Khách phải “khom lưng, cúi đầu” để vào quán cà phê trong nhà cổ ở Hà Nội

When riding a motorbike through the heart of a clothing store, Minh Phuong murmured to herself, “I wonder if they will scold me or not?”

She was worried because the store looked very small, and when the motorbike passed through, the shopkeeper and customers inside had to move aside to make way. The sound of the motorbike engine also echoed throughout the house.

Only when she rode into the inner courtyard, Phuong could finally relax, partly because she wasn’t scolded, and partly because the interior of the coffee shop left her breathless.

The ancient coffee shop is located on Hang Gai street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), the busiest street in the capital city. However, without asking for directions, few people passing by could recognize it. The only way to enter the café is through the clothing store. Therefore, many joke that to enter the café, customers must “bend down and bow.”

This house has a lifespan of 105 years, passed down through generations by the homeowner’s ancestors and built in 1918. Currently, this house serves as both a living space and a business place for Mrs. Dao Bich Loan (61 years old) and her husband.

Mrs. Loan, the homeowner and café owner, shared that they opened the café in 1998 based on the suggestion of friends who used to gather in their spacious courtyard. Inspired by the idea, the couple decided to try their luck with the café business.

When opening the café, Mrs. Loan aimed to create an intimate space where friends could gather and relax every weekend. The ancient house’s structure and ancient architecture would be preserved, with tables and chairs added to empty areas.

“Back then, there weren’t many tourists, so I thought simple preservation of the ancient house was enough. Later, as more foreign tourists arrived, I realized that the simplicity, tradition, and sense of family turned this place into a unique destination in Hanoi,” the café owner shared.