Hale Ola

Hale Ola is a restaurant and bar on Hai Bà Trưng street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, that offers views of the adjacent Tân Định Church. The establishment occupies an adaptively reused Southern Vietnamese modernist building. Its location provides direct sightlines to the historic pink church from multiple levels. The venue’s design concept blends Hawaiian cultural themes with Vietnamese elements.

The interior spaces feature a modern, tropical style. The design includes a green front yard, murals by local artists, and extensive use of plants like banana and monstera leaves. The restaurant is spread across several floors. It includes a ground-floor bar, a main dining room on the first floor, and a second-floor balcony and rooftop area for open-air seating. The name Hale Ola draws inspiration from Hawaiian words for home and life.

The menu combines Modern European dishes with international and Vietnamese flavors. Chef Jonathan Koh leads the kitchen, creating a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu. Offerings include fusion dishes, Hawaiian-inspired plates like poke bowls, and classic comfort foods. The bar serves a full menu of cocktails, wine, craft beer, and coffee. The venue operates as a café during the day and transitions to a restaurant and bar in the evening.

The multi-level space accommodates various dining formats, from daytime coffee to full dinner service. The rooftop bar area hosts live acoustic music on select evenings. The building’s architecture and its direct view of the landmark church make it a recognized spot. It sits on a busy street, with its entrance designed to frame the view of the church.