Young people in Ho Chi Minh are frequenting cafés not only to quench their thirst or meet friends for a chat, but also, quite recently, to have their portrait painted, to play board games or…to get married!

Cuoi café in an alley in District 3’s Le Van Sy Street has witnessed many fruitful relationships of the city’s young generation, Photo: Tuoi Tre

Chic Portrait Café in BinhThanh district’s Phan Dang Luu Street is a rendezvous for young people who want to have their picture drawn at a bargain price. Despite having to sit still for around 40 minutes, the youngsters patiently wait for the artists to sketch their portraits. 

“The attraction is to experience Zen and wait for your portrait to complete,” said a student patron at the café. 

Located in a small alley near the University of Fine Arts, Chic Portrait also attracts young people who are looking for a special gift for their romantic partners as the café also offers to do a sketch of someone based on their photo.

For those who love board games, Rich Café in District 10’s Su Van Hanh Street is the perfect hangout. Having more 200 sets imported from overseas, the café provides young people a chance to exercise their brain. 

Anh Trang, a student at Ton Duc Thang University is a frequent customer at the place. Her group of friends often visits the café every week to enjoy some drinks while competing with each other. 

“Board game is much better than online game since it does not cause addiction. Instead, it increases communication and interactive skills,” she said.

More than just a place to chill, some cafés also promises some young people a sweet and pleasant walk down their memory lane. 

Cuoi (Wedding, with the rising diacritic) café in an alley in District 3’s Le Van Sy Street has witnessed many fruitful relationships of the city’s young generation. The café owner Le Nguyen Thuy Linh recalled receiving a guest one week after the café was open in April last year. The young man said he was seeking for entertainment as he thought it was Cuoi (Laugh, with the falling diacritic) café. 

After learning that the café also doubles as a romantic studio for couples to take wedding photos in, the man asked, “Do single people get married after coming here?”

“If you are in love, you will get married. If you are married, you will be more in love. And if you are single, you will find love,” answered the owner. 

After four months drinking coffee alone there, the young man one day took his girlfriend to the café, who was leaving the city the next day to study overseas. 

Turning to the owner, the young man gave her a mild complaint that was meant for the girl to hear: “She is leaving me tomorrow. Yet you said people will get married after visiting this café!”

What he said together with his passionate love kept her from leaving. Two months later, they returned to Cuoi café to celebrate a simple and warm wedding reception.

Source: Tuoi Tre