(VOVWORLD) - Renowned worldwide for its distinctive coffee tradition, Vietnam offers a delightful fusion of robust brews, cozy atmosphere, and warm hospitality. Step into the vibrant world of Vietnamese café culture and prepare to be enchanted by a symphony of flavors and aromas at the Thai Café on Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Hanoi. The diverse coffee culture of Vietnam is incomplete without mentioning the wood-fired roasted coffee, which makes Thai Café more appealing.
 Thai Café – since 1926 |
Nestled in the bustling Trieu Viet Vuong Street in Hanoi, Thai Café is a hidden gem that beckons coffee enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. In this coffee shop, amidst the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans, patrons are transported to a bygone era where tradition meets modernity.
 Thai Café – since 1926 |
What sets Thai Café apart is its dedication to the art of wood-fired roasting, a time-honored method that infuses each bean with a rich, smoky flavor. As you sip on your meticulously brewed cup of coffee, you’ll taste the essence of Vietnamese heritage and craftsmanship.
With nearly a century of innovation and development, Thai Coffee brings forth coffee beans crafted entirely through traditional manual methods. It’s the wood-fired roasted coffee brewed with a filter – a distinct aspect of the shop that has been passed down through time to its fourth generation today.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hieu, the current owner talks about the history of the café: “In 1926, my great-grandfather was a street vendor selling coffee – one of the first coffee sellers in Hanoi. In the 1920s and 30s of the 20th century, there was no concept of cafés, only street coffee vendors.”
 Mr. Nguyen Duc Hieu – the current owner of Thai Café |
Talking to VOV, Mr. Duc Hieu passionately shared the history of his family’s heirloom café.
“In the past, coffee culture was not popular in Vietnam, creating challenges for for coffee sellers. The first coffee beans that my grandfather used were actually not from Vietnam or France but from China. At that time, around Hang Buom and Hang Be Streets, the area where the Red River entered, Chinese merchants had many goods to sell. My great-grandfather bought small packages of their coffee beans, roasted them in a pan and pounded the coffee. As I heard, at that time making coffee was very simple, roasting coffee beans in a pan, adding the coffee to brew, then filtering it through a towel or other tool to extract a generous amount of coffee for guests,” said Hieu.
The coffee at Thai Café carries the very essence of Hanoi, from its flavor to its color. The bitter and naturally sour taste blend together to create a light and harmonious balance for the ‘smoky-flavored’ wood-fired roasted coffee. A small cup is quickly served and enjoyed with condensed milk, awakening many emotions.
 The strong coffee flavor creates the distinctive brand of Thai Café.
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Hieu elaborates on the reasons for choosing wood roasting over other techniques:
“The taste of coffee roasted in a wood-fired roaster is very special. This roaster is very tight, with almost no gaps for steam to escape. When the roaster is this tight, the smoke from the wood mixes with the coffee beans during the roasting process, making the coffee very fragrant, tasty, and unique.”
For decades on the small corner of Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Thai Café has been a place where many customers regularly come to enjoy Thai Café’s cups of coffee.
 Thai café is proud of its wood-fired coffee |
But Thai Café is more than just a coffee shop. It’s also a sanctuary where locals and travelers come together to unwind and connect. The cozy atmosphere, adorned with vintage decor and rustic charm, invites you to linger awhile and immerse yourself in the rhythm of daily life. Whether you’re savoring a velvety latte or indulging in a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee, every sip at Thai Café is a journey of discovery.
 Thai café is proud of its wood-fired coffee |
Thai café has a special, charming decor. The café mixes old and new styles to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. There are wooden tables and chairs, and vintage decorations that give the place a nostalgic feel. Modern touches add a bit of elegance. The walls have beautiful paintings and photos, making the space visually interesting. Soft lighting and well-placed plants enhance the overall feel, making it a great spot to relax or hang out with friends.
The simple yet thoughtful decor makes Thai Café a memorable place to visit.
 Mr. Hoang says he is a regular customer of Thai Café |
Mr. Hoang from Hanoi says he has been a regular customer of Thai café for 20 years: “I’ve been drinking coffee here for 20 years. First, the coffee here is delicious, and second, the seating is comfortable, and third, it’s close to Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This shop has been around since 1926, almost a hundred years. There must be a secret to its taste, as you can feel when you drink it, so it’s not surprising it’s always crowded.”
 Thai Cafe is also popular among young people, says Thanh Tra |
And it’s not only for older customers, but the space and drinks at the shop are also suitable for young people.
Ms. Thanh Tra from Ha Noi says the café is her favorite destination: “Thai Café is one of my favorite choices for weekends when I want to hang out with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee to before going to work on Monday morning. I think this is a rather special café for me because its decoration is quite different from other cafés. Instead of following current trends, the café’s space gives me a friendly and cozy feeling.”
Like a small ‘heritage’ in the heart of Hanoi, Thai Café continues to captivate people with its unique charm.
“The desire to preserve this emotional aspect is irreplaceable, and as for the quality of Thai Café’s products, it will continue to improve and remain true to its core values,” said Mr. Hieu candidly.