Experiencing Press Village Coffee – Preserving the Intellectual Heritage of Saigon

Press Village or Lang Bao Chi in Thao Dien – once resonating with the sound of typewriters from generations of writers and journalists – now blends with the distinctive aroma of contemporary coffee, high-rise buildings, and luxurious villas. Discovering the coffee culture of Press Village, Thao Dien, means exploring a vibrant interweaving of old and new Saigon.

History of the Original Press Village

The small streets of today’s Press Village still bear the marks of a special historical period, when this area began to form in 1972-1973 through the initiative of the Vietnamese Journalists Association (during the South Vietnamese era). Initially, the area had about 300 small houses, each with a 110m² plot, mostly roofed with cement fiber or tin sheets and brick walls.

Writer Hoang Hai Thuy, a famous author known for detective fiction adaptations before 1975, proudly wrote: “No other country in the world has a village exclusively for journalists.” Indeed, Press Village was a unique cultural phenomenon, where journalists not only lived alongside each other but created a creative community together.

Many prominent names in Vietnamese arts and literature were once connected to this land. The late poet Du Tu Le in his memoir titled “Nguyen Tat Nhien, the Old Days” mentioned: “…since I moved to Press Village, across the Saigon highway bridge, around 1973.” The small, low houses along five narrow streets, just wide enough for one car, witnessed countless conversations, literary gatherings, and long nights of creative work.

Through many historical ups and downs, around 1980-1990, many houses in Press Village were requisitioned as dormitories for Ho Chi Minh City College of Culture (now Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture). Many students who lived in these dormitories later became famous writers for major newspapers like Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre, Tien Phong, Lao Dong, Nguoi Lao Dong, and Phu Nu Viet Nam. It seemed the flame of literature and journalism never extinguished in this land, merely passing from one generation to the next.

People who lived here in the late 90s still clearly remember the tranquil, quiet scenery of the village. Each house typically had a flower trellis at the gate, with a gentle atmosphere and music echoing from small houses creating a space separate from the noisy streets outside. At night, lying in a hammock under coconut trees, listening to the Saigon River breeze blowing in and the harmonious sounds of frogs, it felt like being in a Mekong Delta countryside in the heart of the city.

Press Village in Thao Dien Today

As time passed, Press Village couldn’t escape the wheel of urban development. When the market experienced real estate booms, property prices here skyrocketed to become among the highest in Ho Chi Minh City. The Thao Dien area, a district over 3.7 km², gradually became known as “Saigon’s New District 1” or “The Heart of the Entire Eastern Zone.”

The transformation became evident over time. Many former residents of Press Village had to leave, giving up prime riverside land to wealthy individuals building homes or renting to foreigners. The strong development of real estate changed the architectural appearance of this area.

From small, low, simple houses, the area now features increasingly luxurious villas, high-end serviced apartments, and modern commercial spaces. Fortunately, the street structure and general planning of Press Village remain intact, creating a special space in the heart of bustling Thao Dien.

The prime location along the Saigon River remains one of the greatest advantages of this area. Combined with the quiet atmosphere, charming small streets, and network of greenery, it has created an ideal environment for the development of a distinctive coffee culture.

Press Village Coffee Culture – The New Soul of Thao Dien

Amid dizzying changes in prices and architecture, a new soul is gradually forming in Press Village – coffee culture. As a natural inheritance from the creative space of journalists and artists of the past, cafés are sprouting up as a way to connect past and present, between cultural memory and modern appreciation.

The coffee spaces in Press Village have characteristics hard to find elsewhere in Saigon. With quiet narrow streets, the lapping waves of the Saigon River, and the shade of green trees, these are ideal conditions to enjoy a cup of coffee in the truest sense – slow, profound, and engaging all senses. Unlike the bustling atmosphere of cafés in the city center, the coffee spaces here bring a familiar feeling like sitting in your own home, while still being surrounded by historical and cultural stories.

A special feature is the coffee trend in Press Village, which has all the conditions and spiritual foundation to develop into multifunctional cultural and artistic spaces. Coffee spaces become meeting places for young people who love culture, creative professionals, or simply those seeking a quiet corner amid the hustle and bustle of life.

The coffee experience in Press Village is a truly multi-sensory experience:

• Visual with unique architectural spaces – a combination of traditional and modern elements
• Olfactory with the distinctive aroma of coffee mingling with the scent of wood and books
• Auditory with the gentle sounds of flowing water, birdsong, or occasionally guitar music from some corner
• Taste with distinctive coffee flavors, often prepared from high-quality coffee beans
• Tactile with the sense of space, materials, and the temperature of the coffee cup in hand – all creating an unforgettable experience

This unique combination of quiet riverside space, the breath of cultural history, and modern coffee trends has transformed Press Village into an attractive destination for Saigon’s youth. And in this context, XLIII Coffee has emerged as a new symbol, bringing specialty coffee experiences in a space deeply infused with traditional Vietnamese architecture.

XLIII Coffee – A Symbol of Specialty Coffee in Press Village

If Press Village is where past and present converge, then XLIII Coffee is the perfect embodiment of that intersection. Set in a house bearing strong traditional Vietnamese architectural features, XLIII Coffee has brought a fresh breeze to Press Village – where the art of specialty coffee appreciation is elevated in a culturally rich space.

The first impression when entering XLIII Coffee is the perfectly preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. From the elegant arched wooden door and pristine white walls to the intricate spiral staircase with white railings and glossy black handrails – everything exudes pure Vietnamese beauty, giving a feeling of returning to an ancient Vietnam in the heart of a modern city. What’s special is that XLIII Coffee doesn’t just preserve the original architecture for aesthetic purposes, but fully utilizes the advantages of traditional architecture to create an ideal environment for coffee appreciation.

The charming inner courtyard with natural light pouring through the eaves, the wall-climbing bougainvillea in white and pale pink, creates an open space welcoming natural breezes – ideal for morning coffee enjoyment. Meanwhile, the second floor has been converted into a quiet workspace, applying the principle of intelligent “sound zoning,” where sound-absorbing materials are subtly integrated into traditional decorative elements, maintaining aesthetics while ensuring sound control functionality.

But what makes XLIII Coffee different isn’t just the space, but also the “Taste the Origin” philosophy that permeates all activities. Each cup of coffee here is a journey to the source, where the distinctive flavors of each growing region are fully honored. From selecting high-quality specialty coffee beans to the refined roasting process and standard brewing methods – XLIII Coffee has brought the purest specialty coffee experience to Thao Dien, where connoisseurs can fully sense all the flavor notes from the coffee beans.

A unique highlight at XLIII Coffee lies in the combination of traditional space and modern technology. The bar with warm yellow tones stands out amid the predominantly white-gray space, housing the Strada MP machine – one of the most modern espresso machines available today. The contrast between advanced technology and traditional architecture doesn’t create conflict but generates interesting dialogue. As if the coffee machine is telling stories about the present, while the ancient walls whisper about the past, and in that conversation, time is no longer a boundary but becomes a bridge.

XLIII Coffee Thao Dien is also a pet-friendly space – a feature that makes the café more approachable to many customers. With its spacious, airy courtyard, this is an ideal place to enjoy coffee with four-legged friends. This creates a family-friendly atmosphere while reflecting modern living philosophy where pets are considered important members of daily life.

Why has XLIII Coffee quickly become a favorite destination for many young people in Saigon? Because of all these things.

When visiting Press Village, remember to drink a cup of coffee

Saigon has never ceased to be bustling, but it has also never stopped creating places to pause like Press Village and XLIII Coffee. Places to find peace, to connect with culture, and to better understand a multifaceted Saigon – where tradition and modernity don’t exclude each other but together create a unique identity.

Give yourself a weekend morning to visit XLIII Coffee in Press Village Thao Dien, at 19 Street No. 2, Press Village. Sitting with a specialty coffee in a traditional architectural space, listening to the Saigon River breeze and letting your soul slow down – perhaps that’s the best way to fully experience the new cultural pulse of a Saigon that’s constantly transforming while always honoring its roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get to Press Village and XLIII Coffee by public transport?

From the city center, you can take bus number 44 to Thao Dien station, then walk about 10 minutes or take a ride-hailing motorbike. If using the Metro, you can get off at Thao Dien Station (Metro Line 1) when this line is operational, then walk about 15 minutes or take a ride-hailing motorbike to Press Village.

2. When is the ideal time to enjoy coffee in Press Village?

Early morning (7:00-9:00 AM) is a wonderful time to enjoy the fresh air and soft sunlight through the courtyard. If you prefer a more romantic atmosphere, visit in the evening (5:00-7:00 PM) to watch the sunset reflecting on the Saigon River from the Press Village area.

3. Is XLIII Coffee suitable for writing?

Absolutely! The second floor of XLIII Coffee is specially designed as a quiet workspace with controlled sound systems, strong WiFi, plenty of power outlets, and abundant natural light. It’s an ideal choice for freelancers, remote workers, or small meeting groups. Not to mention, with its nostalgic architecture, XLIII Coffee in Press Village serves as an excellent emotional trigger for those wanting to write.

4. Besides coffee, are there other destinations worth visiting in Press Village?

Press Village has an embankment along the Saigon River perfect for walking, sightseeing, or exercising. You can also explore the unique architecture of the area with peaceful small streets and the combination of old houses and modern villas. On weekends, small cultural and artistic activities sometimes take place in the area.