Flipping through an in-flight magazine recently, I saw an article on unusual coffee shops in Vietnam, including one in Da Nang called Traffic Sign Cafe. It’s a bit tricky to find, and I should have known as much since the address, Lo 21 Tran Nhan Tong, shows the lot number rather than the actual house number. So here’s a hint: if you’re on Tran Nhan Tong heading towards Son Tra, it’s on the right just past Chu Huy Man. And the entrance looks like this:

Traffic Sign Cafe

It was late afternoon, and I was the only one there. I wasn’t even sure if it was open. Apparently the owner is an artist who uses it as more of a art school space and personal canvas than a coffee shop. All the chairs and tables were made from old motorbike and bicycle parts, including bike pedals for the foot rests on the stools. Along the side wall the owner mounted some old paint cans and then allowed them to drip down the wall (middle of picture below). The whole place feels like something you’d find out in the middle of the dessert in New Mexico or something. The coffee was fine, I won’t rant and rave about it here. But if you’re looking for possibly the most unusual coffee shop in Da Nang, definitely give this place a try.

Apparently they have live music on Saturday nights as well. From talking to the owner, I got the impression it was more like acoustic guitar covers of pop songs from 5 years ago accompanied by a cajon than anything too cutting-edge. But even if you don’t come for the music, it’s a cool place to spend a morning in a part of the city that most people never venture into.

To check out other cool coffee shops in Da Nang, why not come on a morning food tour?