Tay Ho: Garden cafe overflowing with Christmas teddy bears.
A cafe located in an alley off Lac Long Quan Street (Xuan La, Tay Ho) is decorated with teddy bears, Christmas trees, and artificial snow sprayed at scheduled times, attracting young people to take photos, but the quality of the drinks is considered not commensurate with the price.
Tucked away in a small alley on Lac Long Quan Street (Xuan La, Tay Ho), this garden cafe is adorned with a vibrant Christmas atmosphere, featuring teddy bears of all sizes, snow-covered Christmas trees, and gift boxes lining the walkways. Many young people come here to take Christmas photos, experience artificial snow spraying, and utilize the quiet corners for studying or working.
Christmas space in a small alley off Lac Long Quan Street.
Right from the entrance, visitors pass through clumps of hydrangeas, feeling as if they've stepped into a small garden in the middle of a festive season. The green of the leaves and the pinkish-purple of the flowers create a soft backdrop for Christmas-themed photos.
Inside, the central courtyard is designed in a rustic style with two parallel red tiled roofs and a gravel path leading to a wooden seating area. In the middle is a koi pond, surrounded by greenery and flowers, becoming a relaxing focal point amidst the vibrant overall decor.
One corner of the garden is covered in greenery and equipped with a misting system. When taking photos here, visitors feel as if they are standing amidst a thin layer of mist, surrounded by foliage, creating a soft and hazy visual effect, perfect for those who prefer a gentle and serene setting.
Teddy bears covered everything from the garden to the second floor.
The most striking feature of the cafe is its teddy bears. Since the end of October, bears have been displayed throughout the space, accompanied by decorative gift packages to make it easy for customers to pose for photos. The bears appear along the balconies, window frames, on the seats, and in small corners.
The second-floor facade is striking with its foam eaves creating a frozen snow effect. Windows adorned with red bows, pine wreaths, and teddy bears, alongside a snow-covered pine tree, evoke the feeling of a miniature winter house.
Stepping inside the second floor, the large Christmas tree in the center of the room is the focal point of every picture. Surrounding it are numerous gift boxes, creating a festive atmosphere. The wall behind it features tall, densely packed bookshelves, adorned with teddy bears and wreaths, evoking the cozy ambiance of a family living room during the holiday season.
From the ceiling, balcony, and staircase to the corners of the tables and chairs, there are stuffed animals everywhere. The teddy bears are mainly in brown and yellow tones, blending with the wood and yellow lighting, making the overall space warm and inviting rather than bright and dazzling.
Artificial snow spraying and a unique check-in experience.
To enhance the winter atmosphere, the cafe sprays artificial snow at three times a day: 10 AM, 4 PM, and 8 PM. During these times, the snow foam covers the space, creating a unique visual effect, especially against the backdrop of pine trees, foam roofs, and teddy bears.
Huong Giang, 22 years old, living in Hai Ba Trung ward, arrived at the cafe at 3:30 PM to take Christmas photos after seeing a description on TikTok. She said that the actual space was quite similar to the images online, from the arrangement of teddy bears to the color scheme of the decorations.
However, Giang expressed apprehension about the snow spray effect. She shared that she was initially excited thinking it was fluffy snow, but when she learned that it was actually soap powder, which easily sticks to her hair and clothes, she decided not to take photos in that area.
If you want to experience the snow-spraying effect but minimize getting covered in soap suds, you can choose to stand a little further away from the spraying point, or prepare tissues and a jacket for easy cleaning after the photoshoot.
A space for studying and chatting.
Besides the photo-worthy spots, the cafe divides its space into various seating areas, suitable for taking pictures, chatting, and studying. Natural light from the windows combined with warm yellow lighting ensures clear photos without being too harsh for those working for extended periods.
Linh Chi, a second-year student living near West Lake, says she goes to cafes one to four times a week, mainly to change her environment and find a quiet place to study. Important criteria for her include good lighting and a quiet location.
Before arriving, Chi worried the cafe would be too crowded and noisy because many people would be there to take photos for Christmas. However, in reality, the cafe didn't play any music, and the upstairs area was quite quiet, perfect for reading or working while still being able to take some pictures with the Christmas tree and teddy bears around.
Drinks, pastries, and prices
The cafe's drink menu is quite diverse, including milk tea, iced tea, matcha, fruit juices, coffee, and cold brew. Prices range from 35,000 to 70,000 VND per glass. The drinks are attractively decorated, perfect for taking photos in a Christmas setting.
However, some customers felt that the quality of the drinks didn't match the price. Linh Chi shared that she ordered a longan milk tea for 60,000 VND but found the tea flavor not strong enough, feeling it wasn't "worth the money."
Besides drinks, the cafe serves a variety of pastries. Cold desserts include matcha tiramisu and chocolate; baked goods include carrot and cheese, caramel chocolate sauce, and two-flavor brownies; fruit-flavored cream cakes such as matcha strawberry, yogurt mango cream, and cookies. Prices for the cakes range from 35,000 to 50,000 VND.
The total cost per person, if ordering a drink and a pastry, usually ranges from 70,000 to 120,000 VND, depending on the selection from the menu.
Things to note when visiting the restaurant during Christmas season.
- Best time to visit:Morning or early afternoon is ideal for taking photos with natural light; 10 am, 4 pm, and 8 pm are suitable if you want to experience artificial snow spray.
- Skin:You should prepare warm-toned clothing such as red, brown, or beige to blend in with the teddy bear and Christmas tree theme; if you plan to stand near the artificial snow area, avoid wearing clothes that easily trap soap suds.
- Length of stay:For visitors primarily interested in photography, 1-2 hours is sufficient to explore the garden, the second floor, and the main decorative areas; if you wish to combine it with studying or working, you can allocate more time.
- Expected experience:This cafe is suitable for those who prioritize decor, Christmas photo spots, and teddy bears; for those who place more emphasis on drink quality, it's advisable to check reviews beforehand to make an informed choice.