Ho Chi Minh City might begin its day with the crisp sound of motorbikes, with a hastily bought sandwich at a street corner… But somewhere amidst the hustle and bustle, there are still those who choose to start with a cup of coffee – black or with milk, hot or iced, to sit down or take away – as a silent ritual. It's a habit that many maintain without prior arrangement, as if a cup of coffee is an essential part of truly starting a new day.
Low plastic chairs, rich black coffee, lively conversations, each person having their own story.
A moment of transition in mood.
The city wakes up early. Before the sun even rises, people are already sitting on the sidewalk, a steaming cup of coffee in front of them. Watching the sparse crowds, their hearts slow down. At that moment, coffee isn't just for waking up – it's for tranquility. A moment of stillness before life begins its chaotic rush. A moment of stillness to ask oneself a simple question: "Am I okay today?"
Around 6 a.m., the corner of the street next to the market was filled with cheerful laughter. A few Be taxi drivers stopped their vehicles and gathered at their usual sidewalk cafe.
"I've been drinking my morning coffee for about ten years now," one of the drivers said with a laugh. "If I don't drink it, I feel restless; my mind wanders while driving, and I get easily irritated. A cup of coffee wakes me up, it's a habit, and the day starts off properly."
Many people grow up surrounded by the aroma of coffee brewed by their parents. As they grow older, they become the kind of people who can't wake up without coffee. It's not about showing off a sophisticated taste or lifestyle – it's simply a part of the familiar rhythm of everyday life. Like a first breath, it's enough to make one feel they still have some control amidst the unpredictability of life.
The aroma of coffee – the scent of memories.
Ho Chi Minh City is a kaleidoscope of colors and interwoven scents. But the aroma of a morning cup of coffee is something unique, wholesome, and familiar. It permeates from the pushcart at the end of the alley, from the old street vendor's stall, from the roadside coffee shop to the modern cafes quietly brewing coffee with machines.
Whether it's drip coffee from a traditional filter or espresso shot straight into a cup, that aroma is the first sign that the day has arrived. Regardless of the brewing method, people in Ho Chi Minh City still turn to their morning coffee as a deeply ingrained habit – not just to drink it, but also to slow down, to feel like themselves amidst the hustle and bustle.
Whether it's drip coffee from a filter or espresso shot straight into a cup, that aroma is the first sign that the day has arrived.
It was dawn on a day in mid-May, the air still chilly from the rain the night before. I quickly put on a light jacket and took a stroll around the small alley where I live.
My eyes fell upon a simple stainless steel table placed on the porch, crammed with cups of drip coffee. Curious, I stopped, but before I could order, two or three other people had already lined up behind me.
The shop owner smiled as she poured the drink:
"I've been selling here so long that I know all the customers. Anyone who drinks coffee here in the morning gets addicted. The girl next door buys a cup every morning to take to work; she can't go without it."
Some regular customers walk in and just nod, without even ordering – because the owner has known their preferences for a long time. A small gesture of camaraderie in the heart of a big city.
The city may change, but the morning coffee doesn't.
Amidst a rapidly changing Ho Chi Minh City, a morning cup of coffee still retains its unique charm: simple, unhurried, and warm.
Several Be drivers stopped their cars and gathered by the coffee shop.
It prompts people to pause, even if only for a few minutes, to take a deep breath and savor something unhurried. It could be a bitter taste on the tongue, a wisp of smoke rising from the glass, or a ray of sunlight filtering through the frosted glass of a small café.
That habit, seemingly insignificant, is a quiet but precious piece that allows the city to retain its soul – its warmth, its authenticity, its unhurried pace amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
And so, if one morning you walk down a small alley and see someone sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, don't ask them what they're thinking or who they're waiting for. Perhaps they're just enjoying themselves in their own way – a cup of coffee to start the day, a little peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
More than just a standalone highlight, the "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea 2025" festival is also the opening event for a series of summer activities running from May to August at Gigamall. Immediately after the festival, customers will be able to experience:
• The 2025 Summer Festival Campaign - themed "Safari Adventure" - features vibrant displays of giant forest creatures and surprising attractions.
• Summer Private Sale event with hundreds of deals up to 50% off at all booths.
• Unique entertainment zones featuring pioneering Shoppertainment technology in Vietnam: Light City High-Tech Educational Entertainment Zone (6th floor), Alpha Games entertainment complex (B1 floor), Rainbow Jungle (6th floor), Van Gogh & Monet multi-sensory interactive exhibition (8th floor)...
• Minigames and special gifts for customers who shop or check in at the summer event series.
With meticulous preparation and systematic investment, Gigamall aims to bring a summer full of color, energy, and joy to every family – true to its vision of becoming the leading entertainment, shopping, and cultural destination in Ho Chi Minh City.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/ngay-moi-khong-ca-phe-thi-chua-tinh-196250513103510667.htm
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