Meet Gina: Hanoi Cà Phê Street Food Truck Owner

Gina is the founder and owner of Hanoi Cà Phê, an independent business serving delicious Vietnamese street food to residents and visitors of Waltham Forest, from a street food truck called ‘Queenie’. 

She started Hanoi Cà Phê to preserve her grandmother’s legacy after she was diagnosed with dementia. 

Together, we’re creating opportunities and helping shape places that people are proud to call home. 

Gina explains:  

“I began Hanoi Cà Phê when my gran was diagnosed with dementia. It became a way for us to connect and for her to share her stories. She passed away at 103 years old, and Hanoi Cà Phê is a tribute to her. When I got the food truck, I named it ‘Queenie’ after my gran.” 

Supported by Waltham Forest, Hanoi Cà Phê is thriving and has recently joined the KERB Street Food organisation, operating from Francis Road Market in Leyton. 

She added:  

“It’s been fabulous coming back to Leyton. This is where I first started Hanoi Cà Phê, so it feels like a lovely homecoming. 

“Waltham Forest has been amazing at supporting local businesses, especially independent and female-run ones. We’ve had such a positive response from the community, and it’s been really great." 

Everyone in Waltham Forest deserves to live in a neighbourhood they’re proud of, with good homes, thriving businesses, vibrant town centres and the infrastructure to support them. Neighbourhood growth works best when the voices of local people shape the decisions that are made. 

As a borough, we are facing big challenges from rising costs and funding pressures to inequality and the climate crisis. We know we can’t tackle these issues alone, but by working together we are making a difference to the things we know matter to residents.  

We know there are so many people contributing to the borough, and we’d love you to share your story of local people or groups doing amazing work in your neighbourhood so we can celebrate them.