When people think of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), they often imagine fast-paced streets, endless motorbikes, and modern high-rise buildings. Yet beneath that vibrant energy lies a deeply local and authentic cultural layer – pavement coffee and “cà phê bệt.”
No fancy interiors, no elaborate furniture. Just a cup of black iced coffee, a few low plastic stools, or simply sitting directly on the pavement – and suddenly, you are experiencing Saigon the way locals do.
For travelers, drinking pavement coffee is not just about caffeine. It is one of the fastest ways to live like a local and feel the city’s rhythm from the ground up.
“Cà phê bệt” literally means sitting on the ground to drink coffee. There are no fixed tables or chairs; people sit on steps, park edges, sidewalks, or public squares. Coffee cups are placed on the pavement, held in hand, or balanced casually nearby.
This style became popular in the early 2000s, especially around Notre Dame Cathedral and 30/4 Park, where students, creatives, and young locals naturally gathered.
Cà phê bệt represents:
You can sit for hours, watching traffic flow by and listening to the city breathe.
If cà phê bệt feels youthful and spontaneous, pavement coffee is the soul of Saigon’s daily life. Small sidewalk stalls with plastic stools, old aluminum coffee filters, and handwritten menus have existed for decades.
Here, coffee is more than a drink:
A glass of iced milk coffee on the pavement may cost very little, but its flavor is bold, intense, and deeply satisfying – just like the city itself.
For international visitors, Saigon’s pavement coffee scene is a rare cultural experience:
This is why many travel bloggers and international magazines list pavement coffee as a “must-try experience” in Vietnam.
When sitting at a pavement coffee spot, try:
Simple, no-frills, but incredibly authentic.
Address: 30/4 Park, Alexandre de Rhodes – Nguyen Du Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Around 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The most iconic cà phê bệt spot in Saigon, located next to Notre Dame Cathedral. People sit on steps, low stools, or directly on the ground, creating a relaxed and open atmosphere. Late afternoons and evenings are the busiest times, filled with locals and travelers alike. It’s the perfect place to feel Saigon slow down amid the city center.
Address: 330 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 1, Phu Nhuan District
Opening hours: Around 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Famous for its traditional cloth-filter (sock) brewing method, this coffee has a distinct flavor compared to modern drip coffee. The space is simple and nostalgic, evoking old Saigon. The coffee is aromatic, smooth, and less bitter. Ideal for early risers looking for a truly local experience.
Address: 193 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 17, Phu Nhuan District
Opening hours: Around 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
One of Saigon’s oldest sock coffee stalls, operating for over 50 years. Small, humble, and without flashy signage, it attracts loyal regulars. The coffee is deep, rich, and nostalgic in flavor. Many international visitors come here to experience how Saigonese enjoyed coffee decades ago.
Address: Area in front of 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment, District 1
Opening hours: Around 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Drinking coffee beneath the iconic Nguyen Hue apartment building is a quintessential Saigon experience. The area is always lively with young locals, office workers, and tourists. Watching pedestrians and street life while sipping coffee offers a dynamic urban snapshot. A perfect blend of modern energy and everyday life.
Address: Intersection of Nguyen Du & Hai Ba Trung Streets, District 1
Opening hours: Around 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
This area is filled with small pavement coffee stalls catering mainly to office workers. Coffee is brewed quickly, strong, and affordable. The atmosphere is simple but unmistakably Saigon. Sitting here reveals the city’s busy morning rhythm.
Address: International Square (Ho Con Rua), District 3
Opening hours: Around 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
A favorite hangout for students and young locals. Evenings are lively, casual, and social. People sit on the ground, chat, snack, and drink coffee together. This spot perfectly captures Saigon’s youthful and open spirit.
Address: Ton That Dam Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: Around 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Located near old markets and office buildings, this area reflects everyday local life. Most customers are long-time Saigon residents. Coffee is bold and strong, ideal for mornings. A great place for travelers seeking an unfiltered local atmosphere.
Address: Le Cong Kieu Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: Around 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Surrounded by antique shops, this pavement coffee area feels calm and nostalgic. Watching antique dealers while sipping coffee is a unique experience for foreign visitors. Quieter than other central spots, it suits those who enjoy slower, reflective moments.
Address: 109 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Ward 2, District 3
Opening hours: Around 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Operating for over 80 years, Cheo Leo is a legendary sock coffee spot. The space is small, rustic, and deeply nostalgic. The coffee is smooth, fragrant, and easy to drink. A must-visit for lovers of traditional Vietnamese coffee culture.
Address: Around Ben Thanh Market, District 1
Opening hours: Around 5:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Enjoying pavement coffee near Ben Thanh Market in the early morning is a wonderful way to watch the city wake up. The energy is vibrant, filled with vendors, locals, and travelers. The iced milk coffee is simple yet perfectly satisfying. A truly local morning experience.
Pavement coffee and cà phê bệt are not just ways of drinking coffee – they are essential parts of Saigon’s identity. In a city that never stops moving, these simple sidewalk moments allow people to slow down, connect, and share everyday life.
If you truly want to understand Saigon, start with a morning on a plastic stool, a glass of iced milk coffee in hand, and let the city tell its story.
