Vietnam's Ultimate Instagramable Cafes- Brunch Guide

I am not the kind of person who knows anything about coffee. Drip coffee, filter coffee, iced coffee- all of these things are alien concepts to someone who only orders the closest thing to milk at a cafe! When you think of coffee giants you’ll probably think about Brazil or Ethiopia. But Vietnam is now the second largest exporter of coffee! For a country that wasn’t so far from destitution in 1975, coffee production (an introduction by the French during the 19th century) has helped transform the Vietnamese economy. It’s no wonder then, that after spending two weeks travelling through the country, that I finally saw the light.

If you follow me on Instagram then you’d know how I painstakingly scour the dregs of the Internet to plan travel itineraries. Your favourite holiday app has nothing on me. As such, I’ve devised a kind of guide to coffee shops from across the country. If you’re anything like me, you care only about two things when visiting a new place: the food and the decor.

Note Coffee, Hanoi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenotecoffee/
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: Comfortable/quirky
Setting: Spans a three for hole in the wall overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake
What to order: Vietnamese coffee; strawberry and pineapple smoothie
Price: < £5 for two
Service: ★★★★★

OTree Coffee, Hanoi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1023061445/otree-coffee/
Interior Instagramability: ★★★
Atmosphere: calm and quiet; great R&B playlist
Setting: Greenhouse inspired walls; spacious and bright
What to order: Coconut coffee; daisy tea
Price: < £5 for two
Service: ★★★★

Hanoi Social Club

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanoisocialclub/
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★
Atmosphere: vintage interiors; independent art
Setting: In a nook and cranny; perfect to hide from Hanoi traffic
What to order: the poached eggs and raisin French toast from their brunch menu
Price: < £20 for two
Service: ★★★★★

Hill Station, Hoi An

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1033008676/the-hill-station-hoi-an/ Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: Quiet and dimly lit; perfect for breakfast
Setting: Faded colonial walls spanning two floors; a short walk from tourist attractions
What to order: Vietnamese coffee; croque monsieur
Price: < £10 for two
Service: ★★★★★

Espresso Station, Hoi An

Instagram: instagram.com/the_espresso_station
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: Small and cosy
Setting: Seating is mostly outdoors; lovely on a sunny morning.
What to order: Activated charcoal latte; beetroot latte
Price: < £10 for two
Service: ★★★★★

Propaganda, Ho Chi Minh City

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/222486294/propaganda-saigon/ 
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: Busy, lively; great for people watching
Setting: textiles inspired by Vietnamese posters; murals; District 1 location
What to order: Seafood banh mi; Vietnamese coffee
Price: < £15 for two
Service: ★★★★★

Runam D’Or, Ho Chi Minh City

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runamdor/  
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: luxurious and refined
Setting: old French architecture mixed with Vietnamese textiles; outdoor seating overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral
What to order: mocktails
Price: < £15 for two
Service: ★★★★★

The Vintage Emporium, Ho Chi Minh City

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevintageemporium.cafe/
Interior Instagramability: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: bohemian
Setting: repurposed furniture and beautiful light on the top floor
What to order: Moroccan eggs from their brunch menu
Price: < £15 for two
Service: ★★★★★

This list is by no means absolute, there were places like the Cafe Apartment in Ho Chi Minh City that I wish I went to in the day to show you how quirky it is! For now, these are my top picks for cafes in Vietnam.