VI
EN
Hidden Gem Coffee, which opened in 2018, is the culmination of a long journey pursued by Mr. Tho, a native of Bac Ninh province. The idea for the cafe stemmed from his concerns about the increasing pollution in his hometown caused by industrial development and waste from traditional craft villages.
Driven by a desire to create a unique and inspiring green living space, he traveled far and wide searching for discarded materials – from plastic bottles, tires, and old paint cans to parts of unused tractors. Each item was carefully nurtured, repaired, and transformed into novel objects, contributing to a truly distinctive space.
The restaurant is located on Hang Tre Street, Hanoi.
The cafe is housed in a four-story building, each floor spanning 80 square meters, with the entire space decorated using recycled materials. The tables, chairs, chandeliers, and even the walls bear the creative imprint of Mr. Tho. He doesn't limit his ideas to a single material, using a diverse range from wood, iron, rubber, plastic, ceramics, and glass. This meticulous attention to detail transforms the cafe into a miniature art exhibition, where customers can appreciate the value of recycling and creativity.
The cafe is housed in a four-story building, each floor measuring 80 square meters, with the space entirely decorated using recycled materials.
Despite being tucked away in a small alley, Hidden Gem Coffee still attracts a large number of visitors, especially foreign tourists. Particularly on weekends, the cafe becomes even busier with groups of young people coming to enjoy coffee and "check-in" with this unique space.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tho shared that he wanted Hidden Gem Coffee to be a place where every visitor could learn something about recycling and environmental protection. He transformed over 3,000 plastic bottles, along with a variety of other discarded materials, into beautiful furniture and decorative items, contributing to spreading the message that "waste is also a resource."
Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, owner of Hidden Gem Coffee.
He believes that true beauty is not only born from perfection but also from seemingly worthless things. "The beauty born from adversity is truly perfect," he once said. Perhaps the name "Hidden Gem" accurately reflects Thơ's idea: that even seemingly worthless objects, or even those with "negative value" as he puts it, still contain special value, like precious gems waiting to be discovered.
Anh Thơ hopes that through his cafe, people will realize the importance of protecting the environment and learn how to use resources more efficiently. That's also why he chose to focus on building only one location instead of expanding with more branches, to ensure that every detail in the cafe carries the full value and message.
Under the shimmering light emanating from chandeliers crafted from recycled plastic bottles, Hidden Gem Coffee emerges as a unique space where every corner holds meaning. It's a place to enjoy rich, flavorful drinks, and also a haven for those seeking reflection on green living and human responsibility towards the environment. Every item in the cafe, from the tables and chairs to the decorative lamps and even the walls, tells its own story of rebirth from seemingly forgotten objects, evoking a profound sense of appreciation and creativity.
Hidden Gem Coffee is proof that from seemingly worthless things, people can create something extraordinary. With its unique space, meaningful message, and the dedication of Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, the cafe not only offers a distinctive coffee experience but also contributes to spreading environmental awareness. In the heart of bustling Hanoi, it truly is a gem-like destination, harboring profound value and well worth exploring.
Here are some more pictures from the restaurant:
The signature drink at the cafe.
Every item in the cafe, from the tables and chairs to the decorative lamps and even the walls, tells its own story of rebirth.
