For years, old apartments, balconies and upper floors of residential buildings in Hanoi have been transformed into cafes with distinctive character. Their nostalgic interiors, aging architecture and elevated city views have attracted customers, particularly young people.

Some operators have also turned rooftops and penthouse spaces into cafes, investing in distinctive designs that offer visitors a place to enjoy drinks, take photographs and admire panoramic views of the city.

However, Vietnamese regulations require residential apartments to be used for their designated purposes. Businesses operating in units intended for residential use may face penalties if they violate these rules, creating legal challenges for cafes inside apartment buildings.

Thi Nhan Cac, a cafe on the 41st floor of Hanoi's HH Linh Dam apartment complex, officially ceased operations on October 1.

According to the cafe's announcement, the closure was intended to comply with regulations issued by the Hanoi People's Committee governing commercial activities in apartment buildings.

Before shutting down, Thi Nhan Cac offered customers a place to enjoy coffee, read books, socialize and take photographs.

The cafe plans to reopen at another location with a fresh concept, although no specific date or address has been announced.

The management board of the HH Linh Dam complex has also issued a notice calling for a review of commercial activities conducted in residential apartments.

Another popular cafe, Cu Xa, announced its closure effective August 31, 2026, ending a decade of operations.

Opened in 2016, Cu Xa initially occupied a roughly 60-square-meter apartment on the second floor of the A11 Ton That Tung residential complex. Its space was later expanded to approximately 160 square meters.

The cafe became known for recreating the atmosphere of Hanoi in the early 1990s, with everyday household objects, decorations and childhood snacks evoking memories of an earlier era.

Visitors could also enjoy traditional activities such as playing chess and folk games, making banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cakes), crafting star-shaped lanterns and painting.

Initially appealing to people who had grown up in Hanoi's old collective housing blocks, the cafe gradually became popular among younger customers as well.

A representative said closing Cu Xa had not been an easy decision, as the venue had become closely associated with its founders, staff and loyal customers over the past decade.

Running cafes in aging apartment buildings poses challenges

Hoang Giang, who previously operated a cafe in an old residential complex in Hanoi's Giang Vo area, said such locations had clear advantages thanks to their nostalgic atmosphere and ability to attract customers.

However, running a business in an aging building also brought considerable difficulties.

Deteriorating structures, limited surrounding infrastructure and a shortage of parking spaces made it increasingly difficult to accommodate visitors.

When the cafe became crowded, noise sometimes disturbed nearby residents. The business also could not remain open late into the night.

After operating for some time, Giang decided to close the cafe and look for a more suitable location.

Tran Khanh Minh Son, a food and beverage industry expert, said old collective housing blocks and apartment buildings often appeal to cafe operators because of their high population density, convenient locations and distinctive atmosphere.

However, apartments designated for residential use must serve their approved purpose.

Turning them into commercial establishments can create legal complications while disrupting residents' daily lives through noise, increased visitor traffic and demand for parking.

Son noted that a cafe might attract large numbers of customers because of its location or interior design.

Yet even a popular business can face legal risks if the premises are not approved for commercial use.

As authorities strengthen oversight of how residential apartments are used, cafe operators need to establish whether their chosen premises can legally accommodate business activities.

This directly affects their ability to maintain operations and recover their initial investment.

Without proper consideration of legal requirements, the immediate commercial advantages of an attractive location can eventually become costly liabilities if a business is forced to close or relocate.

Duy Anh