Amid the noise and crowd of Saigon lies a quiet and unassuming yet strong figure which gives one a taste of the peacefulness of Tibet in the heart of the busy city: Tibetan Coffee. As the name suggests, Tibetan Coffee has its main influence from Tibet, but also a little from its neighboring countries Nepal and India, the latter being the origin of Buddhism. To look authentic, the coffee shop is designed after the Tibetan culture, a small but eye-catching establishment with colorful drawings on a red wooden door. Moreover, the door handle of the shop is made of metal shaped like a winged woman with a snake on her head, in deep meditation. Unlike most coffee shops whose front doors are always open and surrounded with friendly, eager staff, the front door of Tibetan Coffee stays closed except when someone is passing through the doorway. Therefore, there is more privacy and serenity.

To add more privacy and tranquility to the place, the front door is even covered with albeit a thin cloth curtain decorated with festive Asian designs. A reddish-yellowish light adds a soft illumination to the place. Frankincense adds a serene scent to the shop while the Tibetan-Sanskrit chant “Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum” can be heard adding a peaceful melody to the whole place. The chant means “Jewel in the Lotus,” the sacred flower of Buddhism.

The furniture at the coffee shop all came from Tibet, including a wooden Buddha statue, Buddha and Dalai Lama altars, and assorted ceramic pots. Blue, green, yellow, orange and white parey flags fill up the ceiling, while the walls are decorated with Tbetan monks and the people of the Himalayan nation. Incense sticks, handmade bead strings and plant-extracted perfume further provide both beauty and peacefulness to the area.

The second floor serves as a waiting area wherein clients can sit and wait comfortably in colorful but rest-inducing furniture and ornaments. The third floor is specifically designed for meditation and repose wherein the area is so quiet and spiritual you cannot hear nor anyone dares to make a sound.

Tibetan Coffee serves 70 kinds of beverages. They also offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Tibetan tea and smoothies are just some of the must-trys in the place, especially with interesting names like Dream Catch-up, Heart's Guardian, Escape, and Good Daughter-in-Law.

In Saigon where everything seems to be always abuzz and in a hurry, Tibetan Coffee provides a peaceful alternative where one can find albeit temporary but a spiritual and indeed lasting sense of serenity.