Manzi Art Space and Cafe brings contemporary art and a quiet cafe together in a colonial-era house at 14 P. Phan Huy Ích in Hanoi’s Ba Đình district. Head upstairs to see a changing selection of paintings and other work by Vietnamese artists, then settle downstairs with a coffee or fruit drink. Exhibitions and cultural events add another reason to check what is on during your visit. It’s a calm place to pause, read or work away from the busy streets, with tables downstairs and a gallery above.
Art in a colonial-era house
Manzi combines a contemporary art space with a cafe in a colonial-era house at 14 P. Phan Huy Ích, in Hanoi’s Ba Đình district. Its old-house setting gives the galleries a different feel from a purpose-built exhibition venue, while the art on display brings a contemporary focus to the visit.
The exhibitions change, so the work you see depends on when you arrive. Paintings and other works by Vietnamese artists have been shown here, including artists early in their careers as well as established names. The programme has also included visual art, talks, workshops, book events, film screenings, music and dance. Check what is scheduled before setting out if you want to plan around a particular exhibition or event.
How to explore the space
The cafe is downstairs, with gallery space upstairs. Make time to look at the current exhibition before settling in for a drink; the changing displays are a central part of what makes Manzi worth visiting. Art has included paintings across different styles and subjects, as well as prints and sculptures. The exact selection changes with the programme.
The building has a leafy front garden, and the interior retains details associated with its older architecture. Upstairs, the gallery provides room to view the works; downstairs, the tables are better suited to sitting with a laptop. The upstairs space has also been described as a quieter place to read or talk. There is no single fixed route through the experience: you can come for an exhibition, a cafe stop or both.
Coffee, fruit drinks and a pause
The cafe serves coffee and drinks including fruit juice. Options mentioned include iced latte, mocha, matcha, watermelon juice and fresh pineapple with mint. If you order the pineapple and mint, you can ask for it without sugar. The small downstairs seating area can fill up, so a quieter visit may make it easier to find a place to sit.
Manzi’s art programme has included public projects as well as events at the venue. One project, Into Thin Air, uses an app and headphones to connect virtual artworks with public sites around Hanoi. If you are interested in attending a talk, screening, workshop or performance, check the current programme rather than assuming an event will be on during your visit.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for Manzi Art Space?
The gallery has been described as free to view. Check the current programme for details of any specific event.
What can you see at Manzi Art Space?
The exhibitions change and include contemporary work by Vietnamese artists. The programme has also included talks, workshops, film screenings, music and dance.
Can you get coffee at Manzi Art Space?
Yes. The cafe downstairs serves coffee and drinks including iced latte, matcha, mocha and fruit juice.
Where is Manzi Art Space and Cafe?
It is at 14 P. Phan Huy Ích in Hanoi’s Ba Đình district.
