Highlands Coffee – Du Thuyen in Hanoi, Vietnam

Highlands Coffee – Du Thuyen is the 9 Thanh Nien branch of the Vietnamese coffee chain, set beside Truc Bach Lake on the narrow Thanh Nien corridor between Truc Bach and West Lake. The branch is distinctive enough to deserve its own page because the setting differs from a typical street-front Highlands: official listings identify it as “Du Thuyen,” and visitor sources describe a boat-like or floating structure with upper seating overlooking the water. It suits travelers who want an easy introduction to mainstream Vietnamese chain coffee in a scenic location, families and groups needing a familiar menu, and anyone looking for a daytime or evening break near the lakes. The main tradeoff is popularity: the branch can become busy, especially when the weather is pleasant and lake-facing seats are in demand.

The identity and address are current. Highlands Coffee’s own store page lists Du Thuyen at 9 Thanh Nien, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, with the branch hotline and amenities including free Wi-Fi and card payment. Current food-delivery and Hanoi dining directories also show the same address. That matters because generic map searches for “Highlands Coffee” can return one of many Hanoi branches; use the Du Thuyen name or the exact street number so you do not end up at another outlet with a completely different setting.

The menu follows the national Highlands format rather than a special lake-only concept. Current 2026 company pages group the offer into Vietnamese phin coffee, espresso-based drinks, tea, blended “Freeze” beverages, snacks and packaged coffee. Examples published by the operator include iced black phin coffee, phin coffee with condensed milk, bac xiu, Americano, latte, Golden Lotus Tea, fruit teas, Green Tea Freeze and Chocolate Freeze. Light food includes croissants and small baguette-style breadsticks with fillings such as pate or chicken and cheese. Availability can vary by branch and promotion, so those examples are a guide to the style of menu, not a promise that every item will be available at every visit.

Prices are moderate by international coffee-chain standards but vary by product and size. Current Highlands pages show many core drinks in roughly the VND 29,000–69,000 range, with some espresso-based items higher, while packaged coffee and merchandise cost more. The operator explicitly notes that menu availability and promotions can vary by location. If you are comparing value with an independent specialty cafe, remember that Du Thuyen’s advantage is not rare-bean coffee service; it is the combination of a consistent chain menu, air-conditioned or sheltered seating, convenient payment options and a memorable lake setting.

The branch’s physical appeal is strongest upstairs or near the water-facing areas. Tripadvisor reviews describe views across Truc Bach Lake and an upper deck, while Hanoi dining reviews also mention perspectives toward both Truc Bach and West Lake. Those are visitor observations rather than guarantees of a particular table. Seats with the clearest views can fill quickly, and haze, rain or summer heat change the experience. If the view matters more than the drink itself, arrive outside the busiest evening period and be prepared to wait for a preferred seat rather than assuming one will be available immediately.

Published opening times are slightly inconsistent. ShopeeFood currently lists 07:00–23:00, while Foody shows 09:00–23:00 for the same 9 Thanh Nien branch. Another local directory also gives 07:00–23:00. Because the closing time is consistent but the morning start is not, this guide uses 07:00–23:00 with a note to confirm before an early visit. Travelers planning breakfast shortly after 07:00 should verify on the day; anyone arriving from mid-morning onward is less affected by the discrepancy.

The location makes Du Thuyen easy to combine with the Truc Bach and West Lake area. Thanh Nien Road runs beside both lakes, and current transit/location sources place the cafe close to lakeside landmarks including Tran Quoc Pagoda. A taxi or ride-hailing driver can use 9 Thanh Nien as the destination, and the cafe is also practical on foot if you are already exploring Truc Bach. Traffic and heat can make longer walks less attractive at midday, so distance on a map should not be treated as a promise of a comfortable walk in all weather.

A normal stop lasts about forty-five minutes to ninety minutes, though visitors who secure a lake-facing seat may stay longer. The branch works for coffee, tea, a light snack or a rest between nearby sights rather than a destination meal. Wi-Fi and card payment are confirmed by the official store page. Accessibility details are not published clearly enough to promise step-free access throughout the multi-level, boat-like space, so travelers who use wheelchairs or have difficulty with stairs should contact the branch and ask about the entrance and available seating before visiting.

The key to enjoying this branch is to choose it for the setting as much as for the brand. Highlands is a large Vietnamese chain, so travelers seeking small-batch specialty coffee, detailed origin notes or a quiet independent cafe may prefer another stop. Du Thuyen is strongest when you want a recognizable Vietnamese coffee menu, reliable basics and a waterside pause with broad lake views. Confirm the early opening time if necessary, use the exact 9 Thanh Nien address, and allow some flexibility for seating during popular hours.