Local Interest
Coffee San Vuon Family,
35 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vung Tau
If you’ re after a nice quiet place to think about life, chill out or read a book, this is the place for you. I’ m sure you have walked or driven past this coffee shop more than once. A 15 metre walk down the side of the main house then opens out to an area approximately 60 metres square with lavish tropical gardens, mature mango trees, tamarind, coconuts, sake( bread fruit), mulberry, banana and star fruit trees to name a few
growing and bearing fruit. We opted to sit outside underneath the canopy of trees with a cool breeze and watch the squirrels running between the trees, should the weather be not so kind, there is an undercover section in the house. I ordered a cà phê sữa da( iced sweet milk coffee) and my friend had a nước ép quả mơ( apricot juice) with the total bill coming to 38,000vnd. We talked to the owner for some length, making a friend for life, she opened the coffee shop some 10 years ago. I will be visiting again as the owner is has insisted that she will teach me how to cook a traditional Vietnamese dish for us to share and learn more about Vietnamese culture. The trade off was, my friend Thuy teach her English. Don’ t expect an upmarket coffee shop or you will be disappointed, this is a true Vietnamese coffee shop where you just go with the flow. Well worth a visit and an oasis in the middle of the city, set back from the road so you don’ t have to listen to the traffic noise.
Text and images by Colleen Winterburn
“ Bia Tuoi” Fresh Draft Beer
Bia Tuoi is a draft beer venue popular in Vietnam amongst the locals and ex-pats alike, and a great place to experience the local beer.
Located at 4 Le Loi Street, Vung Tau, opposite front beach. Its is a family ran business that opened their doors to the public 16 years ago. A handle of draft beer will cost you 5,000vnd( 25 cents). They also have on offer, snacks, seafood, lunch and dinner. You can order some cha gaô heo( pork spring rolls) for 60,000vnd($ 3) comprising of a plate of approx. 10 spring rolls with all the condiments. The menu is written in Vietnamese, English and Russian so you will not have a problem ordering food. Squid, prawn, fish, cockle, eel, frog, ostrich, goat, chicken, beef and pork are all on the menu, the great choice of dishes worries some people as it is quite extensive however, fear not as their turnover is very high everything is fresh. They even have CCTV in the kitchen for public viewing, so you can view your food being prepared and cooked. The Bia Tuoi is open from 10am to 11pm. Drop in and mingle with the locals. Sit back with the locals and enjoy the atmosphere.
4 Le Loi Street, Vung Tau. Phone: 064.3510236
14 The MAG Vung Tau