Located on the bustling Hue Street, Chung Workspace has a modest façade, but behind it lies a 300-square-metre haven. Thanks to its central location, the venue has become popular with young locals and foreigners looking for a space to work and unwind.
Visitors enter through a designed door topped with panels made from repurposed corrugated iron sheets, an artistic touch that pays homage to traditional Vietnamese materials. Panels from neighbouring households add a creative and distinctly local charm.
First-time visitors are required to register as members, with a minimum top-up of VND50,000. A wristband is provided to check in and out. Tea and coffee are complimentary, while the space charges an hourly rate of VND20,000.
Le Viet Ha, the space's creative director, explained the concept, "We wanted to create a space inspired by the Vietnamese convenience store, a nostalgic symbol of everyday life. From shopping baskets to display shelves, everything here feels deeply local."
The ground floor features a reception area and a small traditional-style shop.
Moving upstairs, the second floor is divided into two distinct zones. One side functions as a mini art gallery showcasing works by young Vietnamese artists, with a large mural where guests can leave playful and heartfelt messages.
The main working area is also on the second floor, offering a quiet environment with minimal noise. Individual desks are neatly arranged, and the soft lighting creates a calm, focused atmosphere, ideal for deep work.
The third floor, by contrast, offers a more flexible setup. It's designed for collaborative work, casual conversations, and relaxation. In the evenings, visitors are treated to sweeping sunset views through large glass windows, evoking the ambience of a European library. Many come here not just to work but also to snap aesthetic photos for social media.
A standout feature of the third floor is a space filled with dry hay that took a month to source and install. In the evenings, this hay-covered floor transforms into an open-air cinema, where guests can relax and enjoy films in an unconventional setting.
"I feel like I'm camping or visiting a countryside village every time I sit here," said Duong Hong Nhung, a 24-year-old Hanoian.
This area offers soft mattresses and pillows for those needing a quick rest before getting back to work. Unlike the more focused zones, this floor encourages social interaction and networking.
Sébastien Bracq, a 23-year-old French designer, was impressed by the concept. "As a designer, I often need to work outside to get fresh inspiration. The quietness and pay-per-hour model here is perfect. However, I think they should consider the closing time; late-night work might affect people's health," he said.
Despite being relatively new, Chung Workspace's innovative design and creative concept have quickly gained popularity among Hanoi's young professionals.
Vuong Trang, 25, who has been a regular since the early days, noted: "This isn't just a place to work. It's a place to connect, make friends, and sometimes even find collaborators for new projects."
