A healing café oasis in the heart of Saigon

In the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), there exists a sanctuary where one can nurture the soul, release tension, and rediscover balance in life. A café where you can sit alone with your favorite book, engage in meaningful conversations, or simply slow down, breathe deeply, and fully experience the present moment. Where might one find such a place in the vast urban landscape of Saigon?

What defines a healing café?

A healing café – though a relatively new term – carries a profound philosophy about the art of slow living and spiritual nourishment. Going beyond the conventional definition of a café, healing spaces are designed to create multi-sensory experiences where each element – from lighting and sound to aroma, taste, and touch – is meticulously crafted to evoke feelings of relaxation, peace, and connection.

The origins of the healing café trend can be traced to the “slow living” and “mindfulness” movements that gained momentum in Western countries since the 2000s. In Japan, the concept of “tsutsumaretai” – being enveloped in tranquility – has also influenced the design of healing café spaces. As these philosophies entered Vietnam, they blended with the distinctive Vietnamese coffee culture to create a unique experience.

In Vietnam, coffee has long been intertwined with social culture and relaxation. From simple sidewalk coffee stands to luxurious spaces in shopping centers, coffee shops have always been places where Vietnamese people pause, converse, and reflect. The healing café trend has elevated this experience to a new level – not just a meeting place for friends or work, but a space for consciously nurturing mental health.

The clear distinction between healing cafés and conventional coffee spaces lies in their holistic approach to customer experience. While regular cafés focus on beverage quality, service, and perhaps speed, healing spaces emphasize creating an environment where time seems to slow down, senses are nourished, and the spirit is soothed.

In Saigon, particularly in the Thao Dien area, the healing café trend is experiencing significant growth. The reason for this development can be found in the city’s hectic pace of life. With high work pressure, cramped urban living spaces, and increasing noise pollution, the need to find quiet spaces, close to nature and separated from the hustle and bustle, is becoming more urgent than ever.

Thao Dien, characterized by more green spaces, lower population density than the city center, and a large expatriate community, is fertile ground for healing café culture to flourish. Those who live and work here – from foreign professionals and creative workers to young people pursuing mindful lifestyles – are all seeking spaces to balance between stressful work and the need for relaxation and energy renewal.

Distinctive elements of healing café spaces

A true healing café space doesn’t emerge by chance but results from intentional design, where each element is carefully considered to create a comprehensive experience. From architecture and lighting to sound, aroma, and taste – all contribute to creating an environment where each sense is awakened and subtly nurtured.

Architecture and spatial design

This is the first and most important element in creating a healing café space. Unlike conventional cafés that might focus on maximizing seating, healing spaces prioritize openness, privacy, and connection with nature. Natural light is a top priority, with large windows, glass roofs, or open spaces allowing sunlight to flood in without creating glare or discomfort.

Greenery

Plants are not merely decorative elements; they play an essential role in creating fresh air and a sense of closeness to nature. Many studies have shown that even looking at plants for a few minutes can significantly reduce stress levels and improve mood. Therefore, healing café spaces often feature many types of plants from tall trees and shrubs to vines, creating a vibrant and refreshing environment.

Color palette

Colors are also chosen deliberately. Earth tones, soft pastels, or nature-inspired palettes like greens, blues, and beiges are often preferred for their relaxing qualities. White walls combined with natural wood elements are also popular choices, creating a sense of spaciousness and airiness while maintaining warmth.

Soundscape

Sound is an equally important element in creating a healing space. Unlike regular cafés that might prioritize upbeat or trendy music, healing spaces often choose gentle sounds that soothe the mind. These might include soft instrumental music, natural sounds like rainfall or flowing streams, or sometimes just precious silence – increasingly rare in noisy urban life.

Many healing café spaces also focus on acoustic design, using sound-absorbing materials to minimize echo noise and create a quiet atmosphere that isn’t eerily silent to the point of creating pressure. The sound of water from small fountains, leaves rustling in the wind, or even coffee dripping from traditional filters – all create a gentle harmony, contributing to the multi-sensory experience.

Fragrance

Aroma is often overlooked but has a powerful impact on experience and emotions. In healing café spaces, scents are emphasized and designed with subtlety. The distinctive aroma of freshly roasted coffee, the smell of baked goods, fresh flowers, or natural plants – all are harmoniously combined to create a fragrant space that isn’t overwhelmingly strong.

“Scents have the ability to trigger memories and emotions more powerfully than any other sense,” explains psychology expert Hoang Minh Chau. “When you enter a space with pleasant aromas, the brain releases endorphins – happiness hormones – helping reduce stress and creating a sense of relaxation. That’s why many healing spaces focus on creating their own unique ‘scent map.'”

Taste experience

The beverage menu focuses not only on delicious flavors but also on the effects of ingredients. Organic coffee, herbal teas with calming properties, nutrient-rich smoothies, or drinks made from natural ingredients not only bring delicious flavors but also contribute to creating a sense of health and balance from within.

The human element

Both staff and the customer community play an important role in creating the atmosphere of a healing space. Staff are trained to serve with a gentle attitude, respecting customers’ personal space while remaining friendly and attentive. The space is designed to both facilitate social interaction – with common areas – and ensure privacy – with quiet corners for those who wish to be alone.

XLIII Coffee – An ideal healing café destination in Thao Dien

Among the numerous cafés embracing the healing concept flourishing in Thao Dien, XLIII Coffee stands out like a precious gem with its unique approach: combining traditional Vietnamese architecture, green spaces, and specialty coffee to create an authentic healing experience.

The first and most impressive distinction of XLIII Coffee is its preserved and delicately enhanced traditional Vietnamese architecture. Set in a house bearing strong impressions of ancient Vietnamese architecture, XLIII Coffee brings a feeling of familiarity yet novelty – like a journey back to cultural memory amidst modern life.

When first entering XLIII Coffee, removing your shoes to wear house slippers, you’ll feel like returning to your grandparents’ home from the past. Everything will feel familiar, very Vietnamese, creating a space where you feel embraced and healed. It’s not luxurious furniture or modern architecture but the simplicity and purity in each architectural line that creates a special sense of peace.

The courtyard of XLIII Coffee perfectly exemplifies this. Sitting by a cup of coffee in this space, customers can observe the sunlight moving with time, listen to the leaves rustling in the wind, and feel the fresh air – all contributing to a natural meditative experience, helping the mind temporarily leave behind worries and return to the present moment.

Bougainvillea climbing the walls with clusters of white and light pink flowers is not just an aesthetic element but creates a connection with nature right within the urban space. The gentle colors of the flowers, combined with white walls and natural wood details, create a harmonious color palette evoking peace and tranquility. Many studies have shown that viewing flowers and greenery can significantly reduce cortisol – the stress hormone in the body, while enhancing feelings of happiness and alertness.

The multi-sensory experience at XLIII Coffee extends beyond visual aspects to all other senses. For hearing, the space is designed to create a perfect balance between sound and silence. All you hear are the natural sounds of wind and birdsong from the small garden. The space with high ceilings and strategically placed sound-absorbing materials helps minimize echo noise, creating a calm atmosphere without feeling stifling.

For smell, XLIII Coffee offers a unique aromatic experience with a combination of the distinctive scent of freshly roasted specialty coffee, the natural wood smell from furniture, and gentle flower fragrances from the garden. These scents not only create pleasant feelings but also trigger memories and emotions – bringing the mind back to positive past experiences, creating a sense of safety and familiarity.

At XLIII Coffee, enjoying coffee can also be seen as a healing ritual. The café’s “Taste the Origin” philosophy speaks not only about respecting the origin of coffee beans but also serves as a reminder about the importance of connecting with roots, with nature, and with oneself – core elements of the spiritual healing process.

XLIII Coffee also stands out with beautiful photo spots where customers can preserve memorable moments and share personal experiences. The spiral staircase with white railings and glossy black handrails, the courtyard filled with natural light and vibrant bougainvillea, or quiet sitting corners by windows – all are ideal photography spots, where beauty meets tranquility to create memorable moments.

Interestingly, these photo spots aren’t designed solely to create beautiful pictures but also to encourage customers to pause, contemplate, and appreciate the beauty of the present moment – an important part of the healing experience. Photography, in this case, becomes a form of recording and being grateful for peaceful moments – increasingly rare in modern life.

XLIII Coffee’s clientele is incredibly diverse, from creative workers seeking inspiration, writers needing quiet space to write, people with stressful jobs needing a place to relax, to young people looking for beautiful spaces to meet friends. There are even those who bring their pets to enjoy serene moments with their four-legged friends. What they have in common is the need for a space that is both aesthetic and capable of healing the spirit – and XLIII Coffee has excellently met this need.

When looking for a healing place, don’t forget to save this coffee corner in Journalists’ Village, Thao Dien, named XLIII Coffee!

Healing café spaces like XLIII Coffee at 19 Street 2, Journalists’ Village, Thao Dien are helping redefine the concept of success and happiness in urban life. Instead of only emphasizing speed, efficiency, and busyness, this trend emphasizes the importance of slowing down, quiet moments, and deep connection – with oneself, with others, and with nature.

Give yourself the opportunity to slow down, to be fully present in this moment, and let the subtle healing space here nurture your soul amidst Saigon’s hectic rhythm.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the ideal time to experience the healing space at XLIII Coffee?

Each time of day brings a different healing experience at XLIII Coffee. Early morning (7-9 AM) is when the space is quietest, with gentle sunlight filtering through the courtyard creating a peaceful scene. Late afternoon (3-5 PM) is when the light changes to a warm yellow, perfect for check-in photos and a relaxed feeling. Weekends are usually busier, so if you prefer quiet spaces, visit on weekdays.

2. Is it necessary to book in advance to get the best spots for check-ins at XLIII Coffee?

On weekends or during peak hours, booking in advance is recommended to ensure you get your preferred spot, especially in the courtyard area or near the spiral staircase – the most popular check-in corners. XLIII Coffee accepts reservations by phone or through the café’s official social media platforms.

3. How can one make the most of the healing experience at the café?

To maximize the healing experience, try putting your phone aside, limiting checking emails or social media. Instead, focus on the present moment – feel the coffee flavor, listen to surrounding sounds, observe architectural details and plants. You can also bring your favorite book, journal, or simply sit still and practice deep breathing. These simple activities will help relax your mind and maximize the benefits of the healing space.

4. What are the most popular photo spots that customers love at XLIII Coffee?

The most popular check-in spots at XLIII Coffee include: the spiral staircase with white railings and glossy black handrails; the courtyard with natural light and wall-climbing bougainvillea; the wooden seat area by large windows; and the bar with a retro-style Strada MP coffee machine. The best natural light for photography is usually early morning or late afternoon when the gentle sunlight creates beautiful light-shadow blocks in the space.