Huynh Minh Hiep introduce an antique at his coffee shop.
Hiep, 53, is a well-known collector in HCM City and the cafe's owner. He describes the establishment as his labour of love, showcasing antiques he has accumulated over more than 30 years.
With an unwavering desire to preserve the beauty of time, Hiep does not distinguish between high- or low-value items. Over more than three decades of collecting, he has amassed an uncountable number of artefacts.
Previously, most of Hiep's collection was stored in his private home. However, since 2018, these artefacts have been displayed at Lua Cafe.
"My close friend, artist Kim Tuyen, was the one who encouraged me to open this café to exhibit my collection. She insisted that I showcase them so others could appreciate these relics of the past and relive old memories. That's how Lua Cafe was born in 2018," Hiep recalls.
Hiep poses for a photo with his friend Kim Tuyen outside his cafe.
Nearly 10,000 artefacts are displayed at the cafe, creating a nostalgic yet intimate atmosphere. The humble collector shares that some pieces were acquired through persistent searching and persuasion, while others were gifted by those who trusted him to preserve them.
"My cafe houses coins from the Le Dynasty, more than 500 years old; fossilised coins from Emperor Minh Mang's reign (1820); a newspaper vendor's bicycle from pre-1975; a box of Co Ba soap—a brand that was widely popular in Saigon from 1920; and Mac-phsu balm, a medicinal oil widely used in Saigon during the 1960s," says Hiep.
Old coins
Hiep's café also boasts a collection of 500 newspapers from various historical periods, including 100 daily newspapers from old Saigon and several with significant historical value, such as Gia Dinh Bao, edited by Truong Vinh Ky—the first Vietnamese newspaper written in the national script.
Hiep enthusiastically shares its story whenever a customer expresses curiosity about a particular item. He has memorised the origins, history, and unique details despite owning thousands of artefacts.
A challenging journey of collecting
Hiep shared that he has travelled across provinces, from bustling cities to remote villages, searching for these treasured pieces.
"For example, I spent over 10 years searching for Gia Dinh Bao. A few years ago, I finally obtained a copy from an elderly collector in Hanoi who wished to pass it on to me for safekeeping," Hiep recounts.
Another prized possession is a 1938 Motobecane AB1, a 125cc three-speed motorbike from Emperor Bao Dai's era. Hiep had to make multiple attempts to persuade a collector in Vinh Long to buy it before finally acquiring it.
After seven years in operation, Hiep's cafe was recognised by the Vietnam Record Organisation as the largest exhibition of artefacts recreating Saigon's pre-1975 history.
Thanks to its nostalgia, Lua Coffee Shop has also become a venue for renowned artists such as Nhu Quynh and Dam Vinh Hung to host music nights. It even served as a filming location for the hit movie Nha Ba Nu, directed by Tran Thanh.
Singer Nhu Quynh gives him some discs.
Additionally, Lua Coffee displays nearly 2,000 artefacts from a collection recognised by the Vietnam Record Organisation—the largest compilation of market ration tickets and documents related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.
"Covid-19 was an unforgettable period. I joined the frontline efforts at the time, driving around to assist people. That experience allowed me to collect various documents, including market entry tickets, medical supply vouchers, and test certificates. Holding these small, simple pieces of paper now evokes deep emotions as they reflect a challenging yet resilient chapter in our nation's history," he says.
Hiep takes great care in preserving his antiques and has never sold a single piece. However, he has donated artefacts to museums, believing that the value of antiques lies in their ability to be appreciated by many.
Philippe Chaplain, President of France's National Heritage Organisation, once visited Lua Cafe and, as a token of appreciation, gifts Hiep a poster of the film Saigon.
Occasionally, Hiep collaborates with exhibition organisers and local authorities to transport his collection to museums, allowing the public to experience and appreciate Vietnam's rich cultural heritage.
Within his family, Hiep is the sole devotee of antique collecting. While younger generations have chosen different paths, he hopes that, beyond Lua Coffee, he will one day establish a museum to safeguard these artefacts for future generations.
