Out of all the lakes in Hanoi, West Lake is the biggest and perhaps the most recognizable. Known as Ho Tay to the locals, the area surrounding the lake was once a sleepy backwater before it metamorphosed into one of city’s most affluent neighborhoods. After the construction of a paved road around the lake a couple years ago, the area quickly became home to Vietnam’s socialites and expatriates while boasting plenty of elegant restaurants, chic boutiques, and high end hotels.
On the shore of the lake, sat a turmeric-hued French-style villa that looked like a private home in passing. Three stories high, you’d imagine the homeowners having a great view of West Lake from the comforts of their abode. On closer inspection, you’d notice that the doors had been left open then you realize that you are more than welcomed to enjoy the views with them.
The homeowners it seemed were intent on creating an impactful first impression. The foyer was decorated with antique pieces, rich fabrics, and striking art work that brought an element of eclectic elegance, all while complementing the room’s high ceilings and black and white floor tiles. Patrons are met by the wafting smell of coffee and homemade baked goods, while being greeted with the smiles of the home-turned-shop’s warm staff. Welcome to Maison de Tet Décor.
There is a lot to take in. The people behind the space had obviously spent a great deal of time carefully collecting and arranging every piece in the shop, and in every nook and cranny was a beautiful still-life. Opened by a passionate cook and an equally passionate decorator, Maison de Tet Décor is a space where the pair shares their passions with the community around them. The art featured in the shop are either handcrafted in a personal workshop or old Vietnamese pieces that were curated with care. The pair is so keen on sharing their love of art that they host a market day on the second Sunday of each month where people can buy beautiful pieces of art and even meet the artists who keep traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship alive.
The trend of meticulous decorating continued upstairs in the richly painted dining room and in the lodging-style attic where diners chattered away over crisp salads and scrumptious sandwiches while sipping on fresh juices. The produce used in the kitchen are freshly picked from the shop’s Fragrant Path nature retreat located 40 minutes from the city, an escape from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and a place to immerse yourself in Vietnamese art.
Maison de Tet Décor certainly didn’t cut corners with their coffee either. The shop houses a huge Buhler coffee roasting machine where most people would park their car. Specialty coffees from Vietnam, Sumatera, and all the way from Colombia are freshly roasted every day. Boasting eight signature blends including the smooth Heaven blend made from Colombian, Sumatran, and Vietnamese beans, and the delightfully light and floral Wind blend made from washed Yirgacheffe Ethiopian beans, everyone is bound to find their perfect cup of coffee.
We enjoyed some refreshing green juice and two cups of hot coffee alongside a sweet potato frittata and salmon on toast. The air had a slight chill to it that December, but Maison de Tet Décor’s warm atmosphere certainly warmed us through. The afternoon was promptly spent looking out onto the water and enjoying the great fare the shop had to offer.
Vietnam I quickly learned, is a country of growth and change, and nowhere is that made more obvious than at the shores of West Lake. Although it’s a country headed towards the future, it is also one deeply rooted in tradition. To get a glimpse of the old while looking out at the new, Maison de Tet Décor makes for the perfect afternoon perch.
