The Philosophy of Hanoi House Café
In Vietnamese Culture
Hanoi was not where I was born, but it was where I spent twelve years of my “thanh xuân” — my twenties. It was there I studied, fell in love for the first time, felt my first heartbreak, started my first job, and shaped the philosophies that guide my life today. Every street, every café, every corner of that city holds pieces of who I am.
It was these memories that inspired the name Hanoi House — a home for the heart and senses, carrying the warmth, charm, and soul of those formative years to every guest who walks through our doors. Just like a house in Hanoi, our café is a place to gather, linger, and feel at home, whether you are here alone or with friends.
Here in Zanzibar, we bring that spirit to life. Every sip — bold, sweet, or creamy — invites you to slow down, reflect, and savor the moment. Our café is where Vietnamese coffee culture meets island rhythm, where warmth, patience, and care infuse every cup.
Our Journey
The Start
In 2021, I was simply looking for a small corner to call an “office.” Somewhere I could work a bit with the computer, and offficilaize my company with a “physical address” as required and, if I was lucky, I can have my own morning coffee without hustling finding it – something that felt as rare as finding gold back then.
My local business partner introduced me to his unfinished building right along the main road in Paje. I sat there among the raw cement and open beams, watching cows wander past to rest in the shade and boda bodas racing by with their constant hum. Strangely, the noise and chaos didn’t feel foreign at all — it reminded me of the bustling, busy streets of Hanoi where I grew up.
In that unlikely moment, surrounded by dust, laughter, and the rhythm of everyday life, I began to dream. I imagined a place where Vietnamese coffee could brew slowly amidst the island heat, where bowls of noodles carried the warmth of Hanoi, and where both locals and travelers could pause from the rush outside to share food, stories, and connection.
That day of dreaming in an unfinished building became the seed of Hanoi House Café Paje — a little piece of Hanoi brought to Zanzibar, built on warmth, community, and the simple joy of gathering around good coffee and food. And not just stop there, Hanoi House become our first Franchised brand to bring Vietnamese Coffee Culture to other part of the island.
The Blossom
What started as a few fun cooking nights with friends quickly turned into something much bigger. Word spread, and soon people across Zanzibar were asking me to cook and deliver meals from my home kitchen. This unexpected demand led to invitations to cook at pop-up events for various restaurants, hotels, and farmers’ markets. And just like that, Duyen – Vietnamese Homecooking was born.
By September 2020, I made the bold decision to leave my role as a Hotel Manager and fully devote myself to creating a Vietnamese restaurant. Shortly after, I discovered Rasta Beach Bar in Jambiani, where I began with a humble setup: a menu of four dishes, ten tables, a home gas cooker, two frying pans, and a heart full of hope and dreams.
It wasn’t easy—finding key ingredients and training chefs from scratch to bring authentic Vietnamese flavors to Zanzibar was a challenge. During the first 3.5 years, I’m incredibly proud of our team for building Duyên into the first Vietnamese restaurant in East Africa, and one of the first three Asian restaurants on the island.
To Be Continued
As a result of Zanzibar development, we were asked to relocate and return the land to the previous hotel for villa construction. In the midst of our search for a new home, Matlai graciously offered us space in their kitchen and beach restaurant, allowing us to continue serving our Vietnamese cuisine to our loyal patrons while I can continue chasing further dreams with new projects. This marks the beginning of a new chapter—the first franchise model of the Duyen Menu. We’ve carefully selected the most iconic dishes from our original menu for Matlai, and we’re still working on enhancing the Vietnamese dining experience even further.
The Start
When the pandemic of Covid-19 hit early 2020, I found myself stranded in paradise, unable to return to Vietnam. For six months, I stayed on this beautiful island, longing for the comforting dishes from home. Despite never having cooked before—and frankly, not being very good at it—I decided to learn, with my mom guiding me through video chats. Cooking had never been my passion, nor had I ever dreamed of becoming a chef. But during the lockdown, it became my lifeline. It connected me with the local community, allowed me to share my culture, and made me feel less alone as the only Vietnamese person on the island. Through cooking, I found friendship and created a new life in Zanzibar.
The Blossom
What started as a few fun cooking nights with friends quickly turned into something much bigger. Word spread, and soon people across Zanzibar were asking me to cook and deliver meals from my home kitchen. This unexpected demand led to invitations to cook at pop-up events for various restaurants, hotels, and farmers’ markets. And just like that, Duyen – Vietnamese Homecooking was born.
By September 2020, I made the bold decision to leave my role as a Hotel Manager and fully devote myself to creating a Vietnamese restaurant. Shortly after, I discovered Rasta Beach Bar in Jambiani, where I began with a humble setup: a menu of four dishes, ten tables, a home gas cooker, two frying pans, and a heart full of hope and dreams.
It wasn’t easy—finding key ingredients and training chefs from scratch to bring authentic Vietnamese flavors to Zanzibar was a challenge. During the first 3.5 years, I’m incredibly proud of our team for building Duyên into the first Vietnamese restaurant in East Africa, and one of the first three Asian restaurants on the island.
To Be Continued
As a result of Zanzibar development, we were asked to relocate and return the land to the previous hotel for villa construction. In the midst of our search for a new home, Matlai graciously offered us space in their kitchen and beach restaurant, allowing us to continue serving our Vietnamese cuisine to our loyal patrons while I can continue chasing further dreams with new projects. This marks the beginning of a new chapter—the first franchise model of the Duyen Menu. We’ve carefully selected the most iconic dishes from our original menu for Matlai, and we’re still working on enhancing the Vietnamese dining experience even further.
Our Food Menu
Our Drinks Menu
Our Drinks Menu
Our Team
Jovitha and Betha joined us with no background in cooking, no knowledge of recipes, and no professional training. What they brought instead was curiosity, dedication, and the courage to learn. Step by step, from washing herbs to folding dumplings, they grew into confident cooks, carrying the soul of Duyên in every dish they serve. Training from scratch is our way of honoring the spirit of homecooking: patient, hands-on, and full of love. Our team reflects what Duyên stands for—not perfection, but sincerity, not formality, but connection
Jovitha - Head Chef
Betha - Sou Chef
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