Located near Hanoi Cathedral, 99/81 Coffee and Wine Tapas is covered in greenery and looks straight onto the historic church. The venue spans four floors and covers more than 300 sq metres, with the first, second and fourth floors used as cafe space, while the third floor operates as a pub.
The fourth floor balcony, which faces directly onto the cathedral, is the most sought-after area, particularly during peak periods such as Christmas. As evening falls and warm lights come on, young people and tourists gather by the railing to enjoy drinks while photographing the cathedral as it lights up.
Many first-time visitors say the biggest surprise is not the menu but the feeling of stepping into a rare green oasis in the heart of Hanoi.
Phuong Nga, 18, from Hanoi, said she and a friend visited on a weekend afternoon to take photos and “change the atmosphere” in the city centre. She said the appeal lay not only in the cathedral view but also in the sense of separation created by the dense greenery.
“Sitting here and hearing the cathedral bells ring, everything feels slower,” Nga said. “I have been to many beautiful cafes in Hanoi, but not many have this much greenery. After a while, you forget how crowded it is below.”
The owner, Do Manh Cuong, said his love of plants and Hanoi Cathedral shaped the concept. After living and working in Canada for 16 years, he grew used to a lifestyle closely connected to nature, with gardens as part of everyday life.
“When I returned to Hanoi, I wanted to bring that spirit into my cafe,” he said. “If it were not this area near Hanoi Cathedral, I probably would not have opened a cafe at all.”
Cuong said the investment to renovate the building into a cafe ran into tens of billions of VND, equivalent to more than USD 1 million. Monthly plant care alone costs at least VND 10 million, excluding the cost of replacing plants, fertiliser and irrigation systems. He also personally oversees the care of each type of plant.
The balcony with the cathedral view is considered the cafe’s best spot, but only two small tables are placed there to keep the space open and preserve the view. During peak times such as Christmas Eve, seats must be booked in advance.
Cuong said customers taking photos with phones are not charged extra. However, those using professional cameras, changing outfits and shooting for extended periods are charged an hourly fee of a few hundred thousand VND.
