Introduction:%Arabica’s first store in Vietnam is located on the fourth floor of the renowned Cafe Apartment in Ho Chi Minh City. This historic building, blending old-world charm with artistic flair, has become a popular photo spot since its renovation in 2015. The brand stays true to its founder’s philosophy of “seeing the world through coffee,” with the new store’s design merging minimalist aesthetics with Vietnamese elements. The surrounding area exudes a nostalgic vibe. This article takes you on a deep dive into the history of this old apartment and %Arabica’s latest global expansion moves.
Opening a café in a commercial district is nothing new, but choosing to set up shop in an old apartment in the heart of the city is a unique and rare choice. Recently, the well-known coffee brand %Arabica announced the official launch of its first store in Vietnam, situated on the fourth floor of the iconic Cafe Apartment in Ho Chi Minh City. This mid-20th-century building has undergone multiple transformations over the years, serving as government offices, a U.S. military base, and private residences. After being renovated in 2015, it attracted a variety of specialty cafés, gradually evolving into a cultural hub that has become a must-visit landmark for both locals and tourists.
%Arabica’s choice of location not only continues the brand’s founder, Kenneth Shoji’s, philosophy of “See the World Through Coffee,” but also symbolizes the brand’s further acceleration in global expansion. To date, %Arabica has123 storesworldwide and is actively planning to enter emerging markets such as South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Mexico, Egypt, and Italy.
Opening a café in the core commercial district of a bustling city is not uncommon, but choosing an old apartment in a busy urban area is a route many brands have yet to try. So, what is the charm and uniqueness of the Cafe Apartment located at 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City?
Not long ago, %Arabica officially announced on its social media platforms that its first store in Vietnam will open in this historic building, specifically on the fourth floor, with plans to officially begin operations at 2:00 PM this Sunday. From the promotional images released by the brand, one can get a glimpse of the design details of the new store: the overall style continues %Arabica’s signature minimalist aesthetic, with a white color scheme as the main tone, complemented by wooden doors and windows and decorative elements with Vietnamese local character, skillfully blending modernity with tradition. Standing outside the apartment, the eye-catching “%” logo immediately catches the eye, expected to attract a large number of travelers and photography enthusiasts coming to pay homage.
The history of this old building dates back to the mid-20th century when it initially served as office space for the Vietnamese government and the U.S. military. After 1975, it was briefly converted into private residences for government employees. It wasn’t until 2015 that the space was re-planned and renovated, attracting a variety of cafés with distinct styles, eventually forming what is now known as the “Cafe Apartment.” Although the building as a whole lacks a unified decoration plan and the stairwells still retain the marks of time, each shop has used creative ideas to transform their interiors and balconies, creating unique visual landscapes. When night falls, the warm yellow lighting adds a romantic and artistic touch, transforming this once dilapidated old building into a popular “photo hotspot” for artsy youth and photographers.
As the world’s second-largest coffee producer, Vietnam has a coffee culture deeply rooted in the daily lives of its people. From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, unique cafés can be found on every street, where people are accustomed to leisurely enjoying a cup of coffee with a newspaper or book in hand. %Arabica’s entry into the Vietnamese market not only capitalizes on the country’s huge coffee consumption potential but also aligns with the brand founder Kenneth Shoji’s philosophy—“seeing the world through coffee.” The golden globe installation commonly seen in %Arabica stores is the best embodiment of this brand spirit and will, with the opening of the new store, convey the brand’s core values to more Vietnamese coffee lovers.
Currently, %Arabica has123 storesglobally, and its expansion shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, the brand opened its first stores in Bangkok, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; and Taiwan, China, demonstrating its focus on the Asian market. According to official information, in addition to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a branch in Toronto, Canada, is also under active preparation. In the Chinese mainland market, %Arabica’s expansion is also accelerating, with the latest news indicating that its first store in Lhasa is already in the planning stage. The brand has also revealed plans to enter countries and regions such as South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Mexico, Egypt, and Italy, with the familiar “%” logo expected to appear in more international cities in the future.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
