The Workshop Coffee

The Workshop Coffee is a well-known specialty coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Its story is a reflection of the evolving coffee culture in the city, catering to both locals and expats who appreciate quality coffee and a stylish, modern café experience.

The Beginning

The Workshop was founded in 2014 with a mission to introduce and elevate third-wave coffee culture in Vietnam. This movement is centered around viewing coffee as an artisanal product, similar to wine, with an emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and the skills of the baristas. At the time, while Vietnam was known for its robusta coffee and traditional café-style, third-wave coffee was still a new concept. The founders of The Workshop wanted to change that by focusing on high-quality, specialty coffee beans, mostly arabica, sourced both locally from Vietnam and internationally.

The Concept

Located in a loft-style building on Ngo Duc Ke Street in District 1, The Workshop is housed in an open space that gives off an industrial yet cozy vibe, perfect for those seeking a work-friendly environment. The name "The Workshop" reflects the café’s ethos as a place of creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship. The space itself is reminiscent of a creative studio, with high ceilings, wooden tables, and large windows that bring in lots of natural light.

The café is designed in a way where customers can see the coffee-making process up close. There’s an open brewing bar where baristas prepare different kinds of coffee, including pour-over, AeroPress, and siphon brews. The transparency in their process matches their philosophy of offering a more engaging coffee experience.

Coffee Sourcing and Quality

The Workshop takes great pride in the quality of its coffee. They source beans from Vietnamese highland farms, known for their unique microclimates, as well as from other coffee-growing regions around the world. The café is particular about traceability, ensuring that customers know exactly where the beans come from. The in-house roaster allows them to fine-tune the flavors of the coffee, providing a perfect brew each time.

In addition to coffee, The Workshop serves a selection of teas, pastries, and light meals, appealing to a diverse crowd from coffee aficionados to casual drinkers and remote workers.

A Hub for Coffee Lovers

Over the years, The Workshop has become more than just a coffee shop. It’s a hub for coffee enthusiasts in the city. They regularly host coffee workshops, cupping sessions, and brewing classes, helping to educate the community about the intricacies of specialty coffee. Their expert baristas are always willing to share knowledge and help customers discover new flavors.

Impact on Ho Chi Minh’s Coffee Scene

The Workshop helped to pioneer the specialty coffee movement in Ho Chi Minh City. It set the bar for other coffee shops that followed, inspiring a wave of third-wave coffee spots across the city. Its emphasis on quality, transparency, and craftsmanship has had a lasting influence on how coffee is consumed and appreciated in Vietnam.

Today

As of today, The Workshop remains one of the top coffee destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. It attracts a mix of locals, expats, and tourists who are seeking both a great cup of coffee and a space to relax or work. The Workshop’s success lies not only in the quality of its coffee but also in its ability to create an inviting, community-driven atmosphere that encourages creativity and interaction