In Central Square, every block tells a story. Some stories arrive quietly over time. Others arrive with bold flavor, vibrant energy, and a deep sense of purpose.

For Vin and Duong, the couple behind Saigon Babylon and Cicada Coffee Bar, opening businesses in the Square was never just about serving great food and coffee. It was about creating spaces where culture, community, and tradition could thrive.

Their journey is part of a larger truth that defines the neighborhood: in Central Square, the world lives here.

Carrying Traditions From Home

Like many entrepreneurs who have shaped the Square over the decades, Vin and Duong brought more than a business idea with them. They brought stories, traditions, and a deep connection to their heritage.

Those influences appear everywhere in their work. In the flavors coming out of the kitchen at Saigon Babylon. In the thoughtful atmosphere of Cicada Coffee Bar. And in the way they welcome guests into spaces that feel both personal and communal.

Their businesses reflect the traditions they carried with them and the new experiences they are building here in Cambridge.

Building Community Through Hospitality

Restaurants and cafés often become gathering places long before people realize it.

At Saigon Babylon and Cicada Coffee Bar, you’ll find neighbors catching up over coffee, students taking a break between classes, and visitors discovering new flavors and cultures. It’s the kind of everyday interaction that gives Central Square its character.

Behind the scenes, Vin and Duong have also built a team that reflects the diversity and energy of the neighborhood itself. The people who work in their spaces help bring that vision to life every day.

Together, they have created businesses that are not only successful but deeply connected to the community around them.

A Story That Reflects Central Square

The story of Vin and Duong is one example of the many entrepreneurial journeys that make Central Square what it is today.

Across the neighborhood, business owners from around the world have chosen to plant roots here, bringing their cultures, creativity, and ambitions with them. Over time, those stories layer together, shaping a district that feels both local and global at the same time.

That is the heart of the “The World Lives Here” campaign: celebrating the people who chose Central Square to start businesses, grow them, raise families, and leave a lasting mark on the community.

Vin and Duong’s journey reminds us that when bold dreamers choose to invest in a place, they help transform it.

And in Central Square, those dreams come from every corner of the world.

🎥 Video produced by David Matthews Jr. of Camayah Visuals.: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVbXNbQALND/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==