BACHDANG Half-Day Course in Ho Chi Minh City

The river slows here. Craft coffee, old bookshops, no one rushing you.

Why BACHDANG, why now

Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 was recently redeveloped into a 23,400m2 riverside park with a 1.3km promenade. 2026 coverage describes it as one of Saigon's newest check-in and riverside-cafe hotspots.

1. DELIGHT Craft Coffee Roasters

The course opens with coffee by the canal. DELIGHT keeps the first hour low-pressure: the drinks are strong, the seating is industrial, and the pricing leaves room for the rest of the morning. It's a spot that works for takeaway or a slow sit, which means you set the pace from the start.

Crew's note

The bag sits. The candle burns. Nothing here is rushed.

What visitors say

Just tried this shop for the first time. The vibe is industrial with plenty of seating. Reasonably priced drinks and fresh tasting coffee. T…

this is the first time I go to this coffee shop. I tried Hue salted coffee with coconut ice cream. It's tasty, a combination of salted coffe…

DELIGHT Craft Coffee Roasters counter
The candle's burning, the bag's just sitting there — nothing about this is in a hurry.
DELIGHT Craft Coffee Roasters interior
Street noise drifts right in here, and honestly the coffee smell doesn't mind sharing the space.
DELIGHT Craft Coffee Roasters phin filter
Four minutes on the drip and there's genuinely nothing to do but watch it happen.
DELIGHT Craft Coffee Roasters Tet display
The calendar's about to flip into a new year, but the coffee's staying exactly where it is.

2. Hai An Bookstore

The bookstore closes the walk. Hai An is built for lingering: the scale is big enough to browse without a plan, and the mix of books, stationery, and a small gallery means you can drift between formats. It's the kind of stop that absorbs however much time you give it, so save it for last.

Crew's note

The scooters stop here. So do you.

What visitors say

I honestly feel like this bookstore’s mission is to become “a friend for every family” 😌 This is probably the biggest and most impressive b…

Hai An Bookstore has a warm and cozy atmosphere, making it a great place for a relaxing weekend activity. Whether you're looking to buy book…

Hai An Bookstore entrance
Scooters stop right here, and honestly so should you before going any further.
Hai An Bookstore lobby
Fridge is humming, nobody's asking why you're here — that's kind of the whole point.
Hai An Bookstore dining hall
Shared tables, strangers next to you, nobody performing anything — just eating slow.
Hai An Bookstore back shelves
The toys on the shelf have seen this exact scene a hundred times — you can stay as long as they have.

The walk between

The two stops sit along the stretch where the canal meets the river promenade. You'll pass the new park benches and the occasional cafe cart, but the walk itself is short and flat.

  • Start with DELIGHT, then walk the promenade before the bookstore. The river light is better earlier, and Hai An pulls you in for longer than you think.
  • Pair the craft coffee with the phin brew if you want to compare styles. The bookstore has a cafe inside, so you can loop back to sitting if the gallery catches you.
Course map — stop pins and walking route

FAQ

Is the promenade busy on weekends?
The new riverside park draws local families and couples, especially in the late afternoon. Mornings and early weekday hours are quieter if you want the benches to yourself.
Does Hai An Bookstore stock English titles?
The bookstore carries a mix of Vietnamese and international bestsellers, with some English sections noted by visitors. The stationery and gallery space are language-neutral if books aren't your focus.
Moon, Danang

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Danang

More neighborhood courses

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Tan Dinh keeps the old pace before District 1 wakes up.

MoonTANDINH Night Course