(VOVWORLD) - To mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification, coffee shops across Vietnam have quickly embraced the "patriotic coffee" trend. Beyond decorating their spaces with national flags, many cafés have introduced themed drink menus featuring iconic images like the Red Flag with Yellow Star and the map of Vietnam. This creative approach has gone viral on social media and drawn in large crowds of curious and patriotic customers.
 Do Phu Coffee Shop in Ho Chi Minh City used to be a secret base of the legendary Saigon Special Forces. (Photo: Le Nam/VOV) |
Since launching its “Independence – Freedom – Happiness” drink combo, a café on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi Old Quarter has become more crowded with customers lining up during peak hours. The shop’s interior features banners, posters, and a prominent flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam displayed at the entrance, evoking powerful memories of the nation's historic moment 50 years ago.
 Independence” tea at Chini Tea & Coffee in the Diplomatic Corps area in Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi. (Photo: VOV5/Le Chi) |
Trinh Ha Trang, the shop’s manager, explained: “We wanted to inspire patriotism in young people. The flag-themed toppings on our drinks are made from baking ingredients like cereal powder and cookies, and they taste great!”
In Ho Chi Minh City, many cafés have redesigned their interiors with national flags and photo corners featuring nostalgic elements such as maps of Vietnam and vintage newspaper stands. These setups, which blend nostalgia with modern aesthetics, have proven especially popular among young customers eager to “check in” on social media. Some shops even offer hand-held flags and scarves as photo props.
Among the most distinctive is Ống Coffee Shop, located near the Independence Palace in District 1, which serves drinks in reusable bamboo cups adorned with a national flag and patriotic decals.
 Nguyen Huynh, owner of Ong Coffee Shop in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: nongthonviet.com.vn) |
Nguyen Huynh, the owner and creator of this concept, said the shop has launched three special cup designs with messages on asserting Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.
Huynh said: “After adding these three products to our menu, our revenue has skyrocketed 5 to 10 times higher than before. We used to sell about 100 cups per day, now it’s around 500, and on weekends, it can reach 1,000. The new items are especially popular with young people.”
 A young person checks in at Chini Tea & Coffee in Hanoi (Photo: VOV5/Le Chi) |
For many customers, the first thing they do after receiving their drink is snap a photo. Young patrons, TikTokers, and social media reviewers often take their drinks to the Independence Palace to check in, fueling a trend that continues to grow.
Lam Thien Phu, a customer from Binh Tan District, said: “I’m really impressed. The product is environmentally friendly, and the bamboo cups are beautifully decorated with the national flag and other creative visuals.”
From well-known chains to small local cafés, coffee shops across Vietnam have donned a “new coat” of national pride.