Every time I see the rooftop of 22 Ly Tu trong I can’t help but think about that famous photograph by Hubert van Es that came to symbolize the U.S. Evacuation of Saigon. Even if you don’t know the name you would know the photo, as it’s one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.
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This building was the Pittman apartments on what was then 22 Gia Long Street, and the building had offices for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the CIA. The photo was taken on 29 April 1975, the day before the Fall of Saigon.
On one of my daily wanders around the city, I noticed there is now a rooftop cà phê on this previously forbidden roof.
The building is now an office tower that’s not xuất hiện to the public. Some of my hardcore history friends have managed to pay a visit lớn the roof (literally pay), but I’ve never needed lớn need khổng lồ visit it that much. Now that there is a cafe on the rooftop I was able to lớn legitimately visit.
The entrance of the cafe is via the lobby of the office building on 22 Ly Tu Trong. Just say “cafe” to lớn the security & go to lớn the lift, & it’s on the 9th floor.
The lift opens onto the roof, and there is the Sky 22 Cafe.
I arrived around noon, and lunch was also being served (a typical economic rice meal – com binh danh). I got a ca phe sua domain authority (Vietnamese iced coffee) & enjoyed the view. The building is near the Notre Dame Cathedral và old Saigon Post Office.
I wasn’t even thinking of going khổng lồ the đứng đầu section, but I was invited khổng lồ have a look via a ladder that is set up there. It felt strange going up here knowing the history of the place. All cities are filled with ghosts, but some are more ghostly than others. Or at least I think about the past of some cities more than others. Berlin is one such city. I don’t know if I could ever live there and not think about its past. London is another one as well, though that has so many layers going back millenia, that a curious mind is always going khổng lồ wonder about its past. And so it is with Saigon, where I’m reminded of its history through iconic wartime photos.
When you are on the đứng đầu section you can see the side that the photo was taken from, which you can’t usually see unless you are in an office at the Vincom Center on the other side of the road.
Next to lớn 22 Ly Tu trong is 26 Ly Tu vào (the Catinat Building), which is one of my favourite old buildings in Saigon. It has been threatened with demolition over the years, but it is still hanging in there. It was great khổng lồ see what it looks like from behind.
History aside, this is a great location for a cafe, và the prices are reasonable as well (30,000 VND / $1.30 USD for a ca phe sua da). Some places charge $10 a drink for the privilege of being on the roof. The rooftop cafe scene isn’t as developed as, say Bangkok, but it’s getting there. This is a great addition to lớn the city, & no doubt it will become a popular stop for tour guides doing history walks around the city.
You won’t find any memorabilia about the history of the roof, and even if they wanted lớn they wouldn’t be allowed. If it gets too popular I suspect they will have to remove the ladder, before an Instagrammer has an accident.
If you are interested khổng lồ see a war memorabilia cafe in Ho đưa ra Minh City, visit coffe Saigon 1975.
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Trigger
Just a year after making national headlines for successfully attracting US$5.5 million in foreign investment, Hanoi-based fusion food chain The KAfe has ended its operations in both the capital and Saigon.
Over the last few months, many baf.edu.vns have noticed the gradual closure of several of the franchise"s stores at prime locations around the city such as Le Loi, Huynh Thuc Khang and Ly Tu vào Streets. In Hanoi, two of the chain’s original, and biggest, stores on Dien Bien Phu & Ha Hoi Streets have also been shuttered.
At the moment there is much speculation about why the famous startup tanked, but the prevailing opinion is that The KAfe expanded too quickly. The sudden resignation of original founder Dao bỏ ra Anh didn’t help maintain its brand image either.
Cafe
F reasoned that Anh’s departure was because she couldn’t satisfy Hong Kong stakeholders’ expansion goals. At times, in order lớn obtain investment, entrepreneurs tend to lớn agree to business development promises that exceed their ability. Moreover, if foreign investors hold the majority of the business’ shares, founders risk being ousted should things go sour.
Ex-CEO Anh shared in a previous interview with the news source that she regretted making rash decisions in the early days of running the chain.
“If I could turn back time, I would be more assertive during the negotiation process with investors & more strong-willed in deciding whether or not to accept the requirements they suggested,” she told the online news outlet.
Some have also attributed the brand’s downfall khổng lồ Dao đưa ra Anh herself. Throughout its one year in business, her success story became so intertwined with The KAfe that once she was out of the picture, the franchise couldn’t stand on its own.
Last but not least, the final nail in the coffin for the food chain was the lack of a promotional campaign after Anh’s departure khổng lồ keep customers interested. The radio silence quickly made the chain forgettable in two already cutthroat markets – Saigon and Hanoi – when it comes to lớn food và beverage services.
