Hello, I’m Alesa, a travel writer! Continuing from my previous post, this time I visited “Dalaland Coffee,” a trending photo-worthy spot in the Thao Dien district of Ho Chi Minh City. This café is gaining popularity for its unique Instagram-worthy design and delicious coffee. The most notable feature is the koi pond above your head. Today I’ll share all about its charm and my experience there.
Dalaland Coffee is a stylish café located in Thao Dien district (District 2), an emerging trendy area in Ho Chi Minh City. It features an urban design with white and earth-tone colors, and uniquely, it has ponds installed throughout where koi fish swim. The entire café has a refined atmosphere with stylish interiors everywhere you look. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel special just by visiting.
Koi Pond Above Your Head as You Go Further Inside
At first glance it looks like an ordinary coffee shop
As you continue moving through the café
A space unfolds where koi fish swim above your head!
When you first enter the café, it looks like a typical coffee shop. However, as you pass through the entrance and proceed to the back area, you’re greeted by an air-conditioned comfortable space with a large glass ceiling, and the strange sight of koi fish swimming above it. When I actually visited, I was surprised and moved by this sight I’d never seen before. Just watching the koi fish swimming leisurely makes you feel cooler.
Koi everywhere, above and below. It becomes more interesting than stylish.
Ground Floor Experience
We first sat on the ground floor, enjoying coffee while looking up at the koi fish swimming overhead. The unique experience of watching swimming koi is something only this café offers. However, on this day, perhaps it was far from the cleaning schedule, but the glass was a bit cloudy and dirty, so we couldn’t clearly see the koi fish in some areas. At first, I was fascinated by the novelty, but gradually I wanted to enjoy the view more clearly, so we decided to move to the terrace seats on the second floor.
Whether it was just that day or not, the water was murky and greenish. Getting bored, we moved upstairs.
Instagram-Worthy 2nd Floor Terrace Seats
Stylish terrace seating spreads across the second floor
The second-floor terrace seats are very popular among local Vietnamese looking for Instagram-worthy spots. From the terrace, you can not only see the entire interior of the store but also enjoy a beautiful view of Ho Chi Minh City’s Thao Dien district. The café’s design and interiors, decorated in earth colors resembling mud walls, are stylish from every angle, guaranteeing photogenic shots no matter where you point your camera. Meanwhile, the strange sight of many koi fish swimming energetically right in front of you can be quite overwhelming with its visual complexity.
The lychee is fresh and juicy!
After moving to the terrace seats, we enjoyed delicious coffee and lychee tea in the bright sunlight. Taking many photos with friends, we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. The second-floor terrace seats are particularly bright and open, allowing for a relaxing time. However, be cautious on days with strong sunlight or high temperatures!
The second floor also has plenty of koi. The information overload almost makes your head explode.
Café Clientele
Dalaland Cafe is popular with various types of customers due to its unique design and atmosphere. While young couples, friends, and families visit, it seems that stylish professionals also use it as a place for work or meetings with their laptops open. When I visited, there were many young people taking photos with their smartphones. The café was very lively, filled with smiling faces.
Menu Highlights
Dalaland Cafe’s menu ranges from traditional Vietnamese coffee to international drinks. We ordered Vietnamese-style coffee and lychee tea, one of the café’s recommended items. The rich, full-bodied coffee was delicious with sweet condensed milk, creating an exquisite balance.
The dessert menu is also extensive, and I heard that the popular mango cheesecake is exceptional. I’d like to try it on my next visit. The drink menu also includes fresh juices and special cocktails, all of which were delicious and highly satisfying.
Café Atmosphere and Service
A very attractive space even excluding the koi
Dalaland Cafe’s atmosphere is urban and refined, never boring even during a long stay. The staff are friendly and helpful, readily accommodating us when we wanted to change seats. The entire store is bright with tasteful interiors, creating a comfortable space. The air-conditioned environment is particularly ideal for escaping Ho Chi Minh City’s heat.
What Did You Think?
“Dalaland Coffee” was a photo-worthy café in Ho Chi Minh City that you should visit at least once. From the koi pond above your head to the stylish interiors and delicious coffee, there were many satisfying aspects. The second-floor terrace seats are particularly must-see spots if you’re aiming for Instagram-worthy photos.
It was disappointing that the café’s glass was a bit dirty on the day of my visit, but I was still able to enjoy the overall experience. When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, do make your way to “Dalaland Coffee.” You’re guaranteed to have a special time.
That’s all about the charm of “Dalaland Coffee.” Stay tuned for the next post!
