VietNamNet Bridge – Operational for more than one month, Café Saigon 1975 has quickly become an attractive destination, especially for Saigonese, as it reminds them of the wartime as seen through a number of items and pictures.

Two guests pose for photos with wartime items at Café Saigon 1975

The owner of the coffee shop is comedian and director Le Quoc Nam. Speaking of the motivation to open Café Saigon 1975 which is full of memories about the wartime, Nam says: “I joined the battlefields in Cambodia in 1979 and had witnessed the pain and sorrow caused by the war. The American War had left deep sorrow in the hearts of many Vietnamese people. What I present in this coffee shop reminds people that war is senseless.”

The concept of Café Saigon 1975 is all about the American War. On the ground floor, a miniature tank used during the war will catch any guests’ eyes at first glance. On the walls are paintings reflecting HCMC’s memorable landmarks and images such as the Post Office, the Lambretta, a classic motorbike which was one of the most popular vehicles in Saigon, or a boy taking a bath next to a water jar on the outskirts.

The second floor is for cigarette smokers. The atmosphere here drags visitors back to an old Saigon with items used during the wartime such as water canteens and food cans used in the military, iron electric fans and many other daily items used by soldiers in that period.

Images of the soldiers in the American War at Café Saigon 1975

The third floor creates a strong impression with images of fighting trenches and statues of soldiers of both two sides. These statues reflect sad feelings of the soldiers, sending the message about losses and pains that people had to suffer in the war.

From March 22, the coffee shop will start serving lunch and arrange saxophone performances at night. Nam says the stage at the shop welcomes every guest who loves music to participate.

The shop owner says he has registered brand name Café Saigon 1975 and expects to develop the coffee shop into a chain with a number of branches around the city.

Café Saigon 1975 is now located at 12/10 Truong Dinh Street, Ward 6, District 3.

SGT