I recently traveled to Vietnam and visited ICHI Cat Cafe in Ho Chi Minh City. I was very excited to visit an international cat cafe, and the experience did not disappoint. I’m excited to share it with you!
ICHI Cat Cafe is tucked away off a busy street. Cafe visitors come in to an entry area that’s separated from the main room. Upon check-in, as with most cat cafes, visitors are presented with the house rules. We got settled and ordered some drinks to enjoy during our stay.
The cafe houses about a dozen cats, most are permanent residents plus one or two adoptable cats. ICHI is a bit closer to the original cat cafe concept first introduced in Japan, where cats live in the cafe and people can visit and spend time with them. In the US, the cat cafe concept has been modified as a place to showcase adoptable cats. ICHI has a little of both, in a city that is not hospitable to cats in general, so I was thrilled to find a place run by people who truly care about cats.
They’ve done an excellent job catifying the space! The main room isn’t very large, but there are plenty of places for both cats and visitors to hangout. Cat trees, sofas, tables and chairs are placed throughout the room and a wonderful catwalk stretches along two walls. Several cats were snoozing on the catwalk while I was there.
As you can see, the cats are right at home, welcoming guests into their space. ICHI has some very fancy cats, including British Shorthair and Maine Coon cats. These were some of the most mellow cats I’ve ever met!
The space is also nicely decorated. Fun cat art adorns the walls and little touches of cat decor can be found throughout the cafe.
There are lots of toys for visitors to grab and interact with the cats, or you can simply chill and spend time petting a purring friend.
On the way out, there are lots of souvenirs available for purchase to remember your visit, so of course I went on a little shopping spree! I even grabbed some treats to take home to my cats.
I got to chat with some of the staff and they are true cat lovers! A big thank you to them for creating a welcoming atmosphere for cat lovers and for helping as many stray cats as they can to find loving forever homes. If you’re ever in Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to stop by ICHI Cat Cafe!
In all of my years – and travels – as a cat-loving human, I’ve NEVER heard of a Cat Cafe! What a delight to my senses to learn of such places! Very grateful to this particular one in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where it was inferred that cats [and probably other domestic animals] are not so lovingly accepted.
Great appreciation for your educational sharing here! >^..^<
Who would have thought to find a really, really nice cat cafe staffed by caring cat lovers in Ho Chi Minh City? ICHI looks like a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing with us — I’m sharing on social media, too 😉