In early 2025, a Korean blogger named Jina visited Vietnam. He was surprised to see people sitting on small chairs facing the street, chatting together and enjoying coffee.
"In Korea, people often sit inside corners of their private offices. Therefore, coming to Vietnam to see people sitting on the street, I find it quite interesting, not to mention the scenery, there is nothing beautiful to see", Jina shared on his personal page.
Jina said that at first he was not excited about sitting on the dusty sidewalk, but after trying to sit at a coffee shop on the roadside, he liked this activity. Watching the flow of people passing by, the sky, chatting with friends and having a cup of coffee is a great way to rest and relax.
In Vietnam, most coffee shops have large windows or outdoor spaces. Hanguk Ilbo once pointed out the difference between the way of enjoying coffee between the two countries: "It is difficult to see Vietnamese people walking and drinking coffee, no matter how busy they are, they sit still. Some coffee brands were initially just for take-away, but in the end, they had to expand the store space and place more tables and chairs to suit customer needs. Especially in the morning, garden cafes are always crowded with customers, especially families".
Female blogger TangTang was also surprised to see Vietnamese people drinking coffee on the roadside regardless of day or night.
"What impressed me was that no one walked on the street with a cup of coffee in hand like in Korea. When I walk on the street, day or night, I easily see people enjoying coffee at a coffee shop on the roadside.
Coffee culture in Vietnam is interesting. Every time I go to a crowded coffee shop, the atmosphere makes me happier even though I go alone. Thanks to the delicious and cheap coffee, I often try different types," TangTang shared.
