Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Vo Hoang Phuc, 32 along with two friends opened Bike Coffee, geared toward Saigon’s cycling enthusiasts. Phuc said he himself had a passion for cycling, having attended elementary school through to university on a bicycle. A tour guide impacted by the pandemic, Phuc created a space for those who shared his passion.

Opened in July, right during a lull between two Covid-19 outbreaks in Vietnam, the cafe has slowly attracted a loyal following.

As the cafe’s staff consist of mostly college students and tour guides, Phuc said this long-term project has helped him support others through the pandemic times.
Ngoc Thuy, a 22-year-old tour guide with two years of experience, said working here has helped her learn new skills like bartending, bicycle maintainance, and English.

Tour guide Anh Toan, 35 first met owner Phuc in the Mekong Delta. Part of his job was to repair bikes for guests in their cycling journey across Vietnam.
Now, his bicycle repair skills help keep him afloat, having earned the nickname “Toan mechanic” since starting off at the cafe.

The cafe has become the informal headquarters of a growing “cycling community” sharing experiences and expertise on racing and maintainanace.

Besides drinks, the coffee shop also sells cycling accessories. Recently, Phuc formed a cycling group called Saigon Morning Ride that includes both Vietnamese and expat riders, along with hosting several races across the city.

Bike Coffee is located at 816 Hoang Sa street, Ward 14 District 3. Opening time is from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, including weekends.
The price for food and drinks here ranges from VND29000 to 45000 ($1.2-1.9).