Several coffee shops that Anya and I visited in Saigon were on the top level of old buildings that didn’t seem to have many other signs of life. Of course we wouldn’t know when we’d show up to these places what sort of building we were looking for, and in a couple of cases, signage was lacking and locals hanging out on the sidewalks would help us out by pointing into a dark alley or into an abandoned-looking building and say the name of the shop we were searching for. So then we would tentatively wander into the darkness to see what we could find, often climbing multiple flights of stairs lit only by the sunlight coming through the broken (or. nonexistent) windows. There was just enough light so that we could make out the graffiti and make sure not to fall into the old elevator shafts (no idea how long ago these places had working lifts!). These buildings were fascinating and felt very neglected.
Just when we’d think there couldn’t POSSIBLY be a business in this place, we’d find a door on the top floor leading to a completely wonderful cafe, beautifully decorated and very clean. These buildings were so interesting!
Very cool! Fun sharing in your adventures!! Thank you Safe travels
Thanks Tammy!