Our last night in Ho Chi Min City we finished a candlelight dinner downtown and grabbed an Uber for a cafe I did not want to miss.
As the Uber pulled over at the address I had, we looked around at this dark, industrial part of town. Other than a few people walking the street, it seemed like an abandoned neighborhood. We reluctantly got out and a local was nice enough to point us in the right direction toward an alleyway up ahead.
At the end of the alley, I could see the very large wooden doors. Beautiful red lanterns lit the entire alley which lead to another large door. As we got closer to the second set of doors ahead, I could hear the sound of water which was interesting.
As I pushed open the doors, I remember having to take a few moments to orient the space and was all at once, completely mesmerized.
I could see the only way forward was by using a path of stepping stones that spanned a huge Koi pond. In fact, the entire floor was water.
Looking up, I could see that the cafe was constructed between two industrial buildings and open to the night sky above. There were also a network of wooden walkways and platforms above, mostly obscured by the heavy trees and foliage. With the misty night air, the sound of trickling water, the lighted paths above; I was just trying to take it all in.
As we made out way across the stepping stones to the other side, we ascended up a small, spiral staircase and the space opened up to a beautiful cafe in the trees. String lights galore and open to the night air, locals all around were enjoying the beautiful evening.
I was so happy to have experienced this cafe. For months after the trip I kept thinking about it.
The works below are memories and reminders of Ho Chi Min City:
Meet Me for Coffee in the Trees (I).
14" x 12" acrylic, art remnants, and found materials on recycled paper.
Meet Me for Coffee in the Trees (II)
60" x 48" Mixed media on canvas (2022)
LUCAS (Sacred Grove)
14" x 11" acrylic, art remnants, and found materials on paper (2021)
Memories of Ho Chi Min
7' x 5" acrylic, art remnants and found materials on cardboard (2020).
Untitled
7" x 5" acrylic, enamel, art remnants, and found materials on recycled paper .
