Top Coffee Shops in Saigon

Why It Matters

The guide spotlights Saigon’s evolving coffee landscape, helping tourists discover authentic experiences while signaling lucrative opportunities for coffee entrepreneurs targeting Vietnam’s fast‑growing specialty market.

Key Takeaways

• Saigon's cafe scene is vibrant, fast‑growing, and diverse
• Victoria Ly showcases top spots for traditional iced coffee
• Cafe Mjelly in District 2 roasts beans, offers rice‑milk drinks
• Bosgaras in District 1 blends third‑wave beans with Vietnamese techniques
• Rish concept store pairs Vietnamese brands with mango matcha specialty

Summary

The video tours Saigon’s booming coffee culture, hosted by Victoria Ly, founder of the LA‑based Vietnamese coffee brand Ly Loy. She travels back to Vietnam to stay connected to her roots and to scout emerging cafés, offering viewers a curated list of the city’s must‑visit spots.

Ly highlights four standout venues. In District 2, Cafe Mjelly roasts its own beans and serves inventive drinks such as rice‑milk topped with “fla” and an orange‑infused coffee. District 1’s Bosgaras caters to third‑wave enthusiasts, marrying high‑quality beans with traditional Vietnamese roasting and brewing methods. She also recommends the classic Cafe Sid for authentic iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk.

A memorable line from the host—“If you’re in Vietnam, you have to try Cafe Sid”—underscores the cultural importance of the drink. She points out Rish, a concept store that showcases Vietnamese brands while offering a mango‑matcha latte that blends local fruit flavors with premium matcha, exemplifying the fusion trend.

For travelers and investors, the tour signals Saigon’s rapid diversification of coffee offerings, from heritage stalls to specialty third‑wave cafés, suggesting growing demand for both authentic and innovative experiences. Brands looking to expand in Southeast Asia can gauge consumer preferences through these highlighted concepts.

Original Description

"I can confidently say that Vietnam has one of the most exciting coffee scenes in the world," says Lonely Planet Correspondent @victorialoi, who runs coffee brand Lôilôi. "Some of the best cafes are tucked down narrow alleyways or hidden inside old apartment buildings, while others reimagine Vietnamese coffee through a modern, third-wave lens. Every time I return, I discover another spot I fall in love with."

Victoria's picks in Ho Chi Minh City (also called Saigon):

Tiem Ca Phe Mat Troi

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters

Rue Miche