Dang Thai Than: Where Hue’s Million-View Flavour Was Born

Tucked close to the Imperial City and other historic sites, Đặng Thái Thân (Dang Thai Than) Street is never overly noisy, yet it is always busy with visitors – all for one simple reason: the original Salt Coffee shop.

Address: 10 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province (The first, original shop on Dang Thai Than has now moved to Nguyen Luong Bang, but in the minds of local people it is still “Dang Thai Than Salt Coffee” – the place where this brand first rose to fame.)

Ambience: The café has a truly rustic, understated charm that feels very Hue. There is no need for elaborate décor; sometimes it is just familiar plastic stools. Yet this very simplicity creates an unexpectedly comfortable, down-to-earth atmosphere. When you come here, you are not only drinking coffee – you are also experiencing the slow, unhurried rhythm of local life.

What Makes Hue’s Salt Coffee So Irresistible?

If this is your first time trying it, you may well ask: “Salt? Will it be too salty?”

The answer lies in the many layers of flavour in this special cup.

First sip (a gentle saltiness): On top is a thick, whipped salted cream – rich and silky. The saltiness is very mild, just enough to wake up your taste buds without ever feeling harsh.

Aromas (deep, robust coffee): Beneath the cream is a layer of traditional Vietnamese filter coffee – dark, strong and intensely fragrant. The coffee here is brewed in the full-bodied style typical of Central Vietnam.

Harmony (a burst of flavour): When you lightly stir the cup (or simply drink from top to bottom), the slight bitterness of the coffee blends with the rich, lightly salty cream. The result is a perfectly balanced flavour. Your palate is taken on a journey – from surprise, to curiosity, and finally to genuine delight.

A small tip: Try first touching your lips to the salted cream on top before drinking down into the coffee layer. This way, you can feel the full transition of flavours. It is an experience every visitor to Hue should try at least once.

An Authentic Hue-Style “Instagram Corner”

It may not be a glamorous check-in café, but the original Salt Coffee shop on Dang Thai Than (and the new location) offers a background that is both distinctive and utterly authentic.

Focus on the cup: A close-up shot of the salt coffee – with its fluffy cream layer and deep brown coffee beneath – is enough to create a mouth-watering, Hue-style food photo.

Rustic surroundings: Capture the moment you sit and sip amidst simple surroundings, with motorbikes and traffic gliding gently past. This is the true Hue “vibe” many travellers come looking for.

Suggested Itinerary: Salt Coffee and Nearby Sights

After fuelling up with a rich cup of salt coffee at the original shop on Nguyen Luong Bang / Dang Thai Than, you are only a short walk or a few minutes’ ride away from some of Hue’s most famous historic sights.

Here are the places you should not miss:

Hue Imperial City (Dai Noi / Hoang Thanh)

Distance: Very close – less than 10 minutes by motorbike from the café.

Experience: As the political and ceremonial heart of the Nguyen Dynasty, the Imperial City is a must-see. Here you can admire imposing royal architecture, palaces and gates. Early morning is the best time to visit, when the air is cool and the crowds are thinner.

Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

Distance: Located within the Imperial City area, convenient to combine in the same visit.

Experience: This museum preserves thousands of precious Nguyen Dynasty artefacts, from fine porcelain and intricately carved wooden objects to court costumes. It is an ideal stop for anyone who loves culture and history.

Thien Mu Pagoda (Linh Mu Tu)

Distance: Around 4–5 km from the café, following the romantic banks of the Perfume River.

Experience: One of the oldest and most sacred pagodas in Hue, famous for its seven-storey Phuoc Duyen Tower. Visit in the late afternoon to watch the sun set over the Perfume River – a wonderfully peaceful and romantic scene.

Perfume River and Truong Tien Bridge

Distance: Truong Tien Bridge sits in the city centre, about 2–3 km from the café.

Experience: Stroll along the Perfume River, especially in the evening when Truong Tien Bridge is lit up in vibrant colours. This is one of Hue’s most iconic sights and a perfect place to end a day of exploration.

With such a prime location, Hue’s original Salt Coffee shop is not only a culinary stop, but also the perfect starting point for a journey through the landmarks that define the former imperial capital.

Are you ready to plan a full “Food Tour & Sightseeing” day in Hue?