Hidden Gem Coffee opened in 2018, the result of a long journey that Mr. Tho, a son of Bac Ninh, has tirelessly pursued. The idea for the shop was inspired by his concerns when he saw his hometown increasingly polluted by industrial development and waste from traditional craft villages.
With the desire to create a unique space and inspire green living, he traveled everywhere to find discarded materials - from plastic bottles, tires, old paint cans to unused tractor parts. Each item was cherished, repaired and transformed into new and unique items, contributing to creating a completely different space.
The restaurant is located at Hang Tre, Hanoi
The coffee shop is a four-storey building, each floor is 80m² wide, with the space decorated entirely with recycled materials. The tables, chairs, chandeliers and even the walls all bear the creative mark of Mr. Tho's hands. He does not limit his ideas to a specific material but uses a variety of materials from wood, iron, rubber, plastic, ceramics to glass. It is this meticulousness that has turned the space into a miniature art exhibition, where customers can feel the value of recycling and creativity.
The cafe is a four-storey building, each floor is 80m² wide, with the space decorated entirely with recycled materials.
Although hidden in a small alley, Hidden Gem Coffee still attracts a large number of visitors, especially foreign tourists. Especially on weekends, the shop becomes more bustling with groups of young people coming to enjoy coffee and "check-in" with this unique space.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tho shared that he wants Hidden Gem Coffee to be a place where every visitor can learn something about recycling and environmental protection. More than 3,000 plastic bottles, along with a series of other discarded materials, have been transformed into beautiful furniture and decorations, contributing to spreading the message that "trash is also a resource".
Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, owner of Hidden Gem Coffee
He believes that true beauty is not only born from perfect things but also from things that seem to have no value. “Beauty born from adversity is truly perfect,” he once said. Perhaps the name “Hidden Gem” reflects Mr. Tho’s idea that even things that seem to have no value, or even have “negative value” as he said, still contain special values, like precious gems waiting to be discovered.
Anh Tho hopes that through his coffee shop, people will realize the importance of protecting the environment and know how to use resources more efficiently. That is also the reason he chose to focus on building only one establishment instead of expanding to more branches, to ensure that every detail in the shop carries its full value and message.
Under the shimmering light emitted from chandeliers crafted from old plastic bottles, Hidden Gem Coffee appears as a unique space, where every corner is filled with meaning. This is a place to enjoy rich, delicious drinks, and also a stop for those who want to contemplate green living and human responsibility towards the environment. Every item in the shop, from tables and chairs, decorative lights to walls, tells its own story about the journey of rebirth from seemingly forgotten items, evoking a deep sense of appreciation and creativity.
Hidden Gem Coffee is proof that from seemingly worthless things, people can create wonderful things. With a unique space, meaningful message and the dedication of Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, the shop not only brings a different coffee experience but also contributes to spreading awareness of environmental protection. In the heart of bustling Hanoi, this is truly a destination like a precious gem, containing profound values and worth exploring.
Some other pictures at the restaurant:
Signature drinks at the restaurant
Every item in the shop, from tables and chairs, decorative lights to the walls, tells its own story about the journey of rebirth.
