designed to be open, with lots of light, but there is also no lack of separate spaces for people who come to work, read books or simply find a quiet afternoon.
The main colors are red and brown, reminiscent of the tiled roofs and brick floors of old village houses. The floor is paved with terracotta tiles, the type often found in communal houses and ancient pagodas, both rustic and sturdy. Each step echoes the soft sound of terracotta tiles, as if evoking a slower and quieter pace of life in the middle of the city.
AI-designed water cups with folk motifs
The thatched roof system is exposed like the simple yet profound roof of an ancient house. The light from the cloud-shaped LED lights shines down, both real and dreamy, evoking familiar images in traditional Asian art. Visitors not only admire the paintings but also feel like they are stepping into them.
An interesting detail is that the paper cups here are not outside the cultural flow: each cup has a large sticker printed with a Dong Ho painting, along with a small caption about the meaning of the painting. A cup of coffee is now not just a drink but also an experience - a story imbued with the Vietnamese spirit.
The private space is also taken care of. In the deep corner of the shop is a large wooden table, separated by a soft red velvet curtain like tea smoke, accompanied by a yellow table lamp creating a cozy, private feeling. Those who need to concentrate on work can come here, a place separate from the rest but not isolated. The music is played softly, mainly orchestral or acoustic music with the zither and monochord, which is very suitable for the Dong Ho spirit that the shop pursues.
The ceiling is designed with cloud-shaped lights.
However, what makes the shop truly valuable is not just the space. Each drink here is imbued with the Vietnamese spirit. Coffee, tea, chocolate... are all carefully selected from small farms in Lam Dong - where the altitude, climate, and soil are ideal for growing specialty crops.
Each coffee bean is hand-roasted in small batches to preserve its full flavor. The tea is harvested early in the morning and lightly dried to preserve its aroma. Even the condensed milk, if used, is selected from domestic brands, ensuring its characteristic richness and aroma.
This cafe is not just a place to sell drinks. It is a place to evoke cultural memories, to arouse interest in folk art. It shows that traditional culture is not “outdated”, just need to be placed in the right place, given a new wind, they will revive strongly and inspiringly.
Among countless Korean - Japanese - European style coffee shops, sana.cafe is like a peaceful and unique Dong Ho "oasis". A place where a cup of coffee not only wakes us up but also makes us think. A place that reminds us that, in the journey of integration and modernization, old things, if preserved, will become the most sustainable foundation.
